Youtube way of life: We re-invented the Remix

Posted on 22. Aug, 2009 by AndrewSmiles in Entertainment, Games & Technology

Who needs TV, radio, libraries, books or school we have Youtube

In the past year I like many others have been turning to youtube more and more for everyday information. For instance in the time of the Iran elections, when there were violent protests, many of the protesters were recording footage with their phones and uploading videos onto youtube. On one hand the government in Iran were saying it was illegal and all recording of the events should seize. However on the other hand news channels like Sky loved it as people were taking journalism into their own hands. The government is losing its grip on media, we are gaining control, and we are Re-inventing the Remix!

More recently I have been using Youtube to teach myself how to use various applications such as Photoshop. There are thousands if not millions of how to guides on Youtube. How to teach your child to walk, how to teach your dog to listen and even How to use Youtube…

The scary thing I have noticed about Youtube is that it is taking Over! Yes literally taking Over, because not even Youtube can control itself. For instance the video above explains how to avoid copyright on Youtube and basically allow you to upload music videos so that Youtube cannot take it down as they have been for the past few months. Another illustration of the lack of control Youtube has is in the Piracy sphere (check out my Piracy article), you can learn how to download Youtube video’s, download songs and even Pirate movies for FREE all on Youtube.

The Youtube Dilemma

Now the problem or opportunity that Youtube has, is to either spend millions on clamping down on regulation of video’s being posted however this will go against their mission statement which says’ “People can see first-hand accounts of current events, find videos about their hobbies and interests and discover the quirky and unusual. As more people capture special moments on video, YouTube is empowering them to become the broadcasters of tomorrow. “ So it looks more likely (and more profitable) for youtube to not only allow people to post whatever they want (as long as it’s not explicit)…. Youtube should encourage its users to post whatever they want. In turn we the users get a fairer picture of the world and a hell of a lot of entertainment.

What does the future hold?….

Who knows where our beloved Youtube will take us. Could it outgrow radio or the TV?? Is it more convenient in modern day as 1 in 4 households (In the Uk) have the internet and therefore access to Youtube?? Only time will tell…. One thing’s for sure we are in control, it is our future so let’s shape it!