Investigating the World of Popular Online Video: A Personal Account from VidCon

I must admit, I was sent to VidCon with a clear goal in mind: to investigate the world of popular online video. However, my experience at the conference took an unexpected turn, and I found myself being controlled into the notion that anyone under 40 can't read and prefers nothing but online video. It was as if my notes had taken on a life of their own, guiding me through the event.

Upon registration, I encountered an 8-year-old boy barely grasping a half-pointed at the ground with a handheld cam slurring out a monologue in the style of "Hey guys, I'm here." This proved to be common among attendees, who were all recording themselves for the entire conference. Some even had hired others to do the recording for them, which added to my confusion about what was happening.

The more enterprising of these individuals had created their own YouTube channels, despite an embarrassing lack of cohesion and content. One such channel bore a striking resemblance to my own, which made me wonder if I should start creating more content myself. However, after two days at VidCon, I came to realize that I don't like YouTube – it's hard, and it's scary.

I did not fit in at the conference at all. In fact, I felt like an outsider from the very beginning. The event itself was advertised strangely, and it was difficult to grasp what to expect. Thankfully, the conference's logo did provide a glimpse into what lay ahead: a twisted hierarchical structure that seemed to reflect the industry as a whole.

The community comprised of those who love online celebrities so much that they're willing to pay upwards of $150 to see one in person. This tier was followed by the creator track, which consisted of those who want to become said celebrities themselves. Above that lay the industry track, comprising those who want to get rich off of these celebrities.

I highly recommend attending the conference, but only if you buy an industry pass. Why? Well, for starters, it's on the third floor where there's a bar, a cold and dark ballroom with free food, and a distinct absence of pre-teens – something I was completely unprepared for. As someone who doesn't often encounter children, I found myself facing an incredible test of fortitude that day.

The industry seminars at VidCon revealed a treacherous new landscape even after the conference's 7th annual iteration. Established behemoths have fallen without a moment's notice, leaving only uncertainty and unpredictability in their wake. This is made apparent by slides such as "Netflix is Bay" with Bae punctuated to signify some acronym.

Furthermore, presentations often referenced YouTube as a place for cat videos – an outdated paradigm that seemed out of touch with the times. In contrast, references to memes and jump cuts were often absent from these talks, leaving me wondering if anyone who paid to attend had actually learned anything at all.

As I conclude this account, I must admit that I've probably lost every viewer's attention by now. I'm told that's the end of the video, but for those who are still with me, please don't forget to like and subscribe – just kidding; this video is actually over!

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enhello and at the risk of losing your attention I've been advised to get straight to the point this year I was sent to VidCon to investigate the world of popular online video I took down a scroll of notes and wrote my findings into a brief essay only to be reminded that I'd spent two days being conrolled into the notion that anyone under 40 can't read and prefers nothing but online video here's a video as made apparent by what YouTube calls my channel despite an embarrassing lack of cohesion and content I don't like YouTube it's hard and it's scary I did not fit in at VidCon upon registration I did encounter an 8-year-old boy barely grasping a half pointed at the ground handy cam slurring out a hey guys I'm here at Etc type of monologue this proved to be common as many attendees are recording themselves for the entire conference the more enterprising of which have half slave Chums who do the recording for them anyone apt to watch this video is confused by this behavior and may be confused by the conference itself bidcon is advertised strangely and it's hard to grasp what to expect fortunately the conference's logo is a perfect encapsulation of this event Twisted hierarchical structure quite literally at the bottom is the community comprised of those who love online celebrities so much that they're willing to pay upwards of $150 to see one one tier higher is the creator track comprised of those who want to become said celebrities and above that is the industry track comprised of those who want to get rich off of said celebrities if you must in fact attend this conference I recommend that you buy an industry pass because it's on the third floor where there's a bar a cold dark Ballroom free food and a distinct absence of pre teens as a brief aside I should mention that I am not often placed in the presence of children and was completely unprepared for the incredible test of a fortitude I was to endure by these shrill and glassy monsters if you'd like to save a grand in a trip here's what I learned at the industry seminars nobody knows what's going on online video is a treacherous new landscape even after this conference's 7eventh annual iteration and established behemoths fall to the Wayside without a moment's notice it's terrifying and unpredictable as made apparent by this slide entitled Netflix is Bay in which Bae is punctuated as if to signify some acronym the slide after this one was titled Millennials heart online video and the presenter confusedly announced it as Millennials less than three online video even without this hilarious slip up I do believe that this information was impossible to teach anything to anyone who paid to visit a video conference built on a foundational Bedrock of obviously enthralled Millennials whose screams can be heard from the third floor past closed doors more evidence of Oblivion can be found in many presenters references to YouTube as a place for cat videos a painfully outdated Paradigm compared to more timely references to things like memes and jump cuts which were ner to be heard I'm told that I've probably lost every viewer's attention by now so that's the end of the video bye hey guys don't forget to like And subscribe haha just kidding the video is actually overhello and at the risk of losing your attention I've been advised to get straight to the point this year I was sent to VidCon to investigate the world of popular online video I took down a scroll of notes and wrote my findings into a brief essay only to be reminded that I'd spent two days being conrolled into the notion that anyone under 40 can't read and prefers nothing but online video here's a video as made apparent by what YouTube calls my channel despite an embarrassing lack of cohesion and content I don't like YouTube it's hard and it's scary I did not fit in at VidCon upon registration I did encounter an 8-year-old boy barely grasping a half pointed at the ground handy cam slurring out a hey guys I'm here at Etc type of monologue this proved to be common as many attendees are recording themselves for the entire conference the more enterprising of which have half slave Chums who do the recording for them anyone apt to watch this video is confused by this behavior and may be confused by the conference itself bidcon is advertised strangely and it's hard to grasp what to expect fortunately the conference's logo is a perfect encapsulation of this event Twisted hierarchical structure quite literally at the bottom is the community comprised of those who love online celebrities so much that they're willing to pay upwards of $150 to see one one tier higher is the creator track comprised of those who want to become said celebrities and above that is the industry track comprised of those who want to get rich off of said celebrities if you must in fact attend this conference I recommend that you buy an industry pass because it's on the third floor where there's a bar a cold dark Ballroom free food and a distinct absence of pre teens as a brief aside I should mention that I am not often placed in the presence of children and was completely unprepared for the incredible test of a fortitude I was to endure by these shrill and glassy monsters if you'd like to save a grand in a trip here's what I learned at the industry seminars nobody knows what's going on online video is a treacherous new landscape even after this conference's 7eventh annual iteration and established behemoths fall to the Wayside without a moment's notice it's terrifying and unpredictable as made apparent by this slide entitled Netflix is Bay in which Bae is punctuated as if to signify some acronym the slide after this one was titled Millennials heart online video and the presenter confusedly announced it as Millennials less than three online video even without this hilarious slip up I do believe that this information was impossible to teach anything to anyone who paid to visit a video conference built on a foundational Bedrock of obviously enthralled Millennials whose screams can be heard from the third floor past closed doors more evidence of Oblivion can be found in many presenters references to YouTube as a place for cat videos a painfully outdated Paradigm compared to more timely references to things like memes and jump cuts which were ner to be heard I'm told that I've probably lost every viewer's attention by now so that's the end of the video bye hey guys don't forget to like And subscribe haha just kidding the video is actually over\n"