Is YouTube Like the Printing Press?

TL;DR

Youtubers asking for monetary compensation for interviews highlights the debate on whether YouTube shapes a certain kind of person or if individuals shape YouTube.

Transcript

there was a tweet thread that did the rounds a while ago from a journalist and I won't name them because they've gotten a lot of crap for it already but the journalist was saying that when they offer youtubers interviews in the press they were particularly surprised by how many of the youtubers asked to be compensated monetarily for their time and ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤨 Youtubers' requests for monetary compensation for interviews raise questions about the value they place on their time and their understanding of monetization.
• 💠 The debate on whether YouTube shapes individuals or individuals shape YouTube is complex and may involve a feedback loop between the two.
• ✊ Foucault's concept of power shaping selves can be applied to youtubers' behavior and their understanding of their value on and beyond YouTube.
• ❓ Evgeny Morozov's critique of reifying the internet as a fixed entity highlights the interplay between technology and society.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why were some youtubers asking for monetary compensation for interviews?

Some argue that youtubers, who have their own audiences on YouTube, believe that their time is valuable and feel justified in requesting payment for interviews as they can bring their own audience to the table. They have been trained to monetize every interaction, and this behavior extends beyond just YouTube.

Q: What does Foucault say about the shaping of selves by power structures?

Foucault suggests that power structures, such as governments, shape the kind of selves that benefit them. In the case of youtubers, their self may be shaped by their understanding that their time is valuable and can be monetized, leading them to ask for compensation in various situations.

Q: How does Evgeny Morozov view the internet and its effects on society?

Evgeny Morozov argues against reifying the internet as a fixed entity that shapes society. He compares this perception to how people used to talk about the printing press, suggesting that it is more accurate to understand that society shapes technology and vice versa, rather than attributing society's changes solely to the internet or printing press.

Q: How does Anthony DeAngelo suggest viewing YouTube channels?

Anthony DeAngelo recommends viewing YouTube channels as works of art or literature, as texts that shape YouTube and affect what it means. This perspective suggests that youtubers' works, rather than their selves, have an impact on the platform.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• A tweet thread revealed that some youtubers asked for payment for interviews, sparking a discussion on whether youtubers have been trained to monetize every interaction.

• The behavior of youtubers on YouTube, where they have their own audience, leads to a debate on whether it is fair for them to request compensation for their time in other situations.

• The discussion raises questions about how YouTube shapes the self, influences behavior, and whether it is a case of individuals being shaped by YouTube or vice versa.