A Community Based Entirely Online

            When reading through the article Is Facebook Making Us Lonely, I had a few opposing views. I feel that if we allow Facebook to make us feel lonely then it is is the only way it is making us lonely but I think that Facebook and other social media sites allow us to have a sense of community within cyber space. I can see where the article is coming from and except that in a case among certain people but overall social media has brought us closer and even developed entire communities online.

            On the website called Youtube individual are able to broadcast their own video, shows, short movies and opinion pieces. Now to an individual who may not interact as much with the website may not realize that there is a following and could even say community. With the ability to follow one particular Youtuber and continuously watch their channel you may find yourself part of that Youtuber’s community of fans. I currently follow quite a few Youtubers like Katers17, and Ghostrobo. Both of these Youtubers have created a community through the use of Youtube and by uploading good quality content on a regular bases. Katers17 I have watched for the past few years and I feel as if I have become a part of a community who follows this individual. I have even had the ability to meet her and her boyfriend Corey, aka SMPFilms, who happens to also be a Youtuber. I have more recently become a fan of Ghostrobo and feel as if I am part of a large fan base and community following this fellow Hoosier.

            With the website Youtube, communities have began to build community online, and even bridge gaps for people who even live in different countries. Rooster Teeth is a good example of this. As you guys probably already know that I am a big fan of this Youtube channel called Rooster Teeth. Rooster Teeth is actually bigger then just Youtube and actually has created an online community through their own social media website on their main website. Rooster Teeth’s fan bases reaches across the entire world and brings fans together on the Rooster Teeth website. Every day thousands of people sign on to the Rooster Teeth fan site to be together. Through the use of this one website people have begun to build friendships without the worry of distance and or counties borders. Rooster Teeth fans from America can communicate with fellow fans based in Australia and began to develop a close community. Only in the modern era can a small company of about 120 people and based in Austin Texas can create a community that is international.

            I believe that with the use of the Internet, that is used correctly, we could never feel lonely again. By the means of social media venues and broadcast mediums, like Youtube, can create communities that will support each other. Through these communities we are able to no longer feel lonely because we have both our local and online communities there for support. As long as the consumer uses these sites to bridge together relationships we will never feel lonely.