Last month, I had the pleasure of attending VidCon 2014! (Apologies for the late recap!) It was probably one of the coolest thing I will do all year! After meeting the stars and producers of the Lizzie Bennet  Diaries, listening to supercool spoken word artists like Sarah Kay, watching the Potter Puppet Pals live, and participating in a discussion about diversity on YouTube, I have a new-found appreciation for YouTube.

In all honesty, I am not a huge YouTuber. I mainly use YouTube to listen to music or when my friends send me funny videos (see:  Jenna Marbles, vlogbrothers, etc) to watch. I don’t really watch any users avidly (aside from my wonderful friend and vlogger @hypermele (check her out! :))). That being said, that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the form! Before VidCon, I knew that YouTube was up and coming as an industry-thing and alla that jazz. After VidCon, however, I realize that YouTube is not just a commodity or video-uploading browser-whatever-thing (forgive my lame terminology). YouTube is a place for self-expression, personal exploration, and passion!

Some of the big YouTube stars admitted on the main stage to having stage fright or having social anxiety before getting “big.” They all shared their personal stories of overcoming their fears and going after what they loved. They gave viewers hope that “it will get better.”

Now, I realize that YouTube and the Internet in general is full of people who consider themselves socially awkward/inept–I know because I feel like I’m one of them. In actuality (and I hope I’m trying to put this in the most sensitive and respectful way possible), a lot of people who use YouTube may struggle with social interaction. Some of their closest friends may be people on the other side of the country who tweet at them occasionally or like their videos. YouTube connects them all together. I think that’s incredible and I think that’s one of the most important thing about VidCon.

This convention brings together people from all around the world to appreciate creators and their creations. Waiting in line for the Lizzie Bennet Diaries signing, I saw several convention-goers walk away from the table with huge smiles on their faces, clutching their signed notebooks. In line for the Spoken Word panel, I overheard conversations with YouTubers about their common interests, which in turn turned into a card game of War. Passing through the Merch Hall, I watched (and participated in!) a real game of Quidditch for people who are highly committed to the sport. Sitting in the audience of the main stage, I witnessed an actual marriage proposal–VidCon being the couple’s “special place.” Something is unlocked within people here. They find a community in this place; they find people who understand a part of them that not many others do.

Seeing so many happy people in one place made me happy–happy that a place like that existed and happy that they could be happy. I don’t know if that makes sense, because, like, people should be capable of being happy, right? Yes and no. I mean, as an angsty teenager, I know that life sucks and people suck, not all the time, but sometimes it feels that way. I was just happy seeing the joy on kids’, teens’, and adults’ faces for the three days I was there.

It was a pretty great experience 🙂

NOW, despite the awesomeness that was VidCon, I want to mention some of the not-so-awesome things. This was VidCon’s 5th and biggest year. It was my first time attending so I don’t really have anything to compare it to, but I have been to other conventions and big events. It was not superbly organized. Of course, it was all well done and fun–but the security did not seem to be very good. I don’t want to go into too much detail of it, but I will say that I think everyone involved in such a huge event should be on the same page. Another thing was the crowds and crowds of people. There were SO many attendees–and that’s great and awesome! But it came with a price of long lines to meet creators and… fangirly screaming. I don’t know if it’s just me, but a lot of the high schoolers that I saw at VidCon seemed to be like teeny-boppers. I’m not sure how to describe it. Like, for me, VidCon is for nerds and I’m a nerd and being a nerd is the best thing ever, but some people… it was like they were posing. BUT WHO AM I TO JUDGE THESE PEOPLE especially if they love their favorite YouTubers like the rest of the attendees? I’m just simply saying. To me, VidCon is more than just a place to get pictures with some cute user.

OKAY, here’s a list of things that I was able to experience:

• Julia Nunes
• Tessa Violet
• Boyce Avenue
• Sarah Kay and other spoken word artists!
• The stars and writers/producers of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
• Captain Sparkles (Jordan)
• ALMOST John and Hank Green
• Diversity Panel with Superwoman, Hartbeat, BlackNerd, MalfoyIsOurKing, Jimmy Wong, Glazell
• Earth to Echo
• Potter Puppet Pals
• Alex G
• Kandee Johnson
• Star Wars Storm Troopers
• Silent Disco
• Quidditch!!!!!!!!!
• SourceFed
• Driftless Pony Club

Thus concludes my (late) VidCon blog. Thanks for reading! Hopefully I’ll be able to update more next week with why I’ve been so busy this month. Until then, cheers! 🙂