Over the past ten years, there has been a movement towards video blogs, or “vlogs,” as a form of media. Individuals who create these vlogs film themselves moving throughout their day, discussing hot-button topics, sharing their opinions, publicizing their fashion, etc. I am interested in why this form of media has exploded with the Millennial generation. Why do we care what “YouTube famous” celebrities do with their day?
However, it also goes deeper than this – vlogs have become platforms for legitimate discussion of news and sources of emotional labor. Are we as a generation more comfortable seeking advice from YouTube vlogs? How have they become legitimized as a new form of media? What motivates these individuals to turn the camera around on themselves and speak whatever comes to mind? Additionally, the comment section of these videos provides a way for the audience to connect directly to each other as well as to the producer of the content. In this way, an interesting community arises from these videos where those who engage them can interact with like-minded people. How is the Millennial generation navigating these new forms of media and what can they potentially accomplish that other forms cannot?