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YouTube Awards Bypass Britney’s No. 1 Privacy Advocate
By Privacy Maven | March 21, 2008
Chris Crocker’s “Leave Britney Alone!” receiving tens of millions of views and inspiring thousands of imitators and satirists seemed a sure bet for a YouTube award. As viral as the video was, we would like to think that the concept of privacy and respect for an individual’s dignity and sanctity — even if he/she is a celebrity! — went viral, too. The Guardian also took note of this and other glaring omissions in the list of YouTube Award winners.
Imagine an Oscars ceremony where the biggest stars go home empty-handed. That’s what happened today at YouTube’s second annual video awards, as Obama Girl, the Don’t Tase Me, Bro student, and other stars of viral video got nominated but lost to unlikely newcomers.
In the politics category Amber Lee Ettinger, aka Obama Girl — who became a household name thanks to her sexy clip declaring “I’ve got a crush” on the presidential candidate — lost to a far grittier video supporting Middle East peace talks, put together by global activist group Avaaz.org.
The eyewitness category, devoted to user videos of live events, pitted the famous plea of a college student before police subdued him with a Taser against gripping footage of protesting monks in Burma and wildfires in California.
But the winner was Battle at Kruger, a vivid clip of lions and buffalo fighting to the death shot by a holidaymaker on safari in South Africa.
You can watch all of the 2007 YouTube Award nominees and winners here.
Along with the Chris Crocker “Leave Britney Alone!” privacy advocacy…..
…we appreciated the worldwide impact of the Gainesville Sun’s video of Andrew Meyer, “Don’t Tase Me Bro,” in bringing attention to the cavalier and irresponsible user of Tasers which we have discussed earlier.
Two more of our favorites, both in the Politics category, did not win. We appreciated the lessons imparted in the Mike Huckabee/Chuck Norris video, “HuckChuckFacts” …..
….and “Congressman Ron Paul Visits My Dorm Room”
Topics: Public Figures and Privacy, Social Networking |