cross-posted from: https://lemmygrad.ml/post/8454832

So…

I’ve watched, over the past few months, dozens of YouTube videos a day it seems so that may have something to do with my “YouTube burnout” (if it is one) but it seems as though YouTube videos especially teach you nothing, certainly not compared to written content or articles or even books. I have the videos on in the background when I’m doing something. I have tried to put more focus to actually, well, consuming the content or media in a way that’s more mindful and where I am edified. Maybe I’m trying too hard, but a lot of what I’m watching seems a bit superfluous or whatever.

All art or content or products have this problem, to a point, I think, but at times, it seems that videos are either there to sell me something (bad, at least in my case, because I like retail therapy) or maybe “hook me” into something (not necessarily bad, perhaps, as it can be pretty innocuous and even fun, depending on what they’re motivating you to get into, such as a hobby).

And I have to say:

I’m starting to see this in documentaries to, to a point.

I feel like visual media has this problem a lot.

And yeah, I know it’s a “D’oh!” moment for me because, honestly, of course they’re a bit sparse on details or info compared to, say, books and written text.

But…

I feel like I’m not getting stuff out of it? Like, I ask: “What are they hiding? What are they not showing?”

Am I just paranoid? It’s one thing to contemplate this sometimes, but every time I watch a video now?

Maybe I am just burnt out on YouTube LMAO!!

(I will say that one thing I miss are videos that are 2 to 5 to 10 to maybe 20 or 30 minutes long instead of these LONG videos that seem, erm, “useless,” from my point of view.)

  • Druid@lemmy.zipMEnglish
    2·
    13 days ago

    I’ve certainly learned and am learning lots about all kinds of things through YouTube. It’s the platform I consume most my video content on. Netflix doesn’t even come close. I’ve moved away from shorts since I found myself binging too many of them at a time and didn’t get any benefit from them. But YouTube overall is still my favourite platform for watching anything really

    • Makan@lemmygrad.mlOPEnglish
      2·
      13 days ago

      Fair, fair.

      I just feel that sometimes, I learn nothing, and I don’t know why.

      I get the “What’s the point” feeling; maybe I am truly depressed.

      • Druid@lemmy.zipMEnglish
        2·
        13 days ago

        I mean, maybe it’s the type of content you’re watching? The way it’s presented? Or maybe it’s the subject matter in general?

        I get what you mean when it comes to length though. I’ve watched/listened to some very lengthy videos - think like in the 2-4h range - which I’ve had to pick at over the course of several days. It was nice entertainment during the time listening to the audio, but I’ve barely retained anything, I’ve recently realised. I still look back fondly to some of the videos, but ultimately, I didn’t “grow intellectually” from listening to them, if that makes sense. Then again, if it entertained me at the time, it served its purpose, right?

        I’m just wondering: what’s your post got to do with soulslikes? Unless I’m missing something here :D

        • Makan@lemmygrad.mlOPEnglish
          2·
          12 days ago

          “but I’ve barely retained anything”

          Yeah, and I feel that the impact isn’t the same, but maybe I’m just getting old…