or a watching an old man play Final Countdown by farting with his hands,
an increasing amount of time in our lives is being consumed by Internet video (I don’t want to know what you were thinking…). Often the object of inside jokes, viral advertisements, or even entire sub-cultures, internet videos are an underrated, slightly dorky and often overlooked form of entertainment.
Here is a video that comprehensively summarizes all of the internet memes since the beginning of the internet. See how many you recognize. (I am a firm believer that this video can be used as a standalone tool to predict problematic internet use.)
While I have not heard of a case where Problematic Internet Use is caused solely by Internet videos I can definitely see a case in which it plays a major part. I wouldn’t be surprised to see many future cases of Internet Addiction in which YouTube and other video sites play a major part. Even in writing this blog post I found myself demonstrating excessive and compulsive use in choosing YouTube content to include in my post (the hand fart guy does A-Ha – Take on Me and Guns N Roses – Sweet Child of Mine). The Related Videos box in YouTube is my most reviled, yet respected arch-nemesis. It is shocking sometimes how one stupid little 30 second video leads to another and two hours instantly disappear. It is because of this addictive, attention grabbing content that has caused the birth of viral videos. This is a sector sought after by marketing companies who are to capitalize on this addiction.
Because I have never posted a video, I can only imagine how much time regular YouTube celebrities spend on YouTube. Similar to blogging, regular video creators are subject to Wallace’s operant conditioning in which they can broadcast their political opinion, share unique talent, or recite T-Pain lyrics to millions of viewers but on their own schedule. They also have to spend a great deal of time maintaining their virtual presence which is especially important with a richer form of media than blogging or social networks. Newbie disease seems to apply less; I often still get sucked into uncontrollable sessions of video watching even though it is not a new phenomenon for me.
Of Davis, Flett and Besser’s four dimensions for problematic internet use, people spend time on Youtube and other video sites for different reasons. People who will post YouTube videos seem to show more signs of loneliness/depression (e.g. lonelygirl18), whereas other do it for social comfort and the feeling of knowing that other people watch their content. The much wider audience that only watches videos and does not post probably uses it most for my personal favorite reason, distraction/procrastination. I would say that this supports Davis, Fleet and Besser’s conclusion in that individual differences play a role.
I would predict that Caplan’s Theory of Problematic Internet Use and Psychosocial Well-Being is less supported for people who post videos because it is a richer form of media. People with psychosocial problems and low social competence will probably be more likely to choose other forms of CMC over internet videos for greater interactional control and anonymity. It seems like though some users seek attention because they are lonely, the most successful videos are ones that feature individuals that are very socially competent have few psychosocial problems (though this is not always the case). YouTube videos, however, can increase the feeling of a one to one conversation (although often unidirectional) and lead to more intense and intimate-self disclosure. Of Caplan’s PIU variables, video uploaders would probably experience perceived social benefits and social control. For those who are watching videos, I think compulsivity and mood alteration play very major roles. Sometimes all you need is a kooky internet video to make your day.
What Second Life is actually like
8 comments:
Hey Austin, I don’t like this habit of always feelings drawn to comment on your posts. I guess you’re just a Blog god. You may even be the best thing that happened to the blogosphere since blog-sliced bread. Awesome post, I really liked your usage of videos. I completely agree and understand your notion of losing hours of your life that you can never get back to you tube and other video web sites. But that’s the future, baby, whewwwww!
Wow your blog is so true. Sometimes I just need a break from studying so I go on youtube just to see one funny/ridiculous video and then it turns into 10 videos. I agree with you that most people probably use youtube for procrastination/entertainment purposes as opposed to lessening feelings of loneliness. Although I think some people who post videos are lonely and bored and perhaps the mere fact of knowing someone will watch your video creates a feeling of connectedness. Hence, alleviating their psychosocial problems.
Austin, I liked the subject you chose to write about (maybe because I also wrote about Youtube in my first blog post). I agree that Caplan’s theory does not really apply those who only watch online videos. I do not think that viewers are looking for confirmation of their social competence when they are watching online videos. On the other hand, I do think that the people who post videos can fall under Caplan’s theory; they may be posting videos because it is easier for them to communicate things online rather than in FtF. Positive responses to videos may also improve their views of their own social competence. You also brought up a good point in mentioning how people who post videos are likely to feel pressured to maintain their virtual presence online; people who post one popular video often end up making sequels in the hopes of maintaining their image.
Definitely the most entertaining blog post this week. I agree with you that Caplan’s model probably wouldn’t describe the behavior of people who post videos on YouTube particularly well. I would argue that when examining PIU on YouTube, one should look more closely at the people watching the videos than the people making them. Even YouTube celebrities who regularly post videos have to spend a considerable amount of time offline making the videos that they post. I’m sure in a lot of those cases, people have help from others to make their videos. This would seem to indicate that these are reasonably socially competent people that engage in a fair amount of offline interaction. In addition, just because a person seems to be making intimate self-disclosures on YouTube doesn’t mean that they are representing themselves accurately. Lonelygirl15 probably wasn’t nearly as lonely as she seemed on YouTube because she was an actress playing a part.
Awesome post Austin! Those YouTube videos get me every time. I will admit that the Dora the Explorer video was absolutely hillarious and it was definitely the best out of all the Soulja Boy videos. I definitely have to agree about Caplan's model not applying to online videos. I don't think their social competence comes into play when viewing online videos and I don't think they feel threatened when they watch online videos. Great post!
This was the best blog I've read this week. Your use of videos was great to help get the point across. Its true how you start off watching one video and end up watching more and more. I've put up videos on youtube and its just as entertaining putting them up as it is to watch them. Many people see the computer videos as their way of relating with others and entertaining themselves but at the same time keeping that social distance. The entertainment of the videos can be a form of distraction for many and a means of achieving a smile. I agree with you that in Caplan's Theory, users would probably choose a richer form of media. You can find any type of video online and watch it over and over again. Its also very accessible with the site up 24/7.
Great use of media, loved this entry. It's truly amazing how much time youtube can take away from you. In many ways it's exactly what you described: one 30 second video turns into hours. Differentiating between the average watcher and content creator was an important and worthwhile distinction that you made. While the average user, myself included, uses youtube as a lot but not enough to qualify for PIU; the content creators may be quite a different story. I think weblogs and video diaries often fall right into Caplan's description of people seeking refuge online. Great post!
Hey Austin,
I loved the post and agree with the above people that the media helped to tie all your points together extremely well. I can also agree with you about the related videos sucking time away from you since I have definitely gotten caught up in that myself.
The only criticism I have is that you didn't touch on why these people choose youtube over other video sites or even in general.
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