As I've been a viewer for about 4 years, I'd like to think of myself as an active member of the YouTube community. So when all this discussion about "YouTube Culture" began taking place, I literally cringed in my bean bag seat because I couldn't even believe something like this had become such an issue.
I noticed a lot of YouTubers were making videos about it and I've seen the odd tumblr post from a couple of viewers, but I don't think I've seen a viewer properly discuss the issue.
So here's my view.
To begin: the viewers. I don't understand the viewers who get distraught and upset when they see their favourite YouTuber being escorted to their meet up via a security/ bodyguard. Anybody who knows of these meet up events such as Vidcon and Playlist Live know how busy and popular they are. Its simply just a safety procedure they have to abide by and I'm sure they didn't demand they have a muscly man walk them around. Say if they bumped into a crowd of viewers by mistake when they actually had a meeting/interview/panel to do, they do not have the time to stand in a crowd of people and take selfies with them all. As I saw Dan (Danisnotonfire) mention in a YouNow show of his, if everybody signed a contract of some sort to promise that they as an individual would act respectively, calmly and sensibly at these events then sure YouTubers would be casually strolling around, taking pictures, talking to viewers etc. But also like Dan said it only takes one crazy fangirl to ruin everybody else's time. Barriers are too just a safety procedure and a method of crowd control. I also think its down to the big 'boom' that YouTube has experienced. It has become massively popular over the last year and so events are going to be a lot more busy and packed. Without queuing systems a YouTuber wouldn't be able to meet anywhere near enough people as effectively. Now I'm not saying the current queuing system at these meet ups are perfect; yes they have their flaws, but until somebody comes up with a more efficient way for a YouTuber to meet hundreds/thousands of viewers over the space of a few days then please let the organisers know.
Moving onto the way viewers act around YouTubers. I have to say I can't even watch most meet and greet videos people upload because the way they act around these YouTubers is so embarrassing. YouTubers are the most normal famous people ever. Think about it. They took a camera, spoke to it, edited the footage and uploaded it onto a website. That's literally all they have done. I'm not saying its wrong to get excited or happy when you meet them, of course that's okay. I mean I've heard so many 'YouTubers have saved my life' stories. But just don't treat them like a God and spend hours upon hours asking for a follow back and then saying you're going to kill yourself if they don't. I'm sure they don't like having that much pressure on them! You're giving them all this unnecessary power, then complaining that they're acting like some A-list celebrity. Don't complain about them acting this way if you're going to treat them that way.
Now : the YouTubers. Unfortunately there are some YouTubers out there who clearly milk that fact that they've been placed on this pedestal. Bringing up a point that Nathan (TheThirdPew) made in a video, YouTubers need to try and remove themselves from this position. You can't complain that your 'fans' are giving you this status that you didn't ask for when you do nothing to make it clear to them that you're uncomfortable about it. If your viewers understood the fact that you don't actually like it when they start begging you for a follow back on twitter, then I'm sure most of them would calm the heck down. Also another point I'd like to make is when YouTubers treat their audience like idiotic 10 year olds. PLEASE DON'T DO THIS. I can't even begin to tell you how frustrating it is as a 16 year old, sensible, calm viewer to be referred to as a stupid 10 year old fan. I appreciate YouTubers follow their audience demographic which informs them the age ranges of their audience and a lot of that tells them their audiences are young. But please don't generalise, it makes me want to shout at the screen sometimes.
This moves me onto my final point. YouTubers please respect your audience. We put you where you are, so don't patronise us and treat us like fools. Most of us are a lot smarter than you think. Don't let a few silly fangirls make you generalise your whole audience.
To conclude I'd say this debate goes hand in hand on both sides. Viewers: do not complain that a YouTuber is acting like a celebrity when you treat them like one. YouTubers: make sure your viewers know that you're not a God that should be worshipped if you're uncomfortable with it.
Communication people.
Think that's all for today
Till next time
Katherine x
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