The website that defines Generation Z. Many of today's modern youth, as well as others around the world, are familiar with the simple concept of YouTube. What started as a platform for cat videos evolved into a place where people have built their careers on. It's really fascinating how entertainment has changed over Youtube.
Imagination
People have built their channels based on what they're passionate about. Honestly, whatever you want to watch you can practically find it (within reason of course). Some creators even come up with ideas that nobody thought would find entertaining.
For instance, a creator named Simone Giertz makes videos of funny robots that fail at basic tasks like cutting vegetables. It's that kind of imagination that makes history and lives better.
Community
It's also surprising how friendships and potentially relationships are made through a common interest. Some creators bring in thousands even millions of people together because of the content they make. I even made a few friends because of YouTube, and we talk everyday.
Obviously, it can be dangerous to talk to people online, but there are times where you find good people. With webcams, social media, and streaming, it could be easy to find one's true intentions.
Philanthropy
With all this potential comes opportunity. Creators have been able to find new ways to help others. For instance, a group of YouTubers who play Call of Duty particularly the Zombies game mode hosted a friendly competition amongst themselves. The competition was to see which team of creators can complete the Easter Eggs (complex challenge) the fastest. All of the creators would broadcast it live on their channels while promoting the work of St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
They also were able to accept donations to the hospital from viewers while the competition was going on. The competition was called Easter Eggs for Charity which raised over $100k in its latest year. This was all because of an interest and a platform.
Business
YouTube has grown so much to the point where it has become a major business platform. Many companies have taken YouTube as a way to reach new audiences by advertising of course. Advertisements appear before videos and during videos.
Even some of the creators are personally sponsored to promote companies and products in their videos. This could easily hinder their content, but some creators have successfully incorporated them into their videos like nothing happened. From a business perspective, it's a really good marketing opportunity, but from a consumer perspective, I just want to watch the video.
Inspiration
YouTube is a simple source of entertainment. I've spent a lot of hours just watching YouTube about gaming, golf, and so much more. Those videos can change moods, teach you a lot, and inspire others. One of the good things about creativity is that it can spread amongst the world over and over again.
It has given people the opportunity to express themselves in a whole new different way. Again, some have built a career out of it. Just like everything else in life, doing so requires hard work and determination.
After all, YouTube did inspire this article after all.