The YouTube Phenomenon, Annotated Bibliography Example

Burgess, Jean. YouTube: Online Video and Participatory Culture. New York: Polity Press, 2009. Print.

As Burgess points out, YouTube is currently the most widely recognized and discussed social media site. YouTube is also “the first genuinely mass-popular platform for user-created video.” It also represents a number of transformations related to human culture and society (3). Burgess also notes that YouTube has changed the way people communicate and how users have adapted it to serve various purposes. In addition, YouTube currently serves as a mass media outlet for amateur filmmakers and producers.

This book offers much information related to YouTube and its effect on the consumer. It also provides in-depth discussions on what some call the YouTube phenomenon of the 21st century. Overall, this book will help to develop a solid argument concerning this phenomenon. One way is through Burgess’ knowledge on the subject and how she has arranged all of the information. Thus, as a phenomenon, YouTube is the modern symbol of “participatory culture.”

Carvill, Michelle. The Business of Being Social: A Practical Guide to Harnessing the Power of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube for all Businesses.UK: Crimson Publishing, Ltd., 2013. Print.

Carvill explores a number of area related to social media for the general user. She also devotes an entire chapter to YouTube as a cultural phenomenon. Some of the other areas covered include marketing and harnessing the benefits of social media sites. Carvill also explores how to drive customers to a YouTube “channel.” She also shows how to draw advertisers to a YouTube “channel” that experiences thousands of “hits” or visits.

This book is loaded with ideas and suggestions related to creating an argument for a paper on YouTube as a phenomenon. For instance, Carvill shows how anyone with basic Internet knowledge can use YouTube to sell a product. She also demonstrates how YouTube can be used to become an “Internet sensation” (145). In addition, Carvill explores using YouTube as a public relations tool. Overall, Carvill’s book serves as a great starting point for exploring the many intricacies of YouTube.

Christian, Aymar Jean. “The Problem of YouTube.” Ousborne, Jeff. Reading Pop Culture: A Portable Anthology. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2012. 217-221. Print.

In this article from our anthology, Christian declares that one of the main problems with YouTube “has always been about control over the growing market for web video.” Christian also maintains that a type of war has emerged between amateur and professional video entrepreneurs which is also about control (217). In addition, Christian argues that YouTube is infested with low quality videos made by rank amateurs. In effect, this disturbs those who wish to “control” it like a business (217). Thus, Christian’s main concern is a “sea of content” posing as legitimate video output (218).

This article contains many examples related to problems associated with YouTube. However, it also offers some solid advice on how it could be improved for the general user/viewer. As a source, this article will help greatly in creating a thesis or argument in favor of YouTube as a phenomenon that is likely to remain with us for many years to come. As Christian reminds us, YouTube is now part of our culture and tradition. It is also one of the fastest growing outlets for selling goods and services to its millions of users/viewers.

Dvorak, John C. The YouTube Phenomenon. Web. 2006. 7 Feb. 2013.<http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2010334,00.asp>.

On this great website, Dvorak calls YouTube the “poster boy” of the Internet. He also notes that because of having “tens of millions of users, it is also a social phenomenon” (2006). Dvorak explains in simple terms how a person can use YouTube “to transcode anything and produce an easy-to-watch and easy-to-embed streaming flash movie” by utilizing a digital camera or camcorder. Also, Dvorak praises YouTube as a tool for “producers, the public, and wannabe actors.” He also notes that it serves as a bonanza for “corporations out for publicity and clip collectors” (2006).

As a source for developing an argument, The YouTube Phenomenon provides four basic themes. First, how the owners of YouTube need to start charging fees for users. Second, that YouTube’s free access could lead to another “Dot.com bust”(2006). Third, that YouTube is part of the “Golden Age of the Internet” (2006). And fourth, that YouTube deserves a closer look as one of the leading social sites on the web.

Katz, James E. Machines That Become Us: The Social Context of Personal Communication Technology. New York: Transaction Publishers, 2006. Print.

As pointed out by its publishers, this book “explores the increasingly intimate relationship between people and their personal communication technologies” (xii). As one of the first academics to explore this relationship, Katz examines in-depth the history and current status of the Internet. He also examines various technologies that may lead to humans becoming obsolete as thinking machines. In addition, Katz attempts to explain the “burgeoning electronic confusion that increasingly penetrates and blurs the boundaries of various spheres of life in modern society” (xii). Thus, this book is a mandatory source for exploring the world of social media.

This book is an excellent source for creating a solid argument or thesis. For example, it provides insight into social websites like YouTube and Facebook. It also shows how technology has infiltrated the lives of everyone on the planet. In addition, Katz explores the personal side of the Internet and how it has changed society. Thus, because of its content, this book will help greatly in developing a coherent thesis related to YouTube.

Manjoo, Farhad. “Is Facebook a Fad?” Ousborne, Jeff. Reading Pop Culture: A Portable Anthology. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2012. 223-226. Print.

In this article from our anthology, Manjoo asks whether web companies like Facebook will ever stop inundating the user with new technologies and gimmicks. His answer is clearly in the negative. Why? Because the current trend related to social networking is not a “fad.” It is in fact, a phenomenon that is not going to disappear anytime soon. It is also like many web-based entities, “unpredictable.”

Although this article focuses on Facebook, it does have some bearing on YouTube. For example, like Facebook, it is always changing. It is always striving for new avenues regarding social networking. In fact, Facebook and YouTube share many similarities. Thus, this article will help to build an argument or thesis related to YouTube and its cousin Facebook.

Scott, Jeremy. YouTube Tops Facebook, Twitter, and All Social Media in User Satisfaction. Web. 2012. 7 Feb. 2013. <http://www.reelseo.com/youtube-tops-facebook-twitter-social-media-user-satisfaction>.

Scott, the founder of his own Internet marketing firm, relates that YouTube is now the best social media network when it comes to user satisfaction. One important advantage is that it “doesn’t ask for tons of personal data” like Facebook (2012). It also allows viewers to “enjoy its service without ever having to create an account or log in” as contrasted with Facebook (2012). In addition, Scott notes that YouTube is growing in popularity and will soon outpace Faebook as the #1 social media site. Certainly, Scott’s outlook on YouTube as the top social media site confirms its position as an Internet phenomenon.

The are two advantages on this site related to YouTube as a phenomenon. First, it provides a chart on the Top 10 social sites with YouTube at 49% of the market. Second, it provides data on user satisfaction. Statistically, YouTube can boast that 50% of its users/viewers would recommend it to their friends. Also, YouTube is expanding rapidly and is expected to become the next TV.

YouTube Services. Web. 2013. 8 Feb. 2013. <http://www.socialmediadelivered.com/social-media-services/youtube-services>.

As a perfect example of YouTube’s growing popularity, this website offers a service to help those who wish to use YouTube as more than a social media outlet. It is a “do it all yourself” approach with a plan to “help develop strategy, implement a plan, and train staff on everything from content strategy to managing specific social media platforms” (2013). It also offers consulting related to goals, risks, prospects, and clients. Since YouTube is “largest video sharing website in the world” (2013), this service is invaluable for both amateurs and pros. Overall, this service promotes YouTube as “an incredible tool for growing your business, displaying your product and displaying powerful testimonials” (2013).

As a source, “Social Media Delivered” has a number of advantages. First, it provides user data related to customer satisfaction. Second, it offers testimonials on the efficiency of this service and how customers have succeeded with YouTube. Third, it offers a strategy that emphasizes YouTube as a cultural phenomenon. And fourth, a researcher can contact the website directly and request an interview with a member of the staff.