With so many ways to step into the public eye, many people in this day and age have notions of becoming famous. Some people (usually those who are particularly determined, have connections in the business, or simply have good luck) do this by becoming reality television stars. They often parlay that opportunity into further opportunities, dragging their fifteen minutes of fame out for much longer. For some people, however, breaking into the public eye is not as easy. One way to do it is via the internet, for instance a fashion blog or an anime review show on YouTube.
Before reality television, and before everyone had access to webcams and the ability to broadcast things on the internet, cable access television was often one's first attempt at fame. Local cable networks would provide airtime at a low or nonexistent cost to the public.
The popular 1990s Saturday Night Live sketch Wayne's World was a satire of this phenomenon, featuring two high school students with dreams of becoming famous through their cable access show. The movie of the same title, which grew out of the sketch, followed Wayne and Garth as their show was picked up by a national network.
Cable access is still around, but not as many people us it anymore. These days, a more popular option is YouTube. Sometimes YouTube users have notions similar to those of the Wayne's World characters: getting famous by sharing their opinions. Other times, they have a serious message they want to convey. Regardless of the purpose, YouTube gives users the opportunity to connect with the public and make a statement.
The phenomenon of the viral video has made this platform all the more enticing. We have repeatedly seen people thrust into the public eye when their YouTube clips have been widely circulated on the internet (also known as "going viral."). This can happen on purpose, such as with Rebecca Black's "Friday" video, or accidentally, such as with Antoine Dodson and the "Bed Intruder" song.
For people who have information they want to convey but do not feel comfortable in front of a camera, blogging is often an option. Bloggers have achieved sudden fame and even fortune, too, such as in the case of Nate Silver. Silver was a political blogger. When he was younger, he had developed a formula by which he predicted baseball statistics. Silver adapted this tool to be applied to election results, and shared his predictions on his blog. When they turned out to be correct, he became an overnight sensation and a millionaire.
One of the reasons the internet has become more popular than cable access is that it provides the user with a wider audience. While cable access is a local thing, the internet broadcasts things all over the world. It is generally unlikely that cable access would connect an aspiring performer or journalist with the type of audience that could catapult them to fame. However, this happens all the time on the internet.
The World Wide Web has created a space where all kinds of people can share their ideas and display their talents. Whether your dream is to have an anime review show, to write about fashion, or to perform a comedy sketch, you can do it online. Sharing it with the world is as simple as using a webcam and clicking a few links.
Before reality television, and before everyone had access to webcams and the ability to broadcast things on the internet, cable access television was often one's first attempt at fame. Local cable networks would provide airtime at a low or nonexistent cost to the public.
The popular 1990s Saturday Night Live sketch Wayne's World was a satire of this phenomenon, featuring two high school students with dreams of becoming famous through their cable access show. The movie of the same title, which grew out of the sketch, followed Wayne and Garth as their show was picked up by a national network.
Cable access is still around, but not as many people us it anymore. These days, a more popular option is YouTube. Sometimes YouTube users have notions similar to those of the Wayne's World characters: getting famous by sharing their opinions. Other times, they have a serious message they want to convey. Regardless of the purpose, YouTube gives users the opportunity to connect with the public and make a statement.
The phenomenon of the viral video has made this platform all the more enticing. We have repeatedly seen people thrust into the public eye when their YouTube clips have been widely circulated on the internet (also known as "going viral."). This can happen on purpose, such as with Rebecca Black's "Friday" video, or accidentally, such as with Antoine Dodson and the "Bed Intruder" song.
For people who have information they want to convey but do not feel comfortable in front of a camera, blogging is often an option. Bloggers have achieved sudden fame and even fortune, too, such as in the case of Nate Silver. Silver was a political blogger. When he was younger, he had developed a formula by which he predicted baseball statistics. Silver adapted this tool to be applied to election results, and shared his predictions on his blog. When they turned out to be correct, he became an overnight sensation and a millionaire.
One of the reasons the internet has become more popular than cable access is that it provides the user with a wider audience. While cable access is a local thing, the internet broadcasts things all over the world. It is generally unlikely that cable access would connect an aspiring performer or journalist with the type of audience that could catapult them to fame. However, this happens all the time on the internet.
The World Wide Web has created a space where all kinds of people can share their ideas and display their talents. Whether your dream is to have an anime review show, to write about fashion, or to perform a comedy sketch, you can do it online. Sharing it with the world is as simple as using a webcam and clicking a few links.
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