mytube

I think there’s something indicative about the nature of pop culture today by the name of one of its’ foremost purveyor- youtube. The “you” in youtube indicates a sort of ownership. In fact as a part of the generation most involved in this change, I feel as though I do own my culture to some extent. Youtube is unique in that you are able to listen, watch and experience any video (or song for that matter) on the internet at any hour of the day. You could be in bed, looking to watch a movie trailer, or at a party, showing your friend the latest Lil Wayne music video. The viral video has weaved its way into modern popular culture because of its convenience and its availability.

My favourite Youtube video at the moment is the “Dramatic Reading of a Break Up Letter”. I love it so much because, aside from being ridiculously funny, its not trying to sell me anything (directly),  and because I like to spend time (mostly during especially banal lectures) thinking about what kind of person the girl writing to Loser (Chris) is. She obivously lacks any kind of comprehension of the English language and a basic notion of spelling. Other than that, you can just taste the anguish and heartbreak that this girl had, “I thought you liked me you said it yourself I hate you” as well as bold declarations of her feminism “I dont have to tell you who I like or who I am thinking of going out with got that to you loser”. I feel that the break up letter basically sums up pop culture in modern times. We are using the internet, and Youtube as an extension, as an avenue to express our feelings, even those that might have been embarrassing to share in times before.

But we, the generation Y, have no shame.

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