With the web changing the “fame game” at a constant & rapid rate, few internet celebrities (or as I like to call them, “ce-WEB-rities”) suprise me. However, this particular case has peaked my interest and curiousity like none other.
Chances are, if you have a child in their teen years or younger, you’ve heard of Fred Figglehorn, YouTube star and alter-ego of 15-year old Nebraskan Lucas Cruikshank. Fred is a high-pitched, chipmunk-voiced 6-year old boy that has managed to become the most subscribed to channel in the history of YouTube with over a million subscribers and 28 million views.
Few, if any, have been able to understand just what makes these short “one-man show” videos so popular. In fact, those that dare question the appeal of Fred are accused of being ”too old” to understand the humor. While I am certainly puzzled by the worldwide popularity of this character, I am more fascinated and intrigued by the power of our generation and how indicative this “child-star” is of our society. We currently live in a period when a 15-year boy from Nebraska, who writes-acts-produces-films-and uploads his own videos, has more appeal, interest and dedicated viewers on YouTube than the first Black president in the history of the United States or any other well-known figure.
To me, this is both frightening and exciting all at the same time. I find it frightening because I fear the future of our generation and our fascination and obsession with superficiality and, dare I say it, meaningless entertainment. Mostly however, I find it exciting because we have become a group of people that builds one another up, encourages our peers and finds the talent and appeal in a wide variety of people. We have created a world where a teenager on a farm in Nebraska can find more online success and support than well-known celebrities or the most calculated, sophisticated and brilliant online marketing strategies. I believe Fred- this internet phenomenon – has proven that there is no set code, rhyme or reason to the “viral-ity” of an online upload. Lastly, I find it exciting because YouTube and its social media brethran have democratized fame and success, allowing everybody to have a fair shot at being somebody.
Not really sure who Fred is? Check out one of his recent YouTube videos.