The Youtube Divide: Fan and Creator

[ProfKranc]

I think this topic has already been talked about because it happened a while ago. But do you remember when there where barriers at a Youtube event?
A lot of the big Youtube creators began saying they didn't like this because it seemed to symbolize the difference between the creators on the rug and the fans who had been waiting hours to get to see a glimpse of their fans?

To a lot of people I have been talking to, the divide seemed to become more evident recently to them.
But for me, it was always there. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I think the golden age is over. How anyone can pick up a camera and be a youtuber. Yeah you can be a creator, but you will not be as successful as CharlieMacdonald, Tomska, Danisnotonfire. It took years for them to get successful, but a lot of it was about being lucky. The numbers is what divides us.
The reason Youtube felt more like a community is because of the comment system, video responses and other ways to get in direct contact with the creators. But what it essentially is, is a quicker mailing system. Its like when you send a letter to your fav celebrity. They may get it, they may not. And the comment system is a faster version of that.
And because of the numbers they have, you have as much of a chance they will reply to you as a mainstream celeb would to some hate mail.

I really do sound like such a bummer don't I. But to me, the divide has always been there. Its just become more evident recently. Maybe it was different before I joined in 2008.
What do you think? I would like others opinion on this subject.
Did you ever feel truly like you were part of a community on Youtube?

 

[TheBatteryChicken]

The divide has always been there, but with the way youtube events are run these days and free events transitioning to paid events etc, It's making the divide much more evident. Quite a lot of the youtubers play to this and can actually be attributed with the cause of this and are actually promoting this, it benefits them more if the divide is there and they do all they can to uphold that.

The fact that youtubers are always at movie premiers these days just emphasises that fact. With these management companies working with youtubers these days like gleam, they are working with the bigger youtubers to create this elitism. Personally I've always said these people are just dickheads and I will continue to say that, the only thing we can do is to choose how we go about our own business and I know i would go out of my way to ensure i never support youtube events that are charged for and if i ever attend anyway it will always to be to cause disruption.

 

[ProfKranc]

The divide has always been there, but with the way youtube events are run these days and free events transitioning to paid events etc, It's making the divide much more evident. Quite a lot of the youtubers play to this and can actually be attributed with the cause of this and are actually promoting this, it benefits them more if the divide is there and they do all they can to uphold that.

The fact that youtubers are always at movie premiers these days just emphasises that fact. With these management companies working with youtubers these days like gleam, they are working with the bigger youtubers to create this elitism. Personally I've always said these people are just dickheads and I will continue to say that, the only thing we can do is to choose how we go about our own business and I know i would go out of my way to ensure i never support youtube events that are charged for and if i ever attend anyway it will always to be to cause disruption.

I agree with in terms of the creation of the elitism. The divide definitely does benefit the YouTubers more if its there. But one thing I've wondered about the payed events is: are the big YouTubers payed to be there?
Also, I wouldn't say the youtube events aren't all bad. I've been to one and I've made a bunch of friends with youtubers around my sub number. Its a great place to socialize, but I still do agree with what you are saying in regards to how these events are just again promoting this divide

 

[TheBatteryChicken]

I agree with in terms of the creation of the elitism. The divide definitely does benefit the YouTubers more if its there. But one thing I've wondered about the payed events is: are the big YouTubers payed to be there?
Also, I wouldn't say the youtube events aren't all bad. I've been to one and I've made a bunch of friends with youtubers around my sub number. Its a great place to socialize, but I still do agree with what you are saying in regards to how these events are just again promoting this divide

They get stuff like travel and accommodation, They might get something else every once in a while. Flying british people out to America for events and paying for their hotels is pretty costly anyway, so in my eyes that is straight up payment.

Youtube gatherings i have no problem with, those events have a much higher ratio of actual youtube creators, so you have a good opportunity to network and find people like yourself etc. As soon as it becomes an event you have to pay for is where the problem occurs. Those events are pretty much 95% fangirls and very few content creators. I'm all about keeping youtube at a grass roots level, I like things that are accessible to anyone. Not everyone can afford to go to youtube events and buy tickets etc, but they are just as passionate as the people who can afford it. I really hate when people who have less fortunate circumstances are given less opportunities because they cant afford to get involved in events.

The least these event organisers could do is make figures and numbers public, they should be far more transparent with where there money goes. But they will never do that because of all the under the table deals that are going on, it will never be in their interest so they dont care.

 

[Crown]

I think the golden age is over. How anyone can pick up a camera and be a youtuber.

I don't agree with this at all. YouTube is just a media. And a camera is just a tool. Some people will be better at using that tool than others and there will always be older successful YouTubes who will move on to other things to be replaced / joined by newer ones.

Anyone can pick up a pen and write a novel. Those that are good at writing will find success while the others most likely won't. Sure a bit of luck helps, but luck evens out for everyone in the long run. There's no "golden era" for these things. There are thousands of new channels being created every day. There are loads of new successful channels moving up the ranks and there always will be. The fact that today's successful channels started 3 years ago doesn't mean that the golden era has passed. It means it takes 3 years to build up a channel and to become successful. Channels starting today can have that same success 3 years from now if they put in the work and have the talent. The problem is that most people don't want to put in that amount of effort. It's generation interweb where people want instant gratification for little effort.

That's not to say it's easy. But if it was easy, then everyone would have a huge successful channel, which by definition is impossible.

 

[TheBatteryChicken]

I don't agree with this at all. YouTube is just a media. And a camera is just a tool. Some people will be better at using that tool than others and there will always be older successful YouTubes who will move on to other things to be replaced / joined by newer ones.

Anyone can pick up a pen and write a novel. Those that are good at writing will find success while the others most likely won't. Sure a bit of luck helps, but luck evens out for everyone in the long run. There's no "golden era" for these things. There are thousands of new channels being created every day. There are loads of new successful channels moving up the ranks and there always will be. The fact that today's successful channels started 3 years ago doesn't mean that the golden era has passed. It means it takes 3 years to build up a channel and to become successful. Channels starting today can have that same success 3 years from now if they put in the work and have the talent. The problem is that most people don't want to put in that amount of effort. It's generation interweb where people want instant gratification for little effort.

That's not to say it's easy. But if it was easy, then everyone would have a huge successful channel, which by definition is impossible.

You will really like this video i have planned out to make today hahahaha It pretty much mocks the general view towards youtube from people these days

 

[Rouge]

"Big" Youtubers have to be the most arrogant people in general I have ever dealt with in my life. I dunno what it is about them but I have met a few and they have been so distant towards me and wanted me to leave, as if they get "thousands" of people harassing them in public on a daily basis. I would love to be have a big fanbase so I could actually give them time back for the time they give me. So I think there are the averagely popular creators...the unnoticed and the "Kayne's" that have over 1mill subs.

 

[LJay]

I definatly agree with Elitism being present and further created on YouTube. I also agree that the community isn't as strong or as united as it used to be due to a variety of reasons. However, looking back on Internet Icon I really saw how close knit people were in the YouTube Community. When people are brought together in that way where they can really talk and observe each other in person it makes it easier to get along with someone. Community is important to me on YouTube, which is why I joined YTTALK in the first place because I wasn't getting that sense of Community from gaming channels on YouTube.

 

[ProfKranc]

I don't agree with this at all. YouTube is just a media. And a camera is just a tool. Some people will be better at using that tool than others and there will always be older successful YouTubes who will move on to other things to be replaced / joined by newer ones.

Anyone can pick up a pen and write a novel. Those that are good at writing will find success while the others most likely won't. Sure a bit of luck helps, but luck evens out for everyone in the long run. There's no "golden era" for these things. There are thousands of new channels being created every day. There are loads of new successful channels moving up the ranks and there always will be. The fact that today's successful channels started 3 years ago doesn't mean that the golden era has passed. It means it takes 3 years to build up a channel and to become successful. Channels starting today can have that same success 3 years from now if they put in the work and have the talent. The problem is that most people don't want to put in that amount of effort. It's generation interweb where people want instant gratification for little effort.

That's not to say it's easy. But if it was easy, then everyone would have a huge successful channel, which by definition is impossible.

Its probably just my view on the Youtube thing then. It's different for different people. Its not like I'm saying "the golden era is over, so stop trying" (even though I know that's not what you were getting at ). I like making youtube videos because its fun! But I don't think I will ever "make it", even with all the effort I put into my videos (I produce short films and comedy sketches that require a crew, special effects, organisation, etc).

But I understand what you mean. It probably will be the case that new youtubers will take the old ones place. But I guess its more my lack of faith in the media.
I'm gonna sound a bit like a conspiracy theorist or something but I think that the current Youtubers are going to be locked in and then Youtube will eventually evolve into what the media is now. Where you can't work you're way up the Youtube ranks, but you will be chosen.

But I get your point. And I honestly hope that you are right [DOUBLEPOST=1400406621,1400406417][/DOUBLEPOST]

I definatly agree with Elitism being present and further created on YouTube. I also agree that the community isn't as strong or as united as it used to be due to a variety of reasons. However, looking back on Internet Icon I really saw how close knit people were in the YouTube Community. When people are brought together in that way where they can really talk and observe each other in person it makes it easier to get along with someone. Community is important to me on YouTube, which is why I joined YTTALK in the first place because I wasn't getting that sense of Community from gaming channels on YouTube.

What do you mean by close nit? Like what happened in regards to how the creators where more involved in the community of Youtube?

 

[TheBatteryChicken]

Its probably just my view on the Youtube thing then. It's different for different people. Its not like I'm saying "the golden era is over, so stop trying" (even though I know that's not what you were getting at ). I like making youtube videos because its fun! But I don't think I will ever "make it", even with all the effort I put into my videos (I produce short films and comedy sketches that require a crew, special effects, organisation, etc).

But I understand what you mean. It probably will be the case that new youtubers will take the old ones place. But I guess its more my lack of faith in the media.
I'm gonna sound a bit like a conspiracy theorist or something but I think that the current Youtubers are going to be locked in and then Youtube will eventually evolve into what the media is now. Where you can't work you're way up the Youtube ranks, but you will be chosen.

But I get your point. And I honestly hope that you are right [DOUBLEPOST=1400406621,1400406417][/DOUBLEPOST]
What do you mean by close nit? Like what happened in regards to how the creators where more involved in the community of Youtube?

In that show it was a competition each day to make the best video between the creators. Even though all these creators where competing with each other, all they ever did through out the show was help with each others videos. There was never any drama or people trying to out do the other people. It was just everyone trying to help everyone else in making the best video they possibly could.