Indeed, Youtube makes our life easier. We can learn how to cook by viewing the recipe over and over again, gain new information and knowledge on issues all over the world, hopeful performers get their gigs and if they are lucky, they can get a record deal. Now, we can even see political campaign in Youtube. Barrack Obama did exactly that.

The Obama video went viral during the 2008 United State presidential election and that had made him famous throughout the world. Besides the catchy tagline of the First American Black President, he embraced the fact that Youtube can help him win his presidential election. He knows that with Youtube, he can gain more viewership. With viewership, more people know about his existence and thus, helped him win the election.

What's not to love in Youtube, it gave Obama the chances of using free advertising to organize his campaign and spread his agenda, something that requires a lot of volunteers and paid advertisers. John Trippi, a politician analyst said in The New York Times that “The campaign’s official stuff they created for YouTube was watched for 14.5 million hours. To buy 14.5 million hours on broadcast TV is $47 million.”

With Youtube, viewers can also watch his video over and over again and send the link to their friends without interrupting viewers time on the television.

His rate of winning increased not only because of his campaign video went viral, but also because of the support from artist.

Ludacris- Obama is here

With this combination, the younger generations who were mostly reluctant to vote were persuaded to vote. Click here for more info

Songs created by various artist who pledge support on Barrack Obama strengthen his chances of winning in the presidential election.

Lowkey- Obama Nation

Lowkey ft Lupe Fiasco, M1 (Dead Prez), Black the Ripper- Obama Nation Part 2

So, thinking on joining the politics? Join Youtube now.

And how could we forget about the entertainments that these photo/video uploading media have to offer.

Saw a funny picture? Post/ Upload it and share. Happiness shared is doubled.
As mentioned by Powell, Groves and Dimos (2011),the easy convenience of sharing videos, jokes and other content has always succeed in providing the users of the entertainments. For instance, as mentioned, the YouTube video, the Flickr image sharing service and podcasting audio format are the most popular, they grant the users easy access to the entertaining content.

Youtube, for example, the videos uploaded can be commented and ranked, and links can be shared or embedded in other websites. They can even be sorted by popularity in terms of the number of views or their ranks, the most discussed or other criteria.


Saw some funny video on youtube? Share it. Or better, record them yourself and be the entertainer of the day.

It's been obvious that with these social media, it cost you nothing to be entertained and get a good laugh. Just a click away to laughter, fun and joy.



Reference
Powell, G.R., Groves, S.W., Dimos, J. (2011) Roi of social media: How to improve the return on your social marketing investment. Singapore: John Wiley & Sons (Asia)

            As we know, users can post anything that they want to the video sharing websites such as YouTube. It can be described as free online forum for users to express their ideas or opinion. Although users’ criticism or judgement can be positively or negatively, we cannot deny that video sharing websites has ability influence its users by providing an easy way for them to share their view and personalities to everyone around the world (AmericanShinobi, n.d.).

            Today, video sharing websites had become popular culture among societies. Any news or issue that the societies especially young people think it is an interesting matter, as soon we can see it had appeared in the video sharing websites. In other words, it is an alternative tool faster spread the news or social issues even these issues can cause social disorderly.

            Print media only provide one way of communication for its readers but online media not only distribute news and information, it also allows feedback from the readers. It provides a free space for people voice out their ideas or opinion and discuss the social issues with other readers. For example, once the video about protest at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) had been broadcasted in YouTube, it becomes a popular discussion issue among viewers. Besides voice out their opinion about that issue, they also criticize each other ideas or views. Video at below reflect the situation which a group of daring students protest at their university, UPSI.

 

During 17 December 2011, they participant in this protest in order to fight for academic freedom and abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) or in Malay it called as AUKU. They are leaded by Adam Adli Abdul Halim who will enter 5^th semester for Bachelor of Education in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) at UPSI. When he is 12 years old, he had already joined in protest activity and advises some of the students do not sit for final examination after UPSR examination. To get more information can review this link http://shaiful-hulusgr.blogspot.com/2012/01/adam-adli-pernah-buat-mogok-kat-sekolah.html.  

When others are celebrating New Year 2012, this group of students is taking part in illegal gathering at UPSI. Due to hold back this illegal gathering, FRU police attack into UPSI. In consequence, Adam and another student, Safwan are seriously injured as they were beaten by the police. Some people claim that they disobey police command, have impolite behavior and participant in illegal activity, so beaten by police.

Some of the viewers argue that the students should not take part in the protest before finish their study. It may because they lack of knowledge or experience about innovation of act. They should concern about their future and family reputation. It may be a shame for themselves or their family. Viewers also claim that the leader, Adam is asked for it and cannot blame the police as they are carrying out their responsibility. Below are the examples of viewers' argument .

"Mahasiswa kepala bana ko....aku pun mahasiswa gak...tapi takde lah guna kepala lutut...belajar lah tinggi2 dulu...kalau betul nak gubal akta atau nak buat undang2...belajar tinggi2...pastu masuk politik melalui saluran yang betul...mak bapak ko pun menagis tengok korang cam ni....pikir masa depan,keluarga dulu sebelum buat ape2...."

"Budak2 adam ni sndiri yg cri masalah..polis dh bg amaran,xnk dngr...bla jdi bgini nk salahkn polis pulak...polis dh jlnkn tggungjwb...."

               Moreover, viewers also criticize other idea or opinion. 

"Boleh hantar memo tu cara baik tak..tak payah jerit jerit mcm org gila..kalau mcm ini aku pun marah..kalau dekat rumah aku ,aku lontar dgn kayu...buat bising saja."

"Bkn hantar memorandum la...kaji la dlu..mereka mahu pagar upsi dibuka kerana mereka adalah pelajar disitu...mereka hanya mahu akta auku dihapuskan..tolong google ape itu auku...kaji la...jgn jdi manusia yg diheret hidung mcm lembu..."

However, some of the argument are not rational and no sense.  For example, "Kalau melawan, pukul je polis, kecoh, nak mampus budak adam ni.." and "Asal suara kau macam gay ah?haha".

I think that police should not beat the students as they want. Beating student is not a good solution to stop them from continue the illegal gathering. By contrast, it can harm their body and cause this issue become more serious. Most of these argument are negatively and disagreement. 
 Regardless of any issue, we should give the rational or logical view instead of criticize what we want  and do not think about the effects. Video sharing website is a good space for people discuss social issues or global issues and must use it appropriately. This discussion forum can reflect how the society concern other societies problem.   

Reference

AmericanShinobi. The Impact of YouTube on Popular Culture. Retrieved Jun 02, 2012 from http://teenink.com/college_guide/college_essays/article/174139/The-Impact-of-YouTube-on-Popular-Culture/

           

            The new business platform

            Photo and video sharing on social media and social networking sites has evolved from sharing information and updating friend’s status into a whole new professional level – business. People in all demographics and regions of the world are more connected than ever before to the products, issues, places, and individuals in their lives, social media has allowed them to “represent their real identity--both personal and professional--and use the social filters on the Web to connect with the world around them” (Chung, 2009).

            People are operating shops without having to pay any rents! This is a whole new different era, believe it or not – it has become one of the latest and popular trends among us. People selling clothes, apparels, accessories, food and beverages, domestic household stuffs… and the list goes on … through sharing the photos of their merchandise on the internet. Some may even have customer review recorded and upload the video to convince and attract more customers. Even the large established incorporation such as McDonald’s and Manhattan Fish Market are relying on social media to update their promotions and new menu.

             According to Goldfarb (2010), there are a shocking amount of potential customers that now turn into social media for information about companies and products. The “2010 Social Media Report” from Foresee Results has revealed that 69% of the online shoppers regularly uses social media websites such as Facebook. In facebook, there is Fan page, personal profile, private or open groups, event invitations – all these that can be fully utilized into a great marketing and promotion tools. And it’s free!  

            Of course, the advantages of these social media does not limits on expanding business opporturnity – it encourages fame and popularity as well! Well, we’ll leave that for other authors to blog on. As for now, when you do want to initiate your own business – don’t forget the power of social media. Low risk, high return. Lelong Lelong~

Chung, W.S.C. (2009). The facebook era.Prentice Hall. Retrieved from http://books.google.com.my/books?id=tOEEbXGxFXEC&q=business+on+facebook&dq=business+on+facebook&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KH60T6WFPIPJrAevub2MDA&ved=0CDsQ6AEwAA

Goldfarb, S. (2010). Facebook for business. Tradimax.com