By Morgan Willie
YouTube is a media platform that has blossomed immensely since its foundation in 2005. It has grown to encompass everything from sketch comedy to world news. Yet, many people still primarily use YouTube to watch music videos and clips of funny cats. They haven’t recognized the potential this website really has.
YouTube allows content creators to spread their message to millions of people each day using a format that’s both informative and entertaining. It allows creators to connect with their audience on a more personal level. Viewers can leave comments, and video responses that express their opinions about the content. It’s a unique experience to feel like part of such a large and ever-changing community.
I’ve had the honor of making friends with two people who truly understand the power of YouTube. They are Olympia vloggers Magdalena (Maggie) Angel and Teal Christensen. These girls are just as passionate as I am when it comes to social media and video making.
They started their channel, JournalizingGents, in December of 2012 as a way to document their lives and promote critical analysis of human consciousness in a fun, engaging fashion. They talk about existence and what it means to be alive. Additionally, they venture through an assortment of Thurston County forests.
JournalizingGents is a channel that incorporates conceptual discussion with splendid little adventures. “We had this idea last year that we were going to do all the awesome things because it was our junior year (of high school) and we were going to be going to college [through Running Start] and driving,” Maggie told me with a smile on her face. To that Teal added, “Awesome became conceivable this year because we had accessibility.”
Once they had the general concept, it was time to start gathering their thoughts. “Last year we filled about a journal and a half with all this stuff. And, then this year we decided, well, that can be the content for our vlog, all the stuff we figured out last year,” said Maggie. Teal commented, “One day we were like, ‘We need to write down all these ideas and pass them between each other.’ Those ideas were really underdeveloped, but that was the starting point.”
Author John Green and his brother Hank, the VlogBrothers, had a tremendous influence on the JournalizingGents channel. While the brothers didn’t create vlogging per se, they have sure influenced the YouTube community and set high standards for those wanting to start a vlog. Teal stated, “Ideally our ‘actualization scheme’ that we were going for was because of these people. That was the start of us trying to think critically about life and be more aware.”
One thing that John and Hank try to encourage through talking about music, books, and politics is “nerd culture.” When I asked her about this, Maggie remarked, “They talk a lot about nerdiness and how it’s not an actual thing. It’s just being really excited about stuff.” The VlogBrothers have created a community where “being really excited about stuff” isn’t dismissed as weird or geeky. They have meet-ups and gatherings for nerdfighters, followers of John and Hank, where you can introduce yourself to them or the other entertainers present, and make loads of new friends that have similar interests.
Maggie, Teal, and I ended up seeing each other at one of these meet-ups back in July of 2012. It was the Ten Year Bandiversary Tour for the wizard rock band, Harry and the Potters. Along with the band, Harry Potter Puppet pals creator, Neil Cicierega, and of course, Hank Green also made an appearance. All of these creators have two things in common: obviously, they have a deep-seated love for Harry Potter, but more importantly they have used YouTube as the platform for which their content has flourished.
Maggie and Teal aren’t quite as popular as the VlogBrothers, but Hank and John have been in the vlogging game for a much longer time. JournalizingGents only has 59 subscribers (at press time) and this number is astonishingly low for such a cute and thought-provoking channel. The girls are sure that they want to keep vlogging through their senior year, but what about after high school? I asked Teal how she felt about this and she responded, “We’re two people that don’t have a lot of friends, so we don’t have a lot of subscribers. But, if there was a substantial audience, that would be a reason to keep going.”
For now, the duo are just creating content because both Maggie and Teal enjoy video filming and editing. However, I am absolutely positive that, with a bigger fan base, their material would be produced more regularly and the girls would be able to cultivate their talents. I highly recommend subscribing to the JournalizingGents channel and supporting vloggers on YouTube. Being a part of the YouTube community has been and will continue to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life – maybe it could be the same for you!
To watch JournalizingGents, click here.
