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Does anyone here spend much of their usual 'entertainment' time watching YouTube (specifically content creators not TED talks and such)? I started doing it rece

Does anyone here spend much of their usual 'entertainment' time watching YouTube (specifically content creators not TED talks and such)? I started doing it recently just to see what all the fuss is about as it seems pretty common for younger people (and I'm 26 so it's not like I'm old but I didn't do it). After subscribing to a few channels I started watching stuff regularly. Basically if I want to kill 10 mins I'll open up YouTube and there'll be something to watch. I'm committing so little time I don't need to really think about it before clicking (unlike say Netflix). On the other hand when I step back a minute I notice that the videos provide incredibly little value as opposed to usual entertainment sources. I could watch a crappy 20min sitcom and it may be deemed trash but it still has a story and characters it feels like it provides some value to me. I don't get that on YouTube. I've tried a variety of the most popular channels and some other stuff and it's largely memes and clickbait and something I forget about the moment I'm done watching. It seems like a lot of the popular creators don't actually produce good content but instead have managed to built a personality cult around themselves that hooks very young people. I've noticed comments where people praise 'hustle' and 'content' and 'awesome product placement'. Just interested on other people's thoughts on the platform and content. Edit: Thanks for the replies everyone, very interesting.

raesene6 10y ago
In the Internet scheme of things, I'm probably considered old (43) but youtube is one of my main sources of entertainment. I've got some channels I follow and watch their "show" regularly and others where I'll follow sidebar links if they seem funny. There's a tonne of content out there and a lot of it isn't great, but on the other hand there's also some very funny stuff.
aembleton 10y ago
I'm 34 and I probably spend at lest an hour each evening that I'm at home watching YouTube. I don't watch any fiction on YouTube except for Adrian Bliss [1] who mocked vloggers and actually has story arcs running through the videos. I subscribe to many channels but my favourites are Casey Neistat [2], mainly just from the production quality point of view. Tom Scott [3] because he just covers some very interesting topics. And Techmoan [4] because I also have a fascination with old HiFi gear and his puppet sketches at the end of some videos are brilliant. 1. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChYARX5Yj8CapM-F2Z2vPxA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChYARX5Yj8CapM-F2Z2vPxA 2. https://www.youtube.com/user/caseyneistat https://www.youtube.com/user/caseyneistat 3. https://www.youtube.com/user/enyay https://www.youtube.com/user/enyay 4. https://www.youtube.com/user/Techmoan https://www.youtube.com/user/Techmoan
- johnnydoe9 10y ago
  I watch the people you mentioned plus I love movies so I also watch KaptainKristian, Every Frame A Painting, Lessons From A Screenplay, Channel Criswell. Just in case you haven't heard of them In A Nutshell and Life Noggin are also awesome for well produced super high quality science stuff
- k-mcgrady 10y ago
  >> my favourites are Casey Neistat [2], mainly just from the production quality point of view Cool, thanks for the reply. This is one of the channels I'm following. I have seen the occasional cool video (there was a motivational one a few weeks back I loved[0]) but largely it's just some dude running and not doing/saying very interesting things. You mention production quality which is interesting as one of the types of comment I see often on his and other videos is "awesome transition/angle/effect" (he even did a video last week where the premise was "here's a cool new transition I'm gonna use for the next 10 mins". [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG7dSXcfVqE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG7dSXcfVqE
dkbrk 10y ago
I do. But the content creators I watch aren't "Entertainment", they're interesting and educational and that, to me, is entertainment. I didn't discover the channels I watch based on popularity, but on what interests me. Occasionally I'll find another channel that puts out high quality and interesting content, and add it to my list, but it's not something I set out to do methodically. Most of the channels I watch have less than 500,000 subscribers and several have less than 100,000. I've never watched one of Pewdiepie's videos, or anything remotely resembling one of his videos, and have never had the slightest inclination to do so. He might as well be living in a different world. That said, I find Youtube to be invaluable as a platform and don't feel the time I spend on it to be in any sense wasted. Sturgeon's law is very much in effect. I suspect Youtube is especially predisposed to encouraging clickbait and low-effort content. It's all a matter of finding the quality stuff at the long end of the tail.
Jdam 10y ago
I really don't spend more than 10 hours a year watching Youtube. 27yo.
- miguelrochefort 10y ago
  I spend 3 hours a day watching YouTube videos... 25yo
nkrisc 10y ago
I regularly watch YouTube (I'm 27). I usually watch videos about woodworking, blacksmithing, machining, engineering, astronomy, math, chemistry, farming, and off-the-grid living. I find all of those valuable in that I learn something new nearly every time I watch one of those videos. That said, I also watch video game montages when I want a good laugh and some mindless entertainment. Here are some of my favorite channels that I find watching almost always a good use of my time: Engineering Practical Engineering: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMOqf8ab-42UUQIdVoKwjlQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMOqf8ab-42UUQIdVoKwjlQ Physics Sixty Symbols: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvBqzzvUBLCs8Y7Axb-jZew https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvBqzzvUBLCs8Y7Axb-jZew Woodworking Matthias Wandel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCckETVOT59aYw80B36aP9vw https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCckETVOT59aYw80B36aP9vw Frank Howarth: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3_VCOJMaivgcGqPCTePLBA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3_VCOJMaivgcGqPCTePLBA Astronomy DeepSkyVideos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-3ThNQmPmQSQL_L6Lx1_w https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-3ThNQmPmQSQL_L6Lx1_w Chemistry Periodic Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtESv1e7ntJaLJYKIO1FoYw https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtESv1e7ntJaLJYKIO1FoYw Blacksmithing/Machining Clickspring: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCworsKCR-Sx6R6-BnIjS2MA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCworsKCR-Sx6R6-BnIjS2MA Alec Steele: https://www.youtube.com/user/alectheblacksmith https://www.youtube.com/user/alectheblacksmith Brian Oltrogge: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOywIdppbhn6hkgcEtDMatg https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOywIdppbhn6hkgcEtDMatg General Interest Science Veritasium: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHnyfMqiRRG1u-2MsSQLbXA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHnyfMqiRRG1u-2MsSQLbXA Vsauce: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6nSFpj9HTCZ5t-N3Rm3-HA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6nSFpj9HTCZ5t-N3Rm3-HA Smarter Everyday: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6107grRI4m0o2-emgoDnAA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6107grRI4m0o2-emgoDnAA Tom Scott: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBa659QWEk1AI4Tg--mrJ2A https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBa659QWEk1AI4Tg--mrJ2A Cooking Chef John: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRIZtPl9nb9RiXc9btSTQNw https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRIZtPl9nb9RiXc9btSTQNw Andrew Rea: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJHA_jMfCvEnv-3kRjTCQXw https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJHA_jMfCvEnv-3kRjTCQXw Byron Talbott: https://www.youtube.com/user/ByronTalbott https://www.youtube.com/user/ByronTalbott
- deleted 10y ago
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- 10y ago
joobus 10y ago
I spend most of my 'entertainment' time on youtube these days, but I'm not looking for sitcoms and character development. I'm also older than you. I spend most of my time watching interviews (financial, political), podcasts, and special interest informative stuff. I don't like censorship, and even on popular (main)streaming sitcoms, only certain viewpoints are allowed to be expressed.
deleted 10y ago
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failrate 10y ago
Yes, board game demonstrations, Numberphile, and Primitive Technology. I am definitely not in my 20s.
jzymbaluk 10y ago
I definitely spend a lot of my entertainment time watching youtube. I really agree what you're saying as far as big content creators not offering much substance to their videos, but it's wrong to think that the "big youtubers" are the only ones making things on Youtube. I have my subscriptions filled with some pretty amazing smaller youtubers who are making great, cerebral content all the time. I'm more interested in non-fiction, while it sounds like you're looking for fiction and story-telling, but I'll share some of my favorite channels anyway PBS idea channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3LqW4ijMoENQ2Wv17ZrFJA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3LqW4ijMoENQ2Wv17ZrFJA Historia Civilis - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv_vLHiWVBh_FR9vbeuiY-A https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv_vLHiWVBh_FR9vbeuiY-A Langfocus - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNhX3WQEkraW3VHPyup8jkQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNhX3WQEkraW3VHPyup8jkQ Crash Course - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6b17PVsYBQ0ip5gyeme-Q https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6b17PVsYBQ0ip5gyeme-Q Baz Battles - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx-dJoP9hFCBloY9qodykvw https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx-dJoP9hFCBloY9qodykvw Wendover Productions - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9RM-iSvTu1uPJb8X5yp3EQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9RM-iSvTu1uPJb8X5yp3EQ Practical Engineering - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMOqf8ab-42UUQIdVoKwjlQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMOqf8ab-42UUQIdVoKwjlQ
- k-mcgrady 10y ago
  Definitely some interesting stuff there so thanks for sharing. I do agree there is interesting stuff to be found I just find it really hard to see why the popular content is popular (other than the personality cult I mentioned). And I'm usually someone who is perfectly happy enjoying mainstream/popular content (I'm not that discerning) so found it odd.
- rhcom2 10y ago
  Primitive Technology - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAL3JXZSzSm8AlZyD3nQdBA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAL3JXZSzSm8AlZyD3nQdBA has been my favorite recently. Hits the engineering and problem solving part of my brain but is also weirdly very meditative without any talking.
  - bryanh 10y ago
neutronicus 10y ago
Not so much anymore, but I watched a lot of Starcraft 2 and Dawn of War 2 on YouTube. If you don't need to see things live, it's a much better experience than e.g. Twitch.
michaelt 10y ago
I watch some youtube channels regularly. Broadcast TV and Netflix have economics that don't really allow for niche content. For example, if you want to to watch someone take oscilloscopes apart [1] or tell you the amount of glass fibre reinforcing in different brands of electric drill [2] or pick hundreds of specially made locks [3] or watch hundreds of performances from a serious ballet competition [4] Youtube can provide that. Content like this wouldn't have any chance on Netflix or broadcast TV* Of course, 99.9% of the content on youtube is absolute junk, and they do an awful job of highlighting stuff, the logged out homepage is full of absolute dreck, and so on. And I certainly don't see the creators I follow posting a video every day or any of that stuff. [1] https://www.youtube.com/user/EEVblog/videos https://www.youtube.com/user/EEVblog/videos [2] https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil/videos https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil/videos [3] https://www.youtube.com/user/bosnianbill/videos https://www.youtube.com/user/bosnianbill/videos [4] https://www.youtube.com/user/PrixdeLausanne/videos https://www.youtube.com/user/PrixdeLausanne/videos *I'm not even sure if it's economically sustainable on Youtube
blhack 10y ago
It's all about what you subscribe to. If you like building stuff, and industrial tools: https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil If you want to learn about sailboat cruising: https://www.youtube.com/user/briantrautman https://www.youtube.com/user/briantrautman I have always been interested in ways to make videos better, so: https://www.youtube.com/user/caseyneistat https://www.youtube.com/user/caseyneistat (He's also just an interesting, motivating person) There are some other, really good channels about machining (precision metal working): Oxtoolco, Keith Fenner's channel. -- I think the thing about youtube that made it click for me was watching primarily content that is at least somewhat educational. I know a lot more about sailboat cruising because of watching delos than I did before, and as a guy living in landlocked Phoenix AZ, that is pretty cool :)
driverdan 10y ago
I watch a lot of YT, usually 1-2h per day. It's often on in the background while I do something else. I watch a lot of "let's play" and other game videos, mostly with well known YT personalities. Their format may be different than a "crappy 20min sitcom" but their value is the same, entertainment. You don't watch a sitcom for the story, you watch it to turn your brain off and laugh. Just like a sitcom you get more out of YT videos if you've watched the whole series. There will be running jokes and references. Keep in mind that a lot of top YT content is targeted at 12 year old boys. Unless you fit the demographic you're not going to enjoy it. Keep trying other channels. There are so many people on YT putting out quality content that it's nearly impossible to not find something you'll like.
fragmede 10y ago
That conversation was had back in 2006 when Google acquired YouTube for $1.6 billion. Some things have changed then. Smartphones are better; HBO's now available wholly online; Hulu's trying to compete with Netflix, but they're terrible at it so Netflix's going strong. Justin Beiber managed to cross-over to mainstream fame though got his start on YouTube. Youtube added advertising and then made a subscription service with a terribad name. Facebook bought Instagram, then IPO'd, so did SNAP. None of that really affects YouTube though. There are alternatives; Snapchat stories, Vimeo, AWS has a video distribution system available without Amazon branding. YouTube is still the defacto standard for "me and my buddies made a video and want to put it online for the world to see." The lesson I've learned is that branding is everything. The technical side of putting up a video on website is easier than ever these days, thanks to the march of technology, but Youtube lives on.
hkmurakami 10y ago
I've been watching video game play through (typically with restrictions added on) videos from Japan on nicovideo for 10 years. I've seen the genre devolve (for me) from one based on skill, planning, research, and creativity, to one based off of a personality cult. It's been sad for me to see personally.
nraynaud 10y ago
I mostly watch science, machining, DIY or electronics video. In the garbage section I only watch Casey Neistat and Ben Brown. That's the only kind of moving picture I watch unless I'm on a plane, I have no TV.
weavie 10y ago
Both my kids (17 and 6) do so I see them in passing. From my middle aged "dad" perspective it does concern me at the peurile nonsense that floods their brain...
TheGRS 10y ago
I watch a lot of crash course personally. They've continued to put out good content (well save for their recent cartography debacle). They are mostly funded through a single embedded ad, Patreon and some PBS deals it seems, so YouTube constantly changing rules doesn't seem to affect them too badly.
vinceguidry 10y ago
I have put a lot of hours into Two Awesome Gamers, Epic Meal Time, and ERB, these days in that genre I watch Seth the Programmer, and Team Four Star. I stopped watching TAG when they fell apart, but for a long time they were pretty consistently decent. Epic Meal Time just lost their focus, Harley for a long time seemed to be phoning it in. ERB seems to be done. My metric for content is if the videos seem to be improving or not. I'll keep watching if it looks like they're pushing at something other than just more eyeballs and cash. ERB's content just kept getting better and better, those guys are all seasoned entertainment industry veterans. Likewise for Team Four Star, they're all solid voice actors and they just get better and better at their craft. If all you're trying to satisfy is an audience, your schtick gets tired quick.
scriptkiddy 10y ago
Here's a couple I watch regularly with some great content: - Computerphile: Interesting stuff about computer hardware and software: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9-y-6csu5WGm29I7JiwpnA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9-y-6csu5WGm29I7JiwpnA - Deep Astronomy: Space stuff: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQkLvACGWo8IlY1-WKfPp6g https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQkLvACGWo8IlY1-WKfPp6g - Deep sky videos: more space stuff: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-3ThNQmPmQSQL_L6Lx1_w https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-3ThNQmPmQSQL_L6Lx1_w - Grant Thompson: Expiriments, building things, explosions: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1zZE_kJ8rQHgLTVfobLi_g https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1zZE_kJ8rQHgLTVfobLi_g - Numberphile: math stuff: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoxcjq-8xIDTYp3uz647V5A https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoxcjq-8xIDTYp3uz647V5A - Nurdrage: chemistry experiments: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIgKGGJkt1MrNmhq3vRibYA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIgKGGJkt1MrNmhq3vRibYA - Retro game mechanics: implementation of retro gaming software and hardware: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwRqWnW5ZkVaP_lZF7caZ-g https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwRqWnW5ZkVaP_lZF7caZ-g - Sixty symbols: general physics stuff: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvBqzzvUBLCs8Y7Axb-jZew https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvBqzzvUBLCs8Y7Axb-jZew - Stuff they don't want you to know: conspiracies:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrrOic-og4HzhleZqOq4L-A https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrrOic-og4HzhleZqOq4L-A - Vsauce: Thought experiments, interesting facts, etc: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6nSFpj9HTCZ5t-N3Rm3-HA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6nSFpj9HTCZ5t-N3Rm3-HA I don't know if you're into gaming or inane comedy, but I also watch a lot of Funhaus: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCboMX_UNgaPBsUOIgasn3-Q https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCboMX_UNgaPBsUOIgasn3-Q. dfinitely not for everyone.
floatboth 10y ago
Specifically content creators with good content… yeah I watch a lot of that. - Actually Hardcore Overclocking (buildzoid) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrwObTfqv8u1KO7Fgk-FXHQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrwObTfqv8u1KO7Fgk-FXHQ - Micah Elizabeth Scott (scanlime) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaEgw3321ct_PE4PJvdhXEQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaEgw3321ct_PE4PJvdhXEQ — "Art, engineering, reverse engineering, and cats" - The 8-bit Guy https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8uT9cgJorJPWu7ITLGo9Ww https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8uT9cgJorJPWu7ITLGo9Ww + https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcTt3O4_IW5gnA0c58eXshg https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcTt3O4_IW5gnA0c58eXshg - Druaga1 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-7I1gU1r6PxBSl87o-7YEQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-7I1gU1r6PxBSl87o-7YEQ — "Windows 98 on an SSD", "Installing an SSD in a G4 Cube [Part 2]"… you get the idea - Kim Justice https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ZWVL1Elyt2cdiQYjxS_1w https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ZWVL1Elyt2cdiQYjxS_1w — very interesting in-depth retro gaming videos - hbomberguy https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClt01z1wHHT7c5lKcU8pxRQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClt01z1wHHT7c5lKcU8pxRQ — critical videos about games and social/political stuff too… I recommend "Fallout 3 Is Garbage, And Here's Why" :D - OzTalksHW https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Jxh95N32m1JvKG_-fQ6QQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Jxh95N32m1JvKG_-fQ6QQ — hardware reviews and stuff - Paweł Zadrożniak https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCximsD7EJ38jzCNgfP_YTmA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCximsD7EJ38jzCNgfP_YTmA — next level floppy drive music
sorenjan 10y ago
I can't stand the typical Youtuber channels, which seems to be mostly vlogs with fast cuts. I guess they're a logical continuation of reality TV, people seem to like watching what others are watching, even if it's some stranger spouting inane drivel. I don't care about some stranger's vacation, even if there's fancy editing and expensive cameras. It's a bit sad that young people seem to spend more and more time with their phones and computers and substituting socializing with videos. I've heard the argument for let's play videos and vlogs that it's like sitting next to a friend. You've already gotten lot's of great tips, I'll go ahead and list some more channels that I find interesting and/or entertaining. Youtube is what you make of it, unfortunately it's not very good at relevant suggestions. It depends on if you want to watch people build things, talk about science, drive expensive cars, British panel shows, etc. https://www.youtube.com/user/EngineeringExplained https://www.youtube.com/user/EngineeringExplained https://www.youtube.com/user/physicswoman https://www.youtube.com/user/physicswoman https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil https://www.youtube.com/user/theCodyReeder https://www.youtube.com/user/theCodyReeder https://www.youtube.com/user/Techmoan https://www.youtube.com/user/Techmoan https://www.youtube.com/user/standupmaths https://www.youtube.com/user/standupmaths https://www.youtube.com/user/shedscience https://www.youtube.com/user/shedscience https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCworsKCR-Sx6R6-BnIjS2MA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCworsKCR-Sx6R6-BnIjS2MA - Clickspring https://www.youtube.com/user/mikeselectricstuff https://www.youtube.com/user/mikeselectricstuff https://www.youtube.com/user/1veritasium https://www.youtube.com/user/1veritasium https://www.youtube.com/user/destinws2 https://www.youtube.com/user/destinws2 https://www.youtube.com/user/gradyhillhouse https://www.youtube.com/user/gradyhillhouse https://www.youtube.com/user/engineerguyvideo https://www.youtube.com/user/engineerguyvideo
frgtpsswrdlame 10y ago
Lectures, lectures, lectures!! I search for niche topics, restrict to videos 20 mins or longer, sometimes throw a "lecture", "talk", "speech", "debate", "discussion" etc tag into my search and watch those. There's a lot of amazingly dense insightful videos on youtube with <500 views. The only problem is that youtube is fantastically bad at making recommendations, their algorithm really only recommends the same speaker over and over again. I would actually say restricting to 20 min or longer videos is a real key. I was looking for some information on backpacking yesterday. I did a couple searches, restricted to long videos, watched a few pieces of several of them until I found one I really liked then dug into the channel that made it.
- arca_vorago 10y ago
  Very much this. Between Stanford, MIT, harvard , Yale and Berkeley, I find great lecture content I hope never goes away. Otherwise I find that finding a particularly articulate author or person and searching for all their material is another way to do this. EG, Robert Fisk, 20 mins, sort by view count.
petercooper 10y ago
Does anyone here spend much of their usual 'entertainment' time watching YouTube Yep, although it's usually in the background while working or reading as with most entertainment nowadays. My YouTube to TV ratio is easily 3:1. It's really all down to what you subscribe to. You can make it as high brow, low brow, mixed, technical, non-technical, or whatever as you want - there is really a channel for everything and that's where it's even better than TV. Now finding those great channels.. it's a HUGE discovery problem. I mean, I know what I'm looking for and am still surprised to find excellent channels I'd never seen before.
bridanp 10y ago
As someone who is just a bit over the age of 40, I do spend most of my TV watching time with Youtube. However, my viewing habits are not for watching these channels in question. I'm more into the killing 10 minutes paradigm. I choose Youtube because I can search for something I'm interested in, get a bunch of hits, and just pick one. If I like it, I let it keep going, if not, I skip it or just turn it off. I don't like investing a lot of time in searching through the Netflix/Hulu catalog, and eventually deciding via "meh". As far as these types of popular or personality cult channels go, I pass. I don't understand the draw. I understand the ones where you watch people play video games; that makes sense. What I don't understand is watching people open boxes, reaction videos (where you watch someone react to a video they are watching), or those videos where people are complaining about something/someone on Youtube/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat and how that affects them.
exsf0859 10y ago
Two Minute Papers https://www.youtube.com/user/keeroyz https://www.youtube.com/user/keeroyz - enthusiastic summaries of machine learning papers. Pachter Factor on SIFTD Games channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFaBUWXO8o4jSfF6PhJOyZA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFaBUWXO8o4jSfF6PhJOyZA Discusses the game business.
Obi_Juan_Kenobi 10y ago
It's 100% like Reddit; the site is wonderful if you dig through and find the little corners that appeal to you. Yet skimming off the top tends to yield a lot of garbage. The Alientube browser extension will display Reddit threads about a video (if available) in place of YouTube comments, which I've found is often a good way to find new channels as people discuss similar videos. The more you watch, the more good stuff you'll find. It doesn't all happen at once.
- k-mcgrady 10y ago
  >> It's 100% like Reddit That seems like a perfect analogy. I hate 90% of the popular Reddit stuff (I don't even understand how people enjoy or find it funny) yet I got really into it after digging down into some subreddits.
remarkEon 10y ago
Well, I certainly watch a lot of Scott Manley videos. I'm...probably not alone in that regard here. https://www.youtube.com/user/szyzyg https://www.youtube.com/user/szyzyg
majani 10y ago
I personally made huge leaps in empathy from watching boogie2988's videos about his struggles with weight. It's important to note, however, that YouTube is first and foremost a kids network(kids video ads convert the best), and then secondarily a music network(music videos provide most of the audience growth). All the rest of the stuff comes way after those two in their priority list, so you have to wade through all the screamy reaction channels and music channels to scrape something wholesome for adults at the bottom of the barrel.

raesene6 10y ago

In the Internet scheme of things, I'm probably considered old (43) but youtube is one of my main sources of entertainment. I've got some channels I follow and watch their "show" regularly and others where I'll follow sidebar links if they seem funny. There's a tonne of content out there and a lot of it isn't great, but on the other hand there's also some very funny stuff.

aembleton 10y ago

I'm 34 and I probably spend at lest an hour each evening that I'm at home watching YouTube. I don't watch any fiction on YouTube except for Adrian Bliss [1] who mocked vloggers and actually has story arcs running through the videos. I subscribe to many channels but my favourites are Casey Neistat [2], mainly just from the production quality point of view. Tom Scott [3] because he just covers some very interesting topics. And Techmoan [4] because I also have a fascination with old HiFi gear and his puppet sketches at the end of some videos are brilliant. 1. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChYARX5Yj8CapM-F2Z2vPxA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChYARX5Yj8CapM-F2Z2vPxA 2. https://www.youtube.com/user/caseyneistat https://www.youtube.com/user/caseyneistat 3. https://www.youtube.com/user/enyay https://www.youtube.com/user/enyay 4. https://www.youtube.com/user/Techmoan https://www.youtube.com/user/Techmoan

johnnydoe9 10y ago
I watch the people you mentioned plus I love movies so I also watch KaptainKristian, Every Frame A Painting, Lessons From A Screenplay, Channel Criswell. Just in case you haven't heard of them In A Nutshell and Life Noggin are also awesome for well produced super high quality science stuff
k-mcgrady 10y ago
>> my favourites are Casey Neistat [2], mainly just from the production quality point of view Cool, thanks for the reply. This is one of the channels I'm following. I have seen the occasional cool video (there was a motivational one a few weeks back I loved[0]) but largely it's just some dude running and not doing/saying very interesting things. You mention production quality which is interesting as one of the types of comment I see often on his and other videos is "awesome transition/angle/effect" (he even did a video last week where the premise was "here's a cool new transition I'm gonna use for the next 10 mins". [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG7dSXcfVqE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG7dSXcfVqE

dkbrk 10y ago

I do. But the content creators I watch aren't "Entertainment", they're interesting and educational and that, to me, is entertainment. I didn't discover the channels I watch based on popularity, but on what interests me. Occasionally I'll find another channel that puts out high quality and interesting content, and add it to my list, but it's not something I set out to do methodically. Most of the channels I watch have less than 500,000 subscribers and several have less than 100,000. I've never watched one of Pewdiepie's videos, or anything remotely resembling one of his videos, and have never had the slightest inclination to do so. He might as well be living in a different world. That said, I find Youtube to be invaluable as a platform and don't feel the time I spend on it to be in any sense wasted. Sturgeon's law is very much in effect. I suspect Youtube is especially predisposed to encouraging clickbait and low-effort content. It's all a matter of finding the quality stuff at the long end of the tail.

Jdam 10y ago

I really don't spend more than 10 hours a year watching Youtube. 27yo.

miguelrochefort 10y ago
I spend 3 hours a day watching YouTube videos... 25yo

nkrisc 10y ago

I regularly watch YouTube (I'm 27). I usually watch videos about woodworking, blacksmithing, machining, engineering, astronomy, math, chemistry, farming, and off-the-grid living. I find all of those valuable in that I learn something new nearly every time I watch one of those videos. That said, I also watch video game montages when I want a good laugh and some mindless entertainment. Here are some of my favorite channels that I find watching almost always a good use of my time: Engineering Practical Engineering: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMOqf8ab-42UUQIdVoKwjlQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMOqf8ab-42UUQIdVoKwjlQ Physics Sixty Symbols: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvBqzzvUBLCs8Y7Axb-jZew https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvBqzzvUBLCs8Y7Axb-jZew Woodworking Matthias Wandel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCckETVOT59aYw80B36aP9vw https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCckETVOT59aYw80B36aP9vw Frank Howarth: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3_VCOJMaivgcGqPCTePLBA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3_VCOJMaivgcGqPCTePLBA Astronomy DeepSkyVideos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-3ThNQmPmQSQL_L6Lx1_w https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-3ThNQmPmQSQL_L6Lx1_w Chemistry Periodic Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtESv1e7ntJaLJYKIO1FoYw https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtESv1e7ntJaLJYKIO1FoYw Blacksmithing/Machining Clickspring: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCworsKCR-Sx6R6-BnIjS2MA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCworsKCR-Sx6R6-BnIjS2MA Alec Steele: https://www.youtube.com/user/alectheblacksmith https://www.youtube.com/user/alectheblacksmith Brian Oltrogge: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOywIdppbhn6hkgcEtDMatg https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOywIdppbhn6hkgcEtDMatg General Interest Science Veritasium: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHnyfMqiRRG1u-2MsSQLbXA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHnyfMqiRRG1u-2MsSQLbXA Vsauce: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6nSFpj9HTCZ5t-N3Rm3-HA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6nSFpj9HTCZ5t-N3Rm3-HA Smarter Everyday: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6107grRI4m0o2-emgoDnAA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6107grRI4m0o2-emgoDnAA Tom Scott: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBa659QWEk1AI4Tg--mrJ2A https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBa659QWEk1AI4Tg--mrJ2A Cooking Chef John: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRIZtPl9nb9RiXc9btSTQNw https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRIZtPl9nb9RiXc9btSTQNw Andrew Rea: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJHA_jMfCvEnv-3kRjTCQXw https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJHA_jMfCvEnv-3kRjTCQXw Byron Talbott: https://www.youtube.com/user/ByronTalbott https://www.youtube.com/user/ByronTalbott

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joobus 10y ago

I spend most of my 'entertainment' time on youtube these days, but I'm not looking for sitcoms and character development. I'm also older than you. I spend most of my time watching interviews (financial, political), podcasts, and special interest informative stuff. I don't like censorship, and even on popular (main)streaming sitcoms, only certain viewpoints are allowed to be expressed.

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failrate 10y ago

Yes, board game demonstrations, Numberphile, and Primitive Technology. I am definitely not in my 20s.

jzymbaluk 10y ago

I definitely spend a lot of my entertainment time watching youtube. I really agree what you're saying as far as big content creators not offering much substance to their videos, but it's wrong to think that the "big youtubers" are the only ones making things on Youtube. I have my subscriptions filled with some pretty amazing smaller youtubers who are making great, cerebral content all the time. I'm more interested in non-fiction, while it sounds like you're looking for fiction and story-telling, but I'll share some of my favorite channels anyway PBS idea channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3LqW4ijMoENQ2Wv17ZrFJA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3LqW4ijMoENQ2Wv17ZrFJA Historia Civilis - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv_vLHiWVBh_FR9vbeuiY-A https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv_vLHiWVBh_FR9vbeuiY-A Langfocus - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNhX3WQEkraW3VHPyup8jkQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNhX3WQEkraW3VHPyup8jkQ Crash Course - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6b17PVsYBQ0ip5gyeme-Q https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6b17PVsYBQ0ip5gyeme-Q Baz Battles - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx-dJoP9hFCBloY9qodykvw https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx-dJoP9hFCBloY9qodykvw Wendover Productions - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9RM-iSvTu1uPJb8X5yp3EQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9RM-iSvTu1uPJb8X5yp3EQ Practical Engineering - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMOqf8ab-42UUQIdVoKwjlQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMOqf8ab-42UUQIdVoKwjlQ

k-mcgrady 10y ago
Definitely some interesting stuff there so thanks for sharing. I do agree there is interesting stuff to be found I just find it really hard to see why the popular content is popular (other than the personality cult I mentioned). And I'm usually someone who is perfectly happy enjoying mainstream/popular content (I'm not that discerning) so found it odd.
rhcom2 10y ago
Primitive Technology - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAL3JXZSzSm8AlZyD3nQdBA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAL3JXZSzSm8AlZyD3nQdBA has been my favorite recently. Hits the engineering and problem solving part of my brain but is also weirdly very meditative without any talking.
- bryanh 10y ago

neutronicus 10y ago

Not so much anymore, but I watched a lot of Starcraft 2 and Dawn of War 2 on YouTube. If you don't need to see things live, it's a much better experience than e.g. Twitch.

michaelt 10y ago

I watch some youtube channels regularly. Broadcast TV and Netflix have economics that don't really allow for niche content. For example, if you want to to watch someone take oscilloscopes apart [1] or tell you the amount of glass fibre reinforcing in different brands of electric drill [2] or pick hundreds of specially made locks [3] or watch hundreds of performances from a serious ballet competition [4] Youtube can provide that. Content like this wouldn't have any chance on Netflix or broadcast TV* Of course, 99.9% of the content on youtube is absolute junk, and they do an awful job of highlighting stuff, the logged out homepage is full of absolute dreck, and so on. And I certainly don't see the creators I follow posting a video every day or any of that stuff. [1] https://www.youtube.com/user/EEVblog/videos https://www.youtube.com/user/EEVblog/videos [2] https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil/videos https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil/videos [3] https://www.youtube.com/user/bosnianbill/videos https://www.youtube.com/user/bosnianbill/videos [4] https://www.youtube.com/user/PrixdeLausanne/videos https://www.youtube.com/user/PrixdeLausanne/videos *I'm not even sure if it's economically sustainable on Youtube

blhack 10y ago

It's all about what you subscribe to. If you like building stuff, and industrial tools: https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil If you want to learn about sailboat cruising: https://www.youtube.com/user/briantrautman https://www.youtube.com/user/briantrautman I have always been interested in ways to make videos better, so: https://www.youtube.com/user/caseyneistat https://www.youtube.com/user/caseyneistat (He's also just an interesting, motivating person) There are some other, really good channels about machining (precision metal working): Oxtoolco, Keith Fenner's channel. -- I think the thing about youtube that made it click for me was watching primarily content that is at least somewhat educational. I know a lot more about sailboat cruising because of watching delos than I did before, and as a guy living in landlocked Phoenix AZ, that is pretty cool :)

driverdan 10y ago

I watch a lot of YT, usually 1-2h per day. It's often on in the background while I do something else. I watch a lot of "let's play" and other game videos, mostly with well known YT personalities. Their format may be different than a "crappy 20min sitcom" but their value is the same, entertainment. You don't watch a sitcom for the story, you watch it to turn your brain off and laugh. Just like a sitcom you get more out of YT videos if you've watched the whole series. There will be running jokes and references. Keep in mind that a lot of top YT content is targeted at 12 year old boys. Unless you fit the demographic you're not going to enjoy it. Keep trying other channels. There are so many people on YT putting out quality content that it's nearly impossible to not find something you'll like.

fragmede 10y ago

That conversation was had back in 2006 when Google acquired YouTube for $1.6 billion. Some things have changed then. Smartphones are better; HBO's now available wholly online; Hulu's trying to compete with Netflix, but they're terrible at it so Netflix's going strong. Justin Beiber managed to cross-over to mainstream fame though got his start on YouTube. Youtube added advertising and then made a subscription service with a terribad name. Facebook bought Instagram, then IPO'd, so did SNAP. None of that really affects YouTube though. There are alternatives; Snapchat stories, Vimeo, AWS has a video distribution system available without Amazon branding. YouTube is still the defacto standard for "me and my buddies made a video and want to put it online for the world to see." The lesson I've learned is that branding is everything. The technical side of putting up a video on website is easier than ever these days, thanks to the march of technology, but Youtube lives on.

hkmurakami 10y ago

I've been watching video game play through (typically with restrictions added on) videos from Japan on nicovideo for 10 years. I've seen the genre devolve (for me) from one based on skill, planning, research, and creativity, to one based off of a personality cult. It's been sad for me to see personally.

nraynaud 10y ago

I mostly watch science, machining, DIY or electronics video. In the garbage section I only watch Casey Neistat and Ben Brown. That's the only kind of moving picture I watch unless I'm on a plane, I have no TV.

weavie 10y ago

Both my kids (17 and 6) do so I see them in passing. From my middle aged "dad" perspective it does concern me at the peurile nonsense that floods their brain...

TheGRS 10y ago

I watch a lot of crash course personally. They've continued to put out good content (well save for their recent cartography debacle). They are mostly funded through a single embedded ad, Patreon and some PBS deals it seems, so YouTube constantly changing rules doesn't seem to affect them too badly.

vinceguidry 10y ago

I have put a lot of hours into Two Awesome Gamers, Epic Meal Time, and ERB, these days in that genre I watch Seth the Programmer, and Team Four Star. I stopped watching TAG when they fell apart, but for a long time they were pretty consistently decent. Epic Meal Time just lost their focus, Harley for a long time seemed to be phoning it in. ERB seems to be done. My metric for content is if the videos seem to be improving or not. I'll keep watching if it looks like they're pushing at something other than just more eyeballs and cash. ERB's content just kept getting better and better, those guys are all seasoned entertainment industry veterans. Likewise for Team Four Star, they're all solid voice actors and they just get better and better at their craft. If all you're trying to satisfy is an audience, your schtick gets tired quick.

scriptkiddy 10y ago

Here's a couple I watch regularly with some great content: - Computerphile: Interesting stuff about computer hardware and software: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9-y-6csu5WGm29I7JiwpnA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9-y-6csu5WGm29I7JiwpnA - Deep Astronomy: Space stuff: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQkLvACGWo8IlY1-WKfPp6g https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQkLvACGWo8IlY1-WKfPp6g - Deep sky videos: more space stuff: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-3ThNQmPmQSQL_L6Lx1_w https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-3ThNQmPmQSQL_L6Lx1_w - Grant Thompson: Expiriments, building things, explosions: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1zZE_kJ8rQHgLTVfobLi_g https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1zZE_kJ8rQHgLTVfobLi_g - Numberphile: math stuff: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoxcjq-8xIDTYp3uz647V5A https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoxcjq-8xIDTYp3uz647V5A - Nurdrage: chemistry experiments: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIgKGGJkt1MrNmhq3vRibYA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIgKGGJkt1MrNmhq3vRibYA - Retro game mechanics: implementation of retro gaming software and hardware: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwRqWnW5ZkVaP_lZF7caZ-g https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwRqWnW5ZkVaP_lZF7caZ-g - Sixty symbols: general physics stuff: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvBqzzvUBLCs8Y7Axb-jZew https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvBqzzvUBLCs8Y7Axb-jZew - Stuff they don't want you to know: conspiracies:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrrOic-og4HzhleZqOq4L-A https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrrOic-og4HzhleZqOq4L-A - Vsauce: Thought experiments, interesting facts, etc: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6nSFpj9HTCZ5t-N3Rm3-HA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6nSFpj9HTCZ5t-N3Rm3-HA I don't know if you're into gaming or inane comedy, but I also watch a lot of Funhaus: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCboMX_UNgaPBsUOIgasn3-Q https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCboMX_UNgaPBsUOIgasn3-Q. dfinitely not for everyone.

floatboth 10y ago

Specifically content creators with good content… yeah I watch a lot of that. - Actually Hardcore Overclocking (buildzoid) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrwObTfqv8u1KO7Fgk-FXHQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrwObTfqv8u1KO7Fgk-FXHQ - Micah Elizabeth Scott (scanlime) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaEgw3321ct_PE4PJvdhXEQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaEgw3321ct_PE4PJvdhXEQ — "Art, engineering, reverse engineering, and cats" - The 8-bit Guy https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8uT9cgJorJPWu7ITLGo9Ww https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8uT9cgJorJPWu7ITLGo9Ww + https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcTt3O4_IW5gnA0c58eXshg https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcTt3O4_IW5gnA0c58eXshg - Druaga1 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-7I1gU1r6PxBSl87o-7YEQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-7I1gU1r6PxBSl87o-7YEQ — "Windows 98 on an SSD", "Installing an SSD in a G4 Cube [Part 2]"… you get the idea - Kim Justice https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ZWVL1Elyt2cdiQYjxS_1w https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ZWVL1Elyt2cdiQYjxS_1w — very interesting in-depth retro gaming videos - hbomberguy https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClt01z1wHHT7c5lKcU8pxRQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClt01z1wHHT7c5lKcU8pxRQ — critical videos about games and social/political stuff too… I recommend "Fallout 3 Is Garbage, And Here's Why" :D - OzTalksHW https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Jxh95N32m1JvKG_-fQ6QQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Jxh95N32m1JvKG_-fQ6QQ — hardware reviews and stuff - Paweł Zadrożniak https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCximsD7EJ38jzCNgfP_YTmA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCximsD7EJ38jzCNgfP_YTmA — next level floppy drive music

sorenjan 10y ago

I can't stand the typical Youtuber channels, which seems to be mostly vlogs with fast cuts. I guess they're a logical continuation of reality TV, people seem to like watching what others are watching, even if it's some stranger spouting inane drivel. I don't care about some stranger's vacation, even if there's fancy editing and expensive cameras. It's a bit sad that young people seem to spend more and more time with their phones and computers and substituting socializing with videos. I've heard the argument for let's play videos and vlogs that it's like sitting next to a friend. You've already gotten lot's of great tips, I'll go ahead and list some more channels that I find interesting and/or entertaining. Youtube is what you make of it, unfortunately it's not very good at relevant suggestions. It depends on if you want to watch people build things, talk about science, drive expensive cars, British panel shows, etc. https://www.youtube.com/user/EngineeringExplained https://www.youtube.com/user/EngineeringExplained https://www.youtube.com/user/physicswoman https://www.youtube.com/user/physicswoman https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil https://www.youtube.com/user/theCodyReeder https://www.youtube.com/user/theCodyReeder https://www.youtube.com/user/Techmoan https://www.youtube.com/user/Techmoan https://www.youtube.com/user/standupmaths https://www.youtube.com/user/standupmaths https://www.youtube.com/user/shedscience https://www.youtube.com/user/shedscience https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCworsKCR-Sx6R6-BnIjS2MA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCworsKCR-Sx6R6-BnIjS2MA - Clickspring https://www.youtube.com/user/mikeselectricstuff https://www.youtube.com/user/mikeselectricstuff https://www.youtube.com/user/1veritasium https://www.youtube.com/user/1veritasium https://www.youtube.com/user/destinws2 https://www.youtube.com/user/destinws2 https://www.youtube.com/user/gradyhillhouse https://www.youtube.com/user/gradyhillhouse https://www.youtube.com/user/engineerguyvideo https://www.youtube.com/user/engineerguyvideo

frgtpsswrdlame 10y ago

Lectures, lectures, lectures!! I search for niche topics, restrict to videos 20 mins or longer, sometimes throw a "lecture", "talk", "speech", "debate", "discussion" etc tag into my search and watch those. There's a lot of amazingly dense insightful videos on youtube with <500 views. The only problem is that youtube is fantastically bad at making recommendations, their algorithm really only recommends the same speaker over and over again. I would actually say restricting to 20 min or longer videos is a real key. I was looking for some information on backpacking yesterday. I did a couple searches, restricted to long videos, watched a few pieces of several of them until I found one I really liked then dug into the channel that made it.

arca_vorago 10y ago
Very much this. Between Stanford, MIT, harvard , Yale and Berkeley, I find great lecture content I hope never goes away. Otherwise I find that finding a particularly articulate author or person and searching for all their material is another way to do this. EG, Robert Fisk, 20 mins, sort by view count.

petercooper 10y ago

Does anyone here spend much of their usual 'entertainment' time watching YouTube Yep, although it's usually in the background while working or reading as with most entertainment nowadays. My YouTube to TV ratio is easily 3:1. It's really all down to what you subscribe to. You can make it as high brow, low brow, mixed, technical, non-technical, or whatever as you want - there is really a channel for everything and that's where it's even better than TV. Now finding those great channels.. it's a HUGE discovery problem. I mean, I know what I'm looking for and am still surprised to find excellent channels I'd never seen before.

bridanp 10y ago

As someone who is just a bit over the age of 40, I do spend most of my TV watching time with Youtube. However, my viewing habits are not for watching these channels in question. I'm more into the killing 10 minutes paradigm. I choose Youtube because I can search for something I'm interested in, get a bunch of hits, and just pick one. If I like it, I let it keep going, if not, I skip it or just turn it off. I don't like investing a lot of time in searching through the Netflix/Hulu catalog, and eventually deciding via "meh". As far as these types of popular or personality cult channels go, I pass. I don't understand the draw. I understand the ones where you watch people play video games; that makes sense. What I don't understand is watching people open boxes, reaction videos (where you watch someone react to a video they are watching), or those videos where people are complaining about something/someone on Youtube/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat and how that affects them.

exsf0859 10y ago

Two Minute Papers https://www.youtube.com/user/keeroyz https://www.youtube.com/user/keeroyz - enthusiastic summaries of machine learning papers. Pachter Factor on SIFTD Games channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFaBUWXO8o4jSfF6PhJOyZA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFaBUWXO8o4jSfF6PhJOyZA Discusses the game business.

Obi_Juan_Kenobi 10y ago

It's 100% like Reddit; the site is wonderful if you dig through and find the little corners that appeal to you. Yet skimming off the top tends to yield a lot of garbage. The Alientube browser extension will display Reddit threads about a video (if available) in place of YouTube comments, which I've found is often a good way to find new channels as people discuss similar videos. The more you watch, the more good stuff you'll find. It doesn't all happen at once.

k-mcgrady 10y ago
>> It's 100% like Reddit That seems like a perfect analogy. I hate 90% of the popular Reddit stuff (I don't even understand how people enjoy or find it funny) yet I got really into it after digging down into some subreddits.

remarkEon 10y ago

Well, I certainly watch a lot of Scott Manley videos. I'm...probably not alone in that regard here. https://www.youtube.com/user/szyzyg https://www.youtube.com/user/szyzyg

majani 10y ago

I personally made huge leaps in empathy from watching boogie2988's videos about his struggles with weight. It's important to note, however, that YouTube is first and foremost a kids network(kids video ads convert the best), and then secondarily a music network(music videos provide most of the audience growth). All the rest of the stuff comes way after those two in their priority list, so you have to wade through all the screamy reaction channels and music channels to scrape something wholesome for adults at the bottom of the barrel.