Growing up with YouTube, I've watched the site develop and expand a great deal. It started out as a place for people to watch music videos, movie clips, etc. Since starting in 2005, the corporation has expanded a great deal as it's popularity has increased. YouTube now includes almost every genre you can think of- comedy, fitness, politics, entertainment, beauty & fashion, lifestyle, personal vlogging etc.

I think what made YouTube so popular is the freedom it allows. Users are able to post almost anything they want to voice their opinions on a larger scale. Any person can sign up, and post a video of any genre to share with the world. There's no stopping people who want to share their political rants or comedic sketches mocking celebrities. This endless freedom allows YouTubers to be as creative, silly, serious or informative as they desire.

Another aspect people love about YouTube is the ability to become *famous*. Any ordinary person, whether they're living in Kansas or California has the ability to gain popularity worldwide. All they have to do is post "viral" content and sit back and watch the views flow in. Also, if a person gains immense popularity on YouTube they have the ability to add advertisements to their videos and essentially make a living out of their channel. It seems ridiculous that people are paid for the number of views they receive, but that's also how movies and television shows function. So, YouTuber's are pretty much the stars of this site- bringing in more traffic, sponsorships, advertisers, etc. and contributing to the overall popularity of this website. Users who post content have endless opportunities to rise to fame and enjoy the benefits.

On the other hand, introverted viewers like myself love the ability to get to know a random person from the comfort of your own home. YouTuber's are a more personal version of reality tv stars because you can watch them in their most natural environment and get to know their personality- rather than a fake one. This personal aspect of YouTube is probably the most appealing- allowing viewers to be entertained by an actual person, rather than a scripted one.

We are the generation of technology, so there's no surprise that YouTube is widely embraced by everyone. Every person can find something they enjoy or can benefit from on the site. I can't imagine this website disappearing in the years to come, due to its diversity, along with immense popularity and economic benefits. YouTube is here to stay- so kick your feet up, relax, and catch up on some Shane Dawson.