Youtube personalities, ranging from the smallest gaming channels to the biggest beauty vlogs, have connected with people all over the world. With the Youtube Empire growing with every new creator, it’s time to ask the question: how far will Youtube rise?
With over 300 hours of video being uploaded to Youtube every minute, it’s no surprise that people today can sit at their computers with an endless supply of content to watch. From beauty tutorials to comedy sketches to vlogs—you name it, and Youtube probably has it. The rise of content on the site has led to the increasing irrelevance of traditional media and a dependance on the video platform for entertainment and news. Since its start in 2005, Youtube has garnered a community of stars—one of them being site veteran Shane Dawson.
Creators like Dawson are one aspect of Youtube that has enabled the website to grow into the empire that it is today. Youtube creators, contrary to their mainstream television counterparts, naturally have a more personal connection with their viewers, and the content they make is catered directly to what subscribers want to see. Not to mention, Youtube is much more easily accessible than other forms of media, and it’s free, unlike other video platforms like Netflix.
Having started in the Youtube community in 2008, Dawson has gained increasing recognition for his chilling conspiracy theories. Recently, he has spearheaded a new direction for Youtube entertainment with the creation of his multi-part documentary style videos. Nothing less than hard hitting, Dawson’s videos began to skyrocket in popularity after the release of the series following Tana Mongeau and the Tanacon fiasco that took place this past summer.
STAR OR SOCIOPATH: Dawson’s newest documentary series, “The Mind of Jake Paul,” tackles the toxic temperament of notorious Youtube creators.
Following the Tanacon series, Dawson released another set of videos—a five-part documentary on the eccentric makeup artist Jeffree Star. Prior to the release, Star was judged solely for his luxurious lifestyle and history of igniting online drama. However, Dawson’s documentary shows a perspective of Star that no one has ever seen before—one that is more raw and authentic than his previously perceived persona. By tearing down the facade of this big bad internet star, Dawson humanizes him and shows that he is more relatable than we ever thought.
Dawson’s most controversial project so far is definitely his eight-part documentary on the Youtube star Jake Paul. Arguably one of the most reckless, wild and disrespectful creators on the internet, Paul’s nature and his destructive antics are examined in Dawson’s videos. Taking on a less forgiving tone, Dawson also alludes to the increase of destructive and controversial content that has inevitably emerged with the expanding influence of Youtube. The growing pursuit of popularity has led a younger generation of Youtubers, including Paul, to resort to life threatening behavior. It makes you wonder: Why would someone risk their own life all for a simple Youtube video? Part of it definitely has to do with the obsession with views; or maybe it lies within something bigger, say a mental disorder, which Dawson explores throughout this series.
Youtubers like Dawson have been steadily gaining popularity on the platform alongside the broadening scope of content that is available. Our society has ultimately seen a shift in perspective on what we think of when we hear the word “Youtuber.” Before, it was simply a hobby that was enticing to teens. Now, being a Youtuber is a completely viable career, despite the lingering stigma surrounding the title. Times have changed since cable TV was in the spotlight, and it’s clear that Youtube isn’t going to step off its pedestal anytime soon.