YouTube annually releases an annual round-up video, YouTube Rewind. This has happened every year since 2010. Essentially a highlights reel, Rewind showcases the platform’s top trends, trends, and memories.
Because of the challenges and turmoil of the year, YouTube Rewind 2020 has been canceled. Youtube offered a statement that it did not want to depict 2020 as a normal year, causing many people to voice their opinions.
Some creators support Youtube’s position. They would rather skip rehashing the details and ring in 2021 as a fresh start. Others believe a better move would be to highlight and focus on the positives that came out of 2020. Whatever the opinion, people can’t help but wonder what the recap would look like if YouTube decided to make a recap.
Let’s Get Through the Hard Stuff First
Creating highlights out of a year with a global pandemic would truly be challenging. YouTube probably decided to scrap the 2020 rewind because it is hard to make light out of such a tragedy. Perhaps it is a question of perspective.
It would be a shame for the platform not to acknowledge the global impact that disasters, natural disasters, and social injustices have had this year. At the same time, this could have been a great opportunity to highlight how each hardship has brought communities, families, and individuals together. People have had to dig deep, and get creative to make ends meet. Everyone has been challenged in ways they never have been.
Celebrity deaths obviously did not ease this year. However, YouTube could have highlighted how incredible an athlete Kobe Bryant was, how talented Chadwick was, and how smart Alex was instead of focusing on how devastating their deaths were.
Although it is difficult to be reminded of all of this, they raise awareness as to what is happening in our communities and more importantly how unpredictable life can be.
2020 Brought Some Positives
Although 2020 has been an eventful year, not every one of those events has been tragic. Some have been a breath of fresh air, which has resulted in a lot of viral videos.
Working From Home
Millions of people suddenly transitioned from their typical environment at the beginning of March to being forced to work and learn at home.
Many funny, cute, and sweet moments were captured while people dressed like success from the waist up, relied on their webcams, and spent extra time with their furry friends.
[YouTube Video] Zoom Class Interrupted By Baby Squirrel
[YouTube Video] ‘Brody’ the dog interrupts Paul Dellegatto’s weathercast
[YouTube Video] Students surprise professor with a sweet farewell during virtual class
Picking Up a New Hobby
People who have been homebound for more than half the year might have picked up new hobbies along the way. Some have thrived while others should stick to their day jobs. The side hustle and gig economy has been thriving. Learning how to fix your iphone, buy and sell couches(yes, couches), and invest in cryptocurrency has helped push many people’s hobby’s into thriving jobs.
As people started to grow out their hair during quarantine, some decided to become at-home hairdressers. Hopefully, their mistakes have grown out by now. Some people purged their family’s hoard of electronic devices by selling them to get some extra cash in their pockets.
Some have become bakers, gardeners, interior designers, and even broadway producers?
[YouTube Video] We Started The TikTok Ratatouille Musical
[YouTube Video] Top 10 Things That Have Gone Viral During the Pandemic
More Great News
More great news could have been highlighted by YouTube Rewind.
Technology- When it comes to tech, 2020 was not too bad of a year.
- The iPhone 12 Series was released in October
- SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launches on November 15
- The Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 released in November
- COVID-19 Vaccines will soon roll out
Environment- The environment has also thrived this year
- Improvement in air quality
- Greenhouse gas emission has slowed
- An increase in roaming wildlife
- A spike in animal adoptions
As the year comes to an end, people will start to reflect on the year they have just had. If YouTube Rewind was a thing in 2020, it may have helped them see the positive things that have come out of this year.
What are your thoughts?
Cybil 
Emma 
Clarice