Operation: Budding Genius

“Within 15 months, Youtube.com has become one of the internet’s most watched websites, with 25 million hits a day.
More than 40 million original clips and TV segments have been uploaded by visitors.”

The website provides free editing and uploading tools. Even the player is built on open source code. Traditional video players have largely been replaced by Flash, because of its flexibility and huge install base.

Social networking websites like MySpace.com have fuelled the viral intensity of web videos.

Marketers and advertisers are not far behind, using these sites to their advantage, but DIY video is a double-edged sword.

One car company recently invited visitors to create their own commercial from the supplied clips and fonts.

The idea quickly caught the attention of environmentalists who created their own advertising campaign.

But despite the setbacks, everyone in the industry says online video 2.0 is here to stay and it is only a matter of time before a new tier of home-based entertainers become household names around the world.

Excerpt taken from

BBC NEWS | Programmes | Click | The viral video online revolution:

Cyber-bullying used to involve sending threatening texts or e-mails, but the class of 2008 are finding social networks to be a fertile, and occasionally dangerous breeding ground, as Ian Hardy found out.

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With just weeks left before the Olympic Games, a major Chinese government crackdown is taking place in Tibet, and a climate of fear grips the region.

This spring, Tibetans began escalating protests against the repressive policies of the Chinese government and its harsh campaign against the Dalai Lama. These demonstrations have been met with brutality. Thousands of Tibetans, including Buddhist monks and nuns, have been detained, interrogated and tortured. More than one hundred have been killed.Of special concern are the untold number of Tibetans who have disappeared since the crackdown began.

Now is the time to sign the petition urging world leaders not to commit to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics!

Click Here to Sign the Petition Your signature will be delivered to world leaders through their embassies and consulates.

Already, we have received almost 20,000 signatures from all around the world. Help us reach our goal of 50,000!

The International Campaign for Tibet is calling for:

* A full accounting of Tibetans currently detained, and due process of law.* Real progress in the Sino-Tibetan dialogue.* Open access for the media in Tibet, as promised in China¹s Olympic bid.

World leaders should carefully weigh these concerns before they commit to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

The Olympic Games is an international sporting event.
The Olympic torch is a symbol of peace.

Neither the torch nor the Games belong to Beijing, but to the citizens of the world, including the Tibetan people. Let¹s send a clear message to the Chinese government to stop the crackdownin Tibet and engage in genuine dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Thank you for your support of the Tibetan people! Please Forward This Message
Click here to forward

A short video summarizing some of the most important characteristics of students today – how they learn, what they need to learn, their goals, hopes, dreams, what their lives will be like, and what kinds of changes they will experience in their lifetime. Created by Michael Wesch in collaboration with 200 students at Kansas State University.

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A short video summarizing some of the most important characteristics of students today – how they learn, what they need to learn, their goals, hopes, dreams, what their lives will be like, and what kinds of changes they will experience in their lifetime. Created by Michael Wesch in collaboration with 200 students at Kansas State University.

read more | digg story