Creative Expression or Mere Mischief? Team Reck's Vlogs

by Maureen Googoo
A group of teens in New York's Washington Heights who call themselves Team Reck have posted around 40 videos on YouTube, from relatively sedate dance routines to practical jokes that some say go too far. The energetic youths are taking advantage of readily available technology to share their camaraderie and antics with the world. But what is the result? "Sometimes, you cross the line and you don’t realize it. There’s a point when it’s funny and there’s a point when it’s not. And what they did was not funny at all," said local community leader George Espinal. Critics worry about the effects of what they call such anti-social behavior, and fear content-sharing sites may exacerbate the problem.
-Interested in Maureen Googoo's article? Contact her at mag2169@columbia.edu

The Unpredictability of Online Social Networking

by Paulo Kluber
Considering the meteoric rise of YouTube and MySpace, it's not surprising that people use online networks for various reasons. But, it is the challenge posed by trying to ring a profit out of these vast networks that has many business analysts worried. To be sure, problems lurk on social networking sites, from privacy concerns to cyberstalkers. Still, the strong interest shown in this technology by major business players--as evidenced by recent blockbuster purchases--suggests this unpredictable segment of the web is off to an exciting start.
-Interested in Paulo Kluber's article? Contact him at pfk2104@columbia.edu

Internet Access: A Playground for Self-Promotion

by Teri Berg
With the help of technology, Nelson Torres has turned WTF Wrestling Outlaws, a wrestling group in Harlem, into a one-man show and a fledgling promotions company. In "Internet Access: A Playground for Self-Promotion," Berg explores the world of WTF Wrestling Entertainment and the role that Internet access could potentially play in the company's success.
-Interested in Teri Berg's article? Contact her at tb2231@columbia.edu

YouTube: A Place to Break Television News?

by Victoria Baranetsky
This October Columbia University received national media coverage after students disrupted an on-campus speech being given by Minuteman Project founder Jim Gilchrist. CTV news, the weekly Columbia Television Station, became the only source to obtain video footage of the event and immediately posted its coverage on YouTube.com. The video pioneered YouTube into the realm of an online supplementary news source, after its recent purchase by Google.
-Interested in Victoria Baranetsky's article? Contact her at vdb2003@columbia.edu

Reaching God in Broadband: Christianity and the Rise of Viral Video

by Tara Kyle
Why wait until Sunday to go to church? Now, you can supplement your churchgoing experience with streaming video...faith expressed through poetry or even the Last Supper as a sand sculpture. Viral video websites allow you to discuss your beliefs, debate theology and create Christian music videos 24/7. In an article titled "Reaching God in Broadband: Christianity and the Rise of Viral Video," Tara Kyle looks into how sites like YouTube, Metacafe and Veoh have developed into a new arena for personal testimonials and an emerging forum for youth ministries.
-Interested in Tara Kyle's article? Contact her at tdk2107@columbia.edu