A decade ago, it was unheard of to make a living from posting videos to YouTube.  It was a hobby, a pastime, and just entertainment.  The videos were chaotic, random, hilarious, and heartwarming; anyone could post something to share it with others.  There was sheer joy in filming something, editing it together, and broadcasting it to an audience.

The headline of a 2006 TIME Magazine read “Person of the Year: You” and featured a reflective surface on a computer screen, with a video playback progress bar at the bottom of the mirror.  If you looked at the cover the right way, you could see yourself framed in the video.  No longer did anyone have to tell you what to do or say or show; the connection between you and an audience was immediate.  It was up to you.

Now, years later, more people than ever are submitting their user-generated video content to the site.  The library of content is growing at a faster and faster rate.  It is easy to be intimidated by increased competition, but more viewers bring more opportunities.  Topics previously absent from the public radar now have entire communities rallying behind them.  Newcomers and veterans alike can explore the smallest niches to find abundant worlds of ideas.

Creativity, exploration, and surprises are still here, even if much has changed since the inception of the site.  People like me can create whatever they want and get paid, changing what could just be a hobby into a full-time job for filmmakers, builders, teachers, gamers, musicians and artists.  Old videos continue to find new fans, inspiring the next generations to be the voices they’d like to hear.  The future of the site is not going to be perfect, but it’s going to be interesting.  As long as people want to make crazy videos, there’s a good chance somebody else out there wants to watch it.

Thank you!

Robert