The YouTube Generation

Almost a year ago today, Google ran an article that analyzed the question of "who watches and contributes to YouTube the most?"  
The research concluded that the millennials contribute to the  "YouTube generation."  According to this study, over 80% of millennials make up the website's audience.  Based on its findings, Google has placed a label on said viewers that not only defines their demographic but also outlines their state of mind — Gen C.

In describing this new label, Google says that "...Gen C is more than an age-group; it's a mindset defined by creation, curation, connection and community."  It is a self-sustaining, expansive, dynamic entity that cultivates expression in every sense of the word.  

Now, while this information may point out a fairly obvious point, namely that twenty-somethings make up the general population of YouTube and social media in general, Google goes on to provide more stats about Gen C.

On the "social" front:

Okay, nothing earth-moving there.  Social media has grown in popularity ever since its conception.  The fact that millennials are proficient in the ways of digital media and technology seems fair.

On the technology front:

Slightly creepy choice of words, even for Google, but still no shocking revelation.  With multiple events and conversations going on at once across the Internet, it's not a stretch to say that smartphone users have a hard time unplugging.

Millennials use smartphones, smartphones have the YouTube, millennials use smartphones to watch the YouTube. Transitive property at work.

On the economic front:

Wait, how much?

Thank you, Google.

500 freakin' billion dollars.  

Generated by Tweets?  And Facebook posts?  And Tumbling???

Ginny Marvin, a writer for Market Land who focuses on online marketing and revenue, concluded that, at the end of 2013, "social media finally seems to have become a part of the revenue equation for many companies."  

(Since you are probably tired of reading numbers, you can view Marvin's statistics and colorful charts here).

Does social media carry more power than previously thought?  Does the generation that spends too much time posting and taking selfies actually contain the potential to change the direction of society? 

Until that question can be answered indefinitely, please enjoy tank missile:

(Because really, nothing is more BA than Iron Man dodging a round, shooting a slightly delayed, lethal explosive, and walking away.

You're welcome.)