YouTube. Created in 2005, known by virtually everyone today. It is accessible and free to viewers with an Internet connection, and free for producers as well. Its slogan “Broadcast Yourself” rings true for many people. Anyone with a camera and an Internet connection can share their videos with the entire world. Talented individuals can get recognition and exposure through YouTube and launch their careers (and even untalented individuals such as Justin Bieber can have success).
I am a big fan of YouTube, but there’s two things I don’t really like about it: advertisements and copyrights. Having to watch a 30 second ad for a 10 second clip is kind of annoying. It would be a lot better if the site had ads on the main page, but not interrupting the actual videos. As for the copyright issues, I understand where they are coming from, but it would be nice to watch highlight from last night’s game on YouTube. I’ve found that some leagues don’t care as much as others, but the MLB is particularly vigilant about removing any footage from a live game. They should just see it as extra exposure, and a way to draw more fans.
YouTube can also be a great source to learn how to do something. While learning guitar a couple of years ago, YouTube was extremely helpful. All I had to do was type in a name of a song, and I could easily find a video of someone teaching you how to play it. YouTube is great, and can be educational, entertaining, and inspiring.
I think worst of all is when you have to watch a 15 or 30 second ad before watching a 30 second movie trailer. The movie trailer is an ad itself, don't force us to watch an ad that is equal in length to the ad that we are about to watch! I guess it is because you are voluntarily going to watch the movie trailer and that creates an opportunity to target people with similar interests to that movie with an ad. Regardless, it is very annoying. Just when I thought the Internet couldn't get any more commercialized ads seem to be getting even more popular and are placed in increasingly unexpected places.
ReplyDeleteWhy not embed the videos, rather than these images?
ReplyDeleteI do think most of us find ads and restrictions frustrating, but what does that say about our own expectations regard media?
Good comment, now even our advertising comes with advertising!