September 21, 2011

My research topic is to research how the internet has affected the ability of people to become famous. In particular I would like to look into, the way internet has affected the ski industry. If technology and the internet has made becoming a professional more easier or more difficult. One of the largest ski related websites is Newschoolers.com. This is a website where you can upload pictures and videos, post in forums, read about ski related news, and enter contests. Freeskier and Level 1 also puts on a contest every year called SuperUnknown. This is a video contest they put on with all unpaid, non-professional skiers and the winner gets a video part in the following years Level 1 movie, and sponsorships with all the companies behind Level 1. Its basically instant fame. I would like to talk to skiers who became famous before the internet was as big as it is now, and after. Also interview skiers who are professional now, and who are trying to get there name out. This subject might be a little to narrow for a research paper, so if I don't get enough information I might try to broaden the paper into singers and songwriters. They are both closely related.