In 2006 YouTube was voted the “Invention of the Year” by the New 
York Times, beating out a vaccine that prevents a cancer that is caused by a sexually transmitted disease….Really?
Since it’s emergence Youtube has had a massive following that continues to grow in the millions every month. This video sharing social networking site has its fair share of enticing qualities, such as watching your favourite programs, informative news clips, people embarrassing themselves; and fame? I guess YouTube does do it all.
Recently, I was watching one of my favourite celebrity gossip programs when a familiar face appeared on the screen that wasn’t one of Hollywood’s regulars.
His name is Iman Crosson or as the “Dancing Obama “on YouTube. He bears resemblance to the 44th President of the U.S and parody’s Beyonce’s Single Ladies choreography while speaking of his election win ( as Obama). And he was on my television program in a primetime slot! Dancing and doing impersonations. I couldn’t believe it. ( I’ve included a clip of his 15 minutes of fame below) But this is a common result within the realm of YouTube.
Television shows like Ellen Degeneres, dedicate entire segments of their program to the latest silly web videos found on websites such as YouTube.
Late night comedy shows like Jay Leno, Connan O’Brien and Saturday Night Live all discuss or parody these videos at one point or another, solidifying its place is the YouTube Hall of Fame ( its actually a real website, Google it).
YouYube has created over 50 Internet celebrities from all over the world, ranging from those who can sing and dance to those who play instruments, to those who have an uncanny ability to make people laugh through their witty humor or their ability to humiliate themselves. Internet stars like Tila Tequila, Amber Lee Ettinger ( Obama Girl) and Chris Crocker have all gained celebrity status and have YouTube to thank.
But why has society gravitated towards this form of self acclaimed fame? I blame the world we live in today. As stated by Dr. Strangelove:
” The psychology of new media use was originally outward, but now it appears that our perception has turned inward. More towards the self”
Perhaps bringing us to a state of complete narcissism?
I think so, to a certain extent. We are a society that has a celebrity obession, every little thing they do we want to know about it. What they had for lunch, who they’re dating, what dog did they just buy, what ethinicty their recent adopted child is, and the list of demands goes on. We don’t want to leave anything up to our imagination anymore! So its no surprise that we wish to emulate them not just through buying their over priced endorsed products and clothing lines, but we want a piece of that celebrity pie as well.
Individuals have a strong narcissitic quality embedded in them. According to Theodore Millon and Roger Davis authors of the novel Personality Disorders in Modern Life.
“Pathological narcissism is a ubiquitous phenomenon because every human being – regardless of the nature of his society and culture – develops healthy narcissism early in life”
But when does healthy narcissism cross over to being unhealthy? Not that wanting to be famous is unhealthy,but when you’ll do anything, even if its not respectable or not considered credible, to be famous, I would consider that to be questionable towards your self-esteem.
However, our culture and society appears to be one that encourages, embraces, and rewards this kind of narcissism that is rapidly growing along with YouTube memberships. What’s the reward?
Invitations to be on popular talk shows, a segment on The View maybe? Having your name mentioned by top entertainers, what ever it is, millions of YouTube subscribers want it and are constantly cooking up the next critically acclaimed YouTube video to be mentioned.
http://www.theinsider.com/news/1601097_Video_Lara_Samantha_Dance_with_Obama
