Youtube Through the Diffusion Theory

Youtube is one of the fastest growing websites of all time and currently serves as the second most visited website on the internet. However, this does not mean that everyone visits Youtube. Looking at Youtube through the lens of the diffusion theory, one can acknowledge the quick spread while also understanding why not everyone has caught onto it.

What is the diffusion theory though and how does it relate to Youtube and its audience? According to Everett Roger's Diffusion Theory, diffusion of innovations is "a theory that seeks to explain how, why, and at what rate new ideas and technology spread". His theory covers the experimental pioneers, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards.

So how does this relate to Youtube? Being that youtube was such a fast growing mainstream internet tool, it allowed for anyone to be able to upload videos to the internet with a few simple clicks. Before this, people had to be very technologically advanced in order to upload videos. Youtube's initial purpose was for people, no matter their knowledge of technology, to be able to upload any video they want. This idea was a huge contribution to the rapid success of Youtube.

Early Adopters & Early Majority

People also not only grasped onto the idea of Youtube so quickly because of how accessible it was to upload, but it was also very easy to view videos. People learned how to do things by watching videos, listened to music, and got entertainment through random videos. All of these people who used Youtube right away would be considered the Early Adopters.

These early adopters were some of the first to actual help the platform grow. Although they weren't the experimental pioneers, who were actually the first people to use it, the early adopters played a large part in the success of the platform. 

A prominent name that would be considered an early adapter of Youtube would be Google. Just one year after the grand debut of Youtube, Google purchases the website for over $1 billion dollars. Google saw the potential and jumped on it before any other company could.

Google's position as an early adapter still remains in tact as Youtube is still owned by Google. After the early adopters came into play and made the platform much more prominent, the early majority followed. The early majority came quick as Youtube grew so quickly. More and more people began to recognize the influence Youtube had not only on society, but also social media which was growing just as quickly. 

What could still be considered early majority, people began making careers out of Youtube. These people although not early adapters, changed the scene for Youtube and became early adapters for Youtube as a career. Now, there are hundreds of thousands of people who upload videos daily, with goals of making a career out of it.

Late Majority & Laggards

With Youtube being nearly 20 years old, we are now in the period where, if someone is just starting to use the platform, thy would be considered Late Majority. This period of maturation from early majority and late majority separates those who constantly go on Youtube from those who may go on it every now and then.

Whether they are looking up a how to video or playing their favorite song, the late majority doesn't use Youtube quite as much as the early majority, and could be grouped as the older generations. However, members of the older generation that don't use Youtube for anything could be considered the laggards. 

The laggards either do not want to use Youtube, don't know how to use it, or do no have access to it. Regardless of the reasoning, there is still a good amount of people who would be considered laggards with this platform. Although Youtube is extremely popular, there will always be a group of people to never search YouTube.com on their computer.

EOTO: YouTube

 

Youtube has become one of the most popular websites in the world and is home to over two billion monthly viewers. Although the growth of the global phenomenon was rapid, it started as a simple video uploading software for friends and families to share their lives with a simple press of a button.

Originally launched in 2005, former PayPal employees Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim came together with the intention of creating a platform for people to upload videos, who do not have any technological knowledge or experience.

In a New York Times article written shortly after the release of YouTube, it was said, “Mr. Hurley and Mr. Chen started YouTube after the two struggled to share videos of a dinner party in January 2005". The intentions of creating this website were clearly different than how it was actually used by a global audience.

Shortly after the release, approximately 1 year later, YouTube was bought by Google in 2006 for $1.65 billion dollars. Google still owns YouTube to this day, and it remains one of, if not, the most successful investments for the company to date.

The above graph illustrates the types of videos that are uploaded and how they have grown and changed over time. Overall, videos uploaded of people by people seem to remain the highest uploaded videos, since their intense uprising in 2008.

Something notable however, is the steady yet rapid increase of gaming videos uploaded to YouTube. The number of daily gaming videos uploaded from the creation of YouTube in 2005 up until 2008 remained at 0. However, after 2008, the increase began and in today's society gaming videos are some of the most popular and sought out types of videos on the platform.

Streaming video games is in such high demand right now, and YouTube is a great platform for people to fulfill those demands. People have also incorporated gaming videos into their posts, making "Gaming Youtubers" one of the most popular types of Youtubers today.

But what is a YouTuber you ask? It is arguably one of the most desirable jobs by this generation and they have been recognized as some of the most prominent people in the entertainment industry today. From David Dobrik to Miranda Sings to Logan Paul, Youtubers have taken over the world. They are some of the highest paid entertainment industry workers, with some of them making millions of dollars per video that they post.

A YouTuber is not the only thing that Youtube has produced outside of just a typical video uploading platform. In 2017, Youtube created its own streaming service, joining the likes of Netflix, Hulu, and more, called YoutubeTV. This service however, serves a different purpose than the streaming networks listed above.

YoutubeTV is seemingly created to replace cable television, rather than just serving as another place to watch original TV shows and movies. There are nearly 100 different networks such as CBS, ABC, NBC, and more, that can be viewed through YouTubeTV. This may explain the expensive monthly fee, that being around $60-80 per month depending on the plan, but Youtube is determined to make every penny worth it. 

YouTube is currently the 2nd most visited website on the internet, and has over 1 billion videos watched by people all over the world each day. The amount of content produced on the website seems unthinkable, as the website allows anybody to post their own videos to the site, in a variety of different ways. YouTube is now worth around $200 billion dollars, so its safe to say that Google's $1.6 billion dollar investment was definitely worth it.

https://books.google.com/books?id=mg1rDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PT5&ots=RCoOPyharM&dq=origins%20of%20youtube&lr&pg=PT21#v=onepage&q&f=false 

https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/09/business/09cnd-deal.html 

https://www.omnicoreagency.com/youtube-statistics/ 

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Golshan-Golnari/publication/263654088_What_Drives_the_Growth_of_YouTube_Measuring_and_Analyzing_the_Evolution_Dynamics_of_YouTube_Video_Uploads/links/0c96053b6f718bad5e000000/What-Drives-the-Growth-of-YouTube-Measuring-and-Analyzing-the-Evolution-Dynamics-of-YouTube-Video-Uploads.pdf 

https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/?utm_source=pm&utm_medium=gs&utm_campaign=1006175

Black Lives Matter: First Amendment

Black Lives Matter took over the country almost one year ago. After the murder of George Floyd by police officers, people were outraged at the racism that continues to exist in America, especially within the police force. In the midst of a global pandemic, protests came to the streets to bring justice to those who were murdered by police brutality strictly because of the color fo their skin. Other stories of unlawful murders came to light, such as the story of Breonna Taylor who was killed in her own home by officers as well. 

The horrifying systemic racism that continues to exist is appalling, and citizens all across the nation engaged in protest to demand change for these issues that are prevalent in society everyday.  I was one of those citizens. Over the summer, I attended a peaceful protest in my hometown, representing the black lives matter movement. My decision to attend and be vocal about the movement was protected by the first amendment. The unfortunate people who drive by yelling hateful things were also protected under the first amendment. Although this can not be changed, due to this protection, the idea of respect is what can and should be forced upon close minded people. Although many of the protests were peaceful there were some that were not.

The mentioned majority of protests are protected by the First Amendment due to this fact that they were peaceful. They did not result in violence, destruction, or attacks. For the small percentage of violent protests, the First Amendment did not protect the act of destruction. This is also explained through the Bedrock Principle that the First Amendment is not absolute. When it comes to violence and aggression, the First Amendment will not protect protesting citizens. However, it will protect those using their voice to speak on behalf of and alongside others. 

Eight First Amendment Values

The first amendment, protecting Americans freedom of speech, is much more complex than just having the right to be able to speak your mind. There are values that people hold closer than others, and are motivated by different things as to why the first amendment is so important for their words, actions and ideas. There are eight specific values and they are as follows: Marketplace of Ideas, Participation in Self-Government, Stable Change, Individual Self-Fulfillment, Check on Governmental Power, Promote Tolerance, Promote Innovation, and Protect Dissent.

Out of the eight aforementioned values, there are a few that I hold closer for me personally, as well as a few that I believe are more important and connect more to today's society and issues that are occurring. These are promoting tolerance, promoting innovation, and individual self-fulfillment.

Promote Tolerance

Tolerance is a big aspect in America today and can be taken in many different ways. The first amendment which grants the right to freedom of speech, in a way, forces tolerance amongst Americans, as there is not much that can be done against speech alone. I feel that tolerance should be common amongst people,  however respect should be given to everyone. It is one thing to be tolerant but it is another thing to be respectful. It is okay that people can think what they want and say what they want. What isn't okay is for them to abuse this right to belittle and disrespect others, especially if it is against their race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. Tolerance is key and people should tolerate other's opinion, how people need to not only tolerate but respect others lives and choices. 

Promote Innovation

"A community in which free speech is valued and protected is likely to be a more energized, creative, interesting society as its citizens actively fulfill themselves in many diverse and interesting ways" (Balkin, Living Originalism). Innovation is key to a creative world; because of the first amendment, I, along with every other American, has the right to express oneself creatively and freely. Without the protection of the first amendment, many creative endeavors that have changed history, would not have been able to happen. I hold this value close to me because I plan to express myself creative me through my future career. As an entertainment journalist, and hopeful TV host, creativity is key to success. Without the value of promoting innovation supported by the first amendment, this would be extremely difficult to do.

Individual Self-Fulfillment

Similar to promoting information, the first amendment protects the idea of individual self-fulfillment. This helps people to explore themselves and create their own identity. I feel that this is important in today's society. People's free speech often discourages and looks down upon others decisions, which induces fear and insecurity. However, the first amendment encourages individual self-fulfillment and allows people to express themselves in whichever way they desire. This is so important to me, because I strongly believe that people should be who they truly want to be, no matter the circumstance. 

The Supreme Court: They Can't Avoid Controversy

The judicial branch is seemingly the most overlooked branch, yet it is compromised of some of the most powerful people in the United States today. The Supreme Court, made up of 9 Supreme Court justices, holds power over the likes of senators, representatives, and even the President of the United States. 

The Dred Scott Case

"The court had no power to ban slavery and that blacks could never be citizens." I was interested to learn about the Dred Scott case and how much it affected not only the reputation of the Supreme Court but the authority they held for years to come. Thinking about how powerful the Supreme Court is and then hearing that they said blacks could never be citizens left me shocked. Although times were different back then, it is horrifying to see people with so much power induce so much hate.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

"Remember that we the people was composed of a very small part of the people." This quote stuck with me throughout the entirety of the videos and even after I watched them. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an iconic Supreme Court justice who spearheaded equal rights for all people, but especially women, throughout her time on the court. This video helped me to realize how strong her impact was ever since the beginning of her career as a Supreme Court justice. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a trailblazer, an icon, and a hero for people all over the world.

How Many Cases?

Lastly, I could not wrap my head around how many cases arrive to the supreme court. About 100 cases are sent per week to the Supreme Court. The amount of time and work that the justices have to put in is obviously insurmountable, however it wasn't until hearing the actual number that I realized how remarkable the number is. 

5 Top News Sources

 Getting news that is beneficial to everybody can be slightly difficult nowadays. The real and full truth seems rare with big news outlets and bias is destined to be present. Many people including myself have fallen into this trap, and rely solely on news sources such as CNN or Fox.

As mentioned, this is something that I admittedly have struggled with. Until really thinking about how bias certain news sources could be, I used the same exact websites to get information. I am still working on finding good, reliable sources that I like, so for this blog, I am going to explain my previous top 5 news sources before taking this class.

1. CNN

As someone who shares similar beliefs with CNN reporters, I feel that this source is an easy way to get information that I am interested in, especially when it focuses on issues that are relevant to me or what I believe in. It is much easier to read an article to agree with and can relate to, hence the reason I would always get information from CNN.

2. E! News

In the future, I plan to work for the entertainment industry, so I am constantly looking on the E! News app for updates on popular culture, celebrities, Hollywood, etc. Although this is not as relevant news as you would get from other sources, E! News is perhaps the most relevant to me and to what I aspire to do. 

3. Twitter

Twitter is a source that I know can be unreliable, therefore I use it to see main article headlines and then do further research using other sources. Twitter is a very quick way to stay updated on what is going on as you can see so many different news headlines. It is an easy way to get information without having to do much research.

4. Entertainment Tonight

Similar to E! News, I check Entertainment Tonight about once per day to stay updated on what is happening in the entertainment industry. As the entertainment host for our campus' talk show, I am constantly keeping myself informed about what is going on so I can talk about it live every week.

5. NBC News

Growing up, my family always had NBC News on in the morning. This was my first exposure to news and I have stuck with the source even today. I feel that it is a more reliable and less bias source than CNN or Fox, however it still covers the same information in the same time frame.

I am definitely working on finding less bias sources and this course has helped me to realize how important unbiased news is. Even though I still use these sources, I have began to move away for bias and move towards truth because it is so important to know what is going on in the world, even if its not from. a similar viewpoint of mine.