The Youtube Situation

I think it's safe to assume that the vast majority of people use Youtube frequently, whether it be to upload videos, comment on videos, or just simply to watch videos.  Youtube has been one of the biggest things to hit the Internet since it's inception, with billions of people logging on for entertainment.  Recently there's been a lot of criticism aimed at Google for attempting to integrate Google+ into Youtube.  For those who don't know, Google+ is Google's social media site, similar to Facebook and Twitter.  Basically, now only people with Google+ accounts are able to leave comments on Youtube videos, effectively ending users' abilities to post anonymously.  Because the Internet is supposed to be a place where people don't have to worry about revealing their true identities, many are outraged at this change in policy.  Users who are  new to Youtube may not understand the significance of this, but the users who have been on Youtube for years who are now not able to post without identifying themselves are petitioning for Google to undo what they've done.  

I use Youtube pretty frequently, but I don't think I've ever posted a comment so I feel as though this change doesn't drastically affect my Youtube experience, which is basically just limited to watching videos.  However, for the people who do actively comment I can see how this change would make them angry and I'm inclined to take their side in this dispute.  People enjoy logging on and being able to say what they want to say without having to give away who they are - that's what the Internet is all about.  What it comes down to is that it seems like this is an attempt by Google to force people to start using Google+, and I don't really like that.  If there's one thing that these big companies need to learn its that Internet users do not like being told what to do, and this situation will be no different.  If enough users complain - which they are - then the chances are that Google will do an about face and remove the new policy.  The same thing happened with the Xbox One; Microsoft proposed a lot of policies that the public didn't like, so the public very loudly expressed their dislike and eventually Microsoft removed said policies. 

Google's informal company motto is "don't be evil", so quite frankly I'm surprised that they would decide to implement a change like this that I'm sure many of the Youtube users would consider evil.  Ultimately I feel like Google will give in to the ever-growing number of angry users and reverse their policy, which would go to show just how powerful the average people can be when they unite in force.  Or, I could be wrong and the people will eventually just give in and start getting Google+ accounts because they've grown tired of complaining.  You can never really tell what people will do, but the ball is in Google's court.