In 2008, Shane Dawson began posting videos on YouTube. His video blogs or “vlogs” consisted of him speaking straight to the camera, with nothing more than interesting stories and a sharp sense of humor.
Dawson was only one of many people who began uploading personal videos after YouTube’s debut in the late 2000s. Some users covered popular songs or made how-to guides. But each video had a simplicity that made gave viewers entertaining, short glimpses into others’ lives.
Now, in 2013, “YouTube celebrity” is a term with some weight attached to it. The video-hosting site has evolved into its own world — a Hollywood imitation with feuds and jealousy, marketing and gimmicks.
Dawson now has over 4 million subscribers to his Youtube channel, ShaneDawsonTV. His “vlogs” have become elaborately produced sketches. Even when they’re personal, the videos are hyped on Twitter and Facebook to the point where Dawson is no longer someone sharing his life with the Internet. Instead, he is a character.
YouTube has made an incredible transformation. Its first video, posted by the website’s co-founder Jawed Karim in 2005, was called “Me at the Zoo.” The 20-second clip consists of Karim talking about elephants while standing in front of an exhibit. Eight years later, about 100 hours of video are uploaded every hour. Gatherings such as VidCon, which hosted over 12,000 attendees in 2013, display the extent to which YouTube’s influence has risen.
Sitting in front of your laptop’s built-in webcam and discussing your life, debating topics in the news or clumsily playing a song on the piano is no longer the type of video users view. Channels with the most subscribers have elaborate gimmicks. Some play through video games while offering entertaining commentary. Others, like comedy website Smosh, have become legitimate brands. Other YouTube successes are full-fledged series, like “Epic Rap Battles of History” and “The Annoying Orange.”
Although its evolution into something associated with celebrity has made it more intimidating and less accessible to the average person looking to upload content, YouTube has revolutionized the way we consume media and is continuing to make a social impact. Sometimes, being over the top simply works.
A version of this article appeared in the Thursday, Dec. 5 print edition. Valerie Nelson is The Highlighter Editor. Email her at [email protected].
