Since I was first introduced to autoethnographies, I always assumed that they were limited to written text, until I read, HERE COME THE NAVEL GAZERS: Definitions and Defenses for Auto/ethnography, where Hemmingson writes, "we will find (and do find) a/e being practiced on MySpace.com, livejournal.com, Facebook.com, and YouTube; that is, digital ethnography. For instance, we now see people using the vlog to engage in lifewriting, or lifevlogging and ethnoblogging."
And after considerable thought, I reflected on the hours I spent procrastinating by watching Youtubers (people who post videos on Youtube) talk about their lives into a camera. I guess it was really a self-righteous moment to know that something I spend hours doing instead of homework has some academic value. Why is it so much more interesting (to me) to see people talk about their lives than to read about it?
Here's an example of a typical vlog I can relate to:
(Please start from 1:40)
First of all, why do Youtubers post their vlogs (video blogs) on Youtube in the first place?
Sure, they might be satisfied with the fact that they entertain thousands with each video they post. But if you've watched the video, then you will have heard Jack say that his Youtube channel is his source of income and how he earns his living. Did you know that Youtubers can be paid $1-$3 per 1000 views they receive on their videos, if monetized? Youtube is essentially an easily accessible employer for those who enjoy film-making, editing, performing, entertaining, and/or talking about their lives into a camera...
How do Youtubers gain these views? Why do so many people watch these vlogs?
I can't speak for the other 970,252 views, but I watch Youtube vlogs because I like knowing that people face the problems that I face, and I like gaining different perspectives of how to overcome the different obstacles of life, especially if its presented through a humorous and 1080p HD medium. When I was a Senior in high school, I was considering taking a gap year because I had no idea what I wanted to study in college and I didn't even see the point of going straight into four years of school after twelve years of public school. Watching others talk about the same problems you face is comforting and supportive. Jack had the opportunity to take a gap year, travel around the world, and make videos of it. So when Youtubers take the initiative to take on big challenges and show it to the world through Youtube, it allows viewers to live vicariously through the vloggers. Moreover, the vlogs create a more personal experience for viewers, because of facial expressions, vocal tones, etc.
Digital autoethnographies are not limited to vlogs...
While this blog post focuses more on vlogs, digital autoethnographies often come in the form of cinematographic skits or aesthetic short films. Being of Malaysian-Chinese descent, this one came to mind. This form of digital autoethnography allows amateur filmmakers to broadcast their work to the world, exercise their creativity, and still tell their stories.
Conclusion
If you're in the trend loop of mainstream Youtube videos, then you're probably familiar with famous Youtubers like JennaMarbles, KevJumba, DailyGrace, and MichellePhan. These Youtubers and so many more post weekly/daily/monthly vlogs for a living and still have the privilege as entertainers to provide laughs or emotional connections to their viewers. They might not be writing stylistically, but they're still telling their stories, reflecting on their lives, and often times turning it into a metaphor for greater cultural/social concepts.
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