Favorite YouTubers

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on April 10, 2018

Soooo... who are some of your fave YouTubers, for politics stuff?

There are quite a few that I like, but my favorite is Contra Points. It's not that I agree with her on everything, and I have some significant disagreements for sure. But even when I disagree, I feel like she's coming from an intellectually honest place, rather than ideologically knee-jerk or close minded; that she never comes across as arrogant, and will admit when she's uncertain or uninformed or confused; and I feel like if you met her IRL, she'd be someone with who you could discuss your disagreements in an open minded way.

But the thing I like best about her videos is that they're actually fun to watch!

She's apparently had quite a bit of success at getting anti-SJW types to become supportive of (or at least less hostile to) issues of gender, race, etc.

Also, her series of videos on trans stuff are amazing, both in terms of being educational/enlightening and also entertaining (one of them is also quite emotionally moving). I've watched all her videos, and earlier on, she identified as a man, then as gender queer, and now as a woman. And as she went on this journey, she made some videos about it along the way.

Another YouTuber I like is Libertarian Socialist Rants. He even did a video on the libcom introduction to capitalism.

Anyways, let's get a list going of YouTubers that libcomers like!

adri

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by adri on April 10, 2018

None comes to mind. YouTube is not really my go-to source for learning about something.

comrade_emma

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by comrade_emma on April 21, 2018

deleted

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on April 10, 2018

comrade_emma

very factual and accurate as opposed to more flashy and entertaining but wrong

Wait... you're saying I should care more about politics and accuracy than I do about flash and entertainment?! No, no, no; you've got it all backwards, Comrade_Emma (or should I say, Comrade_Buzzkill!)

JK Yeah, fair point.

zugzwang

YouTube is not really my go-to source for learning about something.

I look to YouTube as a form of infotainment. I find normal TV too addicting -- it's hard for me to start a series without binge-watching and neglecting all my responsibilities and my life falling to pieces (damn you, Netflix!). So at the end of a long day, or while I'm taking a break, I like to watch YouTube.

comrade_emma

ProSocialism, especially his three latest videos are in my opinion the best since they are very factual and accurate

Awesome, will check em out. Thanks!. :)

comrade_emma

as opposed to more flashy and entertaining but wrong videos like those by people like xexizy.

And will check them out, too, as a potential guilty pleasure.

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on April 10, 2018

I just watched ProSocialism's vid on the 1905 Russian Revolution. Not flashy, but I did find it entertaining, as well as informative. They're a hella good storyteller.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdkdyQal9SU

(Edit: It's less than 5 minutes, for those wondering if they have time for the click)

Noah Fence

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Noah Fence on April 10, 2018

This is a great vid from Contrapoints...

https://youtu.be/zPa1wikTd5c

If you want to experience disbelief and astonishment, check out the incredible musclebound nationalist Viking puppy dog The Golden One!

Noah Fence

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Noah Fence on April 11, 2018

Red and Black is kind of OK, I think Martin is connected with Class War but his commentary is usually pretty good despite him dropping the occasional reactionary clanger.

https://youtu.be/jCtd0IvlfQI

Method of Freedom

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Method of Freedom on April 11, 2018

I like

anarchopac https://www.youtube.com/user/anarchopac/videos

SocialRevolution https://www.youtube.com/user/stabbedagainandagain/videos

Anarchist Spectacle https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjdp1zvCaLOR4VOrpGz6mA/videos

AudibleAnarchist(audio books) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaO1QA8QL99_eb0XhJI2Fyw/videos

Working Class History https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS07I8wcmxtvUCMd-oMkbFw/videos

Reddebrek

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on April 14, 2018

Well the channel isn't really appropriate but the video review of the film Sacco and Vanzetti covered anarchism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdnznPf9gDA

I became a sort of research consultant for it. The political bits aren't great but it was literally their first time looking at the subject. Lord knows I've seen much worse first time impressions. They've also said they'll be doing more videos on Japanese anarchism and radical politics in film later, so hopefully they'll improve.

jolasmo

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jolasmo on April 15, 2018

Contrapoints, Sean and hbomberguy are probably my favourite "political" YouTubers. I occasionally watch stimulator as well, but find their style a little grating although they do cover a lot of interesting stuff, albeit not in a great deal of depth. I also have a soft spot for PZ Myers, who is a leftist but mostly posts about atheism and the sceptic community (his blog Pharyngula is also pretty good IMO).

Would be good to see more and better anarchist and communist content on the platform as it does seem like a space has opened up for that with the rising popularity of certain left wing channels and the current state of disarray of the dominant conservative/alt-right personalities who have been the main political voices on YouTube for so long. I <3 Contrapoints to bits but as she has freely admitted economic and political theory isn't really her thing as such so there's a space for more in depth videos on those sorts of topics IMO, if they were put together well and delivered in an entertaining way.

Uncreative

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Uncreative on April 15, 2018

jolasmo

Would be good to see more and better anarchist and communist content on the platform as it does seem like a space has opened up for that

I'd love it if there were an anarchist/communist version of Extra History. Historical events and lives, told as engaging little 6-part stories. Well written, amusing cartoons, etc. I'd try and do it myself, but unfortunately I can't draw to save my life. [EDIT: i also can't write, and im not amusing either.]

I haven't watched youtube stuff for politics myself, but i'll probably check out some of the ones people are mentioning here.

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on April 16, 2018

Yay! Our list is growing. :)

Here's a video from a channel I just discovered. Gives a clear, easy to understand explanation of labor exploitation in capitalism. Also kinda fun to watch. The kind of thing you can share with your liberal or apolitical friends. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVCqOpM4UUw

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on April 16, 2018

Uncreative

I'd love it if there were an anarchist/communist version of Extra History. Historical events and lives, told as engaging little 6-part stories. Well written, amusing cartoons, etc.

Oooh, I haven't even heard of this, but just from your brief description, I'd love something like that, too.

Uncreative

I'd try and do it myself, but unfortunately I can't draw to save my life. [EDIT: i also can't write, and im not amusing either.]

Username checks out. ;)

I think you should go for it, tho, if you have the time. Some really popular stuff on YouTube is made by people who suck at drawing, but they make that their thing, and it works for them. Like Casually Explained https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JANApS0P4z8

comrade_emma

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by comrade_emma on April 16, 2018

Lucky Black Cat

Here's a video from a channel I just discovered. Gives a clear, easy to understand explanation of labor exploitation in capitalism. Also kinda fun to watch. The kind of thing you can share with your liberal or apolitical friends. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVCqOpM4UUw

Not to sound nit picky but that video is really is just sloganeering, it's obvious that the creator has not read Marx and is just guessing what words used in his critique of the political economy mean(and sometimes even creating his own word combinations).

jolasmo

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jolasmo on April 16, 2018

Lucky Black Cat

Uncreative

I'd try and do it myself, but unfortunately I can't draw to save my life. [EDIT: i also can't write, and im not amusing either.]

Username checks out. ;)

I think you should go for it, tho, if you have the time. Some really popular stuff on YouTube is made by people who suck at drawing, but they make that their thing, and it works for them. Like Casually Explained https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JANApS0P4z8

Maybe you could get away with using a combination of basic animation and historical footage and photographs etc. as long as it's well written and entertaining. I'd offer to help but I can't draw either.

~J.

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on April 17, 2018

comrade_emma

Lucky Black Cat

Here's a video from a channel I just discovered. Gives a clear, easy to understand explanation of labor exploitation in capitalism. Also kinda fun to watch. The kind of thing you can share with your liberal or apolitical friends. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVCqOpM4UUw

Not to sound nit picky but that video is really is just sloganeering, it's obvious that the creator has not read Marx and is just guessing what words used in his critique of the political economy mean(and sometimes even creating his own word combinations).

I think he's just trying to get through to a more mainstream audience. Most people are put off by Marxist jargon. I see nothing wrong with inventing new word combinations. I don't think Marx would mind, either. I think he'd be more likely to mind it if people felt his ideas should only be talked about using the same word combinations he used. I think he'd say we should lighten the hell up!

I know people put Marx on a pedestal, and hey, he was a really smart guy, maybe he deserves to be up there. But surely no pedestal should be so high that we can't put the person's ideas in our own words?

I dunno. Maybe there are particular words / word combinations you're talking about that are important to keep in order to preserve a proper understanding of the idea. And if that's the case, then fair enough. Can you give me an example of what words / word combos you're put off by?

comrade_emma

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by comrade_emma on April 21, 2018

deleted

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on April 17, 2018

What would be the appropriate term in this case?

comrade_emma

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by comrade_emma on April 21, 2018

deleted

Reddebrek

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on April 17, 2018

Eh,Marx used the term selling of Labor in his early works, Wage Labour and Capital for example. Engels edited much of Marx's earlier economic works in the 1890s and often substituted the term Labor-power.

It also seems pretty clear he's using the term Labour value in much the same way it was originally used in Wage Labour and Capital. He even uses a similar argument structure making use of workplace examples to demonstrate the economic relationships.

Also Labour Value is attributed to Adam Smith,to say the video maker made it up is pretty weird when it literally cuts to a Adam Smith talking head quoting the wealth of nations. http://geolib.com/smith.adam/won1-05.html

And to be honest I don't really see where you're getting that what that video is saying is just as impenetrable compared to official Marxist terms. Aside from the Adam Smith quotation I've actually heard most of the terms used and arguments on several occasions at workplaces and in community meetings.

In contrast the only times I've heard rigid discussions sticking to the letter of Marxist terms have been in meetings of the small openly political groups.Even then most Marxists I've come across don't make frequent usage of the terminology.

adri

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by adri on April 18, 2018

Contradicting myself but I thought the spgb had a nice video on capitalism, Capitalism and Kids Stuff. I like some of the more informative videos as well, used to occasionally watch/listen to Chomsky Philosophy (just short clips of Chomsky talking), but generally I don't think you can find serious or in-depth content on youtube (unless it's like an audiobook). I think I got it down pat why capitalism is bad, so don't need to watch another video about that. With a lot of youtubers it seems like the creators themselves are more important than whatever they're saying, and I don't care about personalities or helping people's youtube careers etc. The in-your-face anarchist or communist types are also quite intolerable, don't see how they think they're going to appeal to a larger audience (besides just their friends/comrades). I used to also listen to Democracy at Work/Richard Wolff. I liked the format of their podcasts/talks (which were sometimes interesting news-wise) but Wolff's worker coop ideas are crap (as well as his interpretation of Marx).

Noah Fence

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Noah Fence on April 18, 2018

SomeGreyBloke is pretty good for a little political parody. This one gives a good idea of the schtick. It’s very funny!

https://youtu.be/cfDYcEAg2DA

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on April 19, 2018

Haha, I saw that one a while back. Good stuff.

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on April 19, 2018

zugzwang

Contradicting myself but I thought the spgb had a nice video on capitalism, Capitalism and Kids Stuff.

I'm gonna see if I can find that video. I've read some of their articles and been impressed.

zugzwang

I think I got it down pat why capitalism is bad, so don't need to watch another video about that. .

LOL, true!

I used to also listen to Democracy at Work/Richard Wolff. I liked the format of their podcasts/talks (which were sometimes interesting news-wise) but Wolff's worker coop ideas are crap (as well as his interpretation of Marx)

I've seen two or three of his vids. Yeah, there are alotta problems with his politics. He's a very engaging speaker, though.

adri

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by adri on April 20, 2018

Lucky Black Cat

zugzwang

Contradicting myself but I thought the spgb had a nice video on capitalism, Capitalism and Kids Stuff.

I'm gonna see if I can find that video. I've read some of their articles and been impressed.

zugzwang

I think I got it down pat why capitalism is bad, so don't need to watch another video about that. .

LOL, true!

I used to also listen to Democracy at Work/Richard Wolff. I liked the format of their podcasts/talks (which were sometimes interesting news-wise) but Wolff's worker coop ideas are crap (as well as his interpretation of Marx)

I've seen two or three of his vids. Yeah, there are alotta problems with his politics. He's a very engaging speaker, though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEQk4VvVUGw&t=1143s

Kind of zeitgeist-ish but done before all of that (2005-ish actually, which is pretty neat considering YouTube wasn't even a thing then) and obvioulsy less conspiracies and bullshit. Strangely enough the person who's posting that seems to be a fan of the now deceased Fresco.

Reddebrek

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on April 20, 2018

This is a video essay that started as a look at the Hobbit films and morphed into an examination of how international film studios managed to change labour relations for the nation of New Zealand and push through greater casualization of its labour force.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi7t_g5QObs

jolasmo

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jolasmo on April 22, 2018

Reddebrek

This is a video essay that started as a look at the Hobbit films and morphed into an examination of how international film studios managed to change labour relations for the nation of New Zealand and push through greater casualization of its labour force.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi7t_g5QObs

Lindsay Ellis is a bit of a wet liberal going by some of her earlier work, but I do generally enjoy her stuff and her Hobbit videos have been particularly well researched and enjoyable.

Reddebrek

5 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on April 22, 2018

comrade_emma

deleted

You can just request an account deletion, you don't have to hunt down all your old comments and delete them. Its also really rude as it wrecks the conversation flow of threads for anyone curious whose reading.

Anyway I've been watching some videos by a German youtuber called Three Arrows, I'm guessing by the choice of icon and comments he's made on contemporary German politics he's social democratic. Though when he briefly brought up how the SPD remained in power after WWI he was very critical.

He mainly makes videos debunking popular right wing videos about history, including holocaust revisionism.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCT8a7d6S6RJUivBgNRsiYg

Edit: Forgot to add, Three Arrows has been the target of video take down campaigns, so if you do like his videos you may want to get into the habit of downloading them. I discovered him when a video was taken down but mirrored by others.

jolasmo

Lindsay Ellis is a bit of a wet liberal going by some of her earlier work, but I do generally enjoy her stuff and her Hobbit videos have been particularly well researched and enjoyable.

Her political views have matured a lot in recent years, she's a lot more familiar with political radicals who were influential in film and stage and she's brought some of that into her videos.

Croy

5 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Croy on May 1, 2018

I am glad this thread got made. I know people that got laughed at for suggesting youtube for disseminating propaganda. It deeply troubles me that anarchist organisations still go to the bother of making their own news papers, it shows an utter refusal to engage with the new media and instead act of wishful thinking nostalgia. The reality is is that video is the preferred format for basically everything nowadays, at least in the "developed" world (yes, loaded kinda fucked up term, but you know what I mean).

The trouble is is that no one wants to do what's necessary. Anarchists don't tend to be the type of personalities that would be required to even get close to channels with content similar to the above actually watched by members of the class who aren't already on board. The bar for production value is also being increasingly raised. This sucks but it is the truth.

I would love to see some people really try hard and take the content of something like libertarian socialist rants and make it a bit more concise and worded in more normal language (yes, that means ditching using the word comrade and shit like that because everyone that isn't us probably finds that cringe as fuck) so it would be watchable for normal people. Because let's face it, all the channels above probably have a viewer base exclusively that means they are preaching to the converted.

adri

5 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by adri on May 1, 2018

the croydonian anarchist

I am glad this thread got made. I know people that got laughed at for suggesting youtube for disseminating propaganda. It deeply troubles me that anarchist organisations still go to the bother of making their own news papers, it shows an utter refusal to engage with the new media and instead act of wishful thinking nostalgia. The reality is is that video is the preferred format for basically everything nowadays, at least in the "developed" world (yes, loaded kinda fucked up term, but you know what I mean).

The trouble is is that no one wants to do what's necessary. Anarchists don't tend to be the type of personalities that would be required to even get close to channels with content similar to the above actually watched by members of the class who aren't already on board. The bar for production value is also being increasingly raised. This sucks but it is the truth.

I would love to see some people really try hard and take the content of something like libertarian socialist rants and make it a bit more concise and worded in more normal language (yes, that means ditching using the word comrade and shit like that because everyone that isn't us probably finds that cringe as fuck) so it would be watchable for normal people. Because let's face it, all the channels above probably have a viewer base exclusively that means they are preaching to the converted.

I actually prefer paper formats to digital texts, not for nostalgia or whatever but because I don't like reading stuff on the web (an ereader would change that probably). The stimulator/sub-media might be what you consider good production value, but I don't dig the masks and everything (don't know that much about their politics actually). Their target audience is obviously leftists and radicals, so I don't think they attract many people outside those groups.

"Comrade" should be used sparingly in my opinion.

radicalgraffiti

5 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by radicalgraffiti on May 1, 2018

if i open something and its a video i usually just close it again, a well done video is great but most are just pointless and boring and its much quicker to read some text, video is only good when it makes use of the extra features video allows

darren p

5 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by darren p on May 2, 2018

Just to blow my own trumpet...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8ry6o32UAM

R Totale

5 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by R Totale on May 2, 2018

Obviously each to their own and all that, but I really don't understand where people find the time to watch all these videos - like, reading's for if you want to educate yourself on the bus/while slacking off at work/hiding in the bogs, and podcasts are for cooking and doing housework/exercise if you do that/maybe while driving or walking if you don't mind using your mobile data to stream big files or are prepared to mess around downloading them first, but when are you meant to watch videos? Like, if I'm at home and not doing any of the above, I'd much rather be listening to music or watching some decent tv than watching pewdiepie explain the commodity form or whatever. Or do I just need to be braver and sit around at work watching jontron debate the nature of the USSR for 20 minutes straight while daring my manager to point out that I'm not working? Not to knock anyone who's into it, I just don't really understand the whole thing myself.

And submedia do some good stuff but I do find the Stimulator style really, really grating/cringey.

Mike Harman

5 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Mike Harman on May 3, 2018

R Totale

Obviously each to their own and all that, but I really don't understand where people find the time to watch all these videos

Youtube has replaced TV for a lot of people, especially under about 23 years old. This doesn't however explain replacing Countdown or Homes Under the Hammer with hours of looking up the nose of ranting fash though.

Reddebrek

5 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on May 4, 2018

darren p

Just to blow my own trumpet...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8ry6o32UAM

I like those videos, if you're interested in doing more readings in the future I'm sure Audible Anarchist would be glad to see them too.

So the channel that asked for recommendations on anarchism did its second video, this time covering the film Eros + massacre, its about the life and death of Noe Ito

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGY2GC0aLKc

I also find uploads by Anarchopac to be interesting, though her videos are essentially podcasts with her talking over an image https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3FD64RRsrCLpiZNkq7ZkSg

I occasionally watch uploads from Punks for Progress https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrKDqm_Q8i42tZSsXLmLz3Q/featured?disable_polymer=1

A Bay area activist. His channels a bit spotty its close to the Revolutions Bookstore and has uploaded promotional material for political candidates. But they do have a lot of footage and documentaries from recent marches, demos and confrontations and they also have a large Punk music collection and upload a lot of live shows for current Punk bands and have made music videos for others.

Also despite the channels small size its been noticed by a lot of internet right wing types so the comments sections are nasty than usual for YT political content.

Oh and here's mine, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyhoKI98zPwE5RkfPq8vh1A

Its mainly podcasts with some film uploads,

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on May 4, 2018

the croydonian anarchist

I am glad this thread got made. I know people that got laughed at for suggesting youtube for disseminating propaganda. It deeply troubles me that anarchist organisations still go to the bother of making their own news papers, it shows an utter refusal to engage with the new media and instead act of wishful thinking nostalgia. The reality is is that video is the preferred format for basically everything nowadays, at least in the "developed" world (yes, loaded kinda fucked up term, but you know what I mean).

The trouble is is that no one wants to do what's necessary. Anarchists don't tend to be the type of personalities that would be required to even get close to channels with content similar to the above actually watched by members of the class who aren't already on board. The bar for production value is also being increasingly raised. This sucks but it is the truth.

I would love to see some people really try hard and take the content of something like libertarian socialist rants and make it a bit more concise and worded in more normal language (yes, that means ditching using the word comrade and shit like that because everyone that isn't us probably finds that cringe as fuck) so it would be watchable for normal people. Because let's face it, all the channels above probably have a viewer base exclusively that means they are preaching to the converted.

Yes! I feel very, very strongly that it would be a great benefit to spreading anarchist ideas if there were a few high quality YouTube channels out there aimed at "normal" people rather than preaching to the choir of wild eyed radicals such as ourselves.

YouTube is a good format for spreading ideas. It's been used quite successfully to spread reactionary rightwing ideas, which is a shame, but we should get in on that action.

Croy

5 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Croy on May 7, 2018

I always find it funny when people can't fathom people spending their free time doing anything else than what they do with it.

Uncreative

5 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Uncreative on May 8, 2018

I went to watch a video on youtube from a (non-political) channel I like, and it came up with just some text saying that they were hosting that video somewhere else as protest against youtube demonetisation policies and recommending you check out the Youtubers Union, with a link.

Website
Facebook
Reddit

Thought people might be interested, has anyone else seen this? Are any of the political youtubers you lot have mentioned above in the union?

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on May 14, 2018

darren p

Just to blow my own trumpet...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8ry6o32UAM

Reddebrek

Oh and here's mine, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyhoKI98zPwE5RkfPq8vh1A

Its mainly podcasts with some film uploads,

I finally had time to check out your channels. Good stuff, comrades :D

So, how important is YouTubing to you? On the spectrum of a totally casual pursuit to ardent whole-hearted endeavor, where do you fall?

Reddebrek

5 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on May 14, 2018

Uncreative

I went to watch a video on youtube from a (non-political) channel I like, and it came up with just some text saying that they were hosting that video somewhere else as protest against youtube demonetisation policies and recommending you check out the Youtubers Union, with a link.

Website
Facebook
Reddit

Thought people might be interested, has anyone else seen this? Are any of the political youtubers you lot have mentioned above in the union?

I don't think its a union in any real sense, its more like an informal pressure group. There's been a few initiatives like this before as well as the formation of channel networks on youtube, as well as attempts to build aggregator sites outside of YT. Thanks to the growth of the gig economy and casualization a surprisingly large number of people depend on ad revenue for a portion or all of their income so the recent scandals about adverts going up on extreme content including ISIS recruitment videos and the uploads of copyrighted material which has prompted YT to get stricter with their advertising policies and led to a decline in income from their ad services.

They've also added all LGBTI content regardless of what its about as age restricted in the past effecting search ability. But I think they walked that back a bit I've not heard much more about it in recent months.

What's made it different and more frustrating is that YT now has multiply revenue streams available, YouTube Red, a specialised ad packages, preferential treatment in search algorithms etc, but these are restricted to a small number of channels that are usually very big already. Giving more money to the users who already have quite a lot of it.

I've never monetised myself, I've been luck enough not to need it but I sympathise with those who do. Sometimes the company has given into to outcries like this and scaled back some of its features.

Lucky Black Cat

darren p

Just to blow my own trumpet...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8ry6o32UAM

Reddebrek

Oh and here's mine, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyhoKI98zPwE5RkfPq8vh1A

Its mainly podcasts with some film uploads,

I finally had time to check out your channels. Good stuff, comrades :D

So, how important is YouTubing to you? On the spectrum of a totally casual pursuit to ardent whole-hearted endeavor, where do you fall?

Thank you, to be honest it was just really a hobby, my hard drives are full of files, music and vids and audio that I thought were really interesting but seemed like not many people were aware of them so I made some simple videos (slide shows really) using audio files in windows movie maker, and uploaded them.

I was really impressed with an internet radio station I found called Free Speech Radio News (FSRN) that covered strikes and protests around the world. So I downloaded their radio pods, AKA podcasts found some appropriate images, slapped them together and uploaded them. Some were sorta popular, I got a thank you e-mail from FSRN and was even asked to help out during some of their fundraisers.

I got lucky and was given the ability to upload videos longer than 10 minutes which was a new feature at the time, so I also started uploading documentaries and films in full instead of doing that Part 1/14 thing other people had to do.

I took a break for several years after my videos using Utah Phillips radio documentary show Loafers Glory kept getting swarmed by copyright claims because he packed his shows with folk music.

Now I've a lot of free time on night and weekend shifts so I've gotten into podcasts in a big way. So I've been using the audio to make new videos about labour history and social struggles. The BBC has a lot of stuff that qualifies if you can stand the occasional liberal academic.

Reddebrek

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on September 24, 2018

Recently a report came out detailing how extreme right wing youtubers have been building a rather large and well connected and extensive propaganda platform (supplemented with other platforms including mainstream media appearances and other social media accounts).

https://datasociety.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DS_Alternative_Influence.pdf

Its pretty long an I'm only partly through it, but I've already seen about a dozen of the people named in the report attempt to discredit it and warn their audiences to stay away from it. So I guess its hit pretty close to the bone.

It also contains an extensive glossary of modern right wing terms and code phrases for those who find themselves confused by modern internet slang.

Noah Fence

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Noah Fence on September 24, 2018

Weird that nobody’s mentioned Libertarian Socialist Rants?

adri

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by adri on September 24, 2018

Noah Fence

Weird that nobody’s mentioned Libertarian Socialist Rants?

They have in this thread. I like some of his more recent stuff.

Reddebrek

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on September 25, 2018

Finished the report, I highly recommend it as a guide to the potential of YouTube and sites like it as a platform and some of the problems we'll face combatting a new generation of reactionaries.

Speaking of, I saw a new channel had released a lengthy and very well made video on racist Afrikaner myths about South Africa. It was immediately hit with false reports and is in restricted viewing.

He's channel is here and you may or may not be able to see the video https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCViO5gRp5Boa6QslAo-gPAQ/videos?disable_polymer=1

If you can't see it several other channels including my own mirrored it, and it can be viewed here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNhlfyoVlLQ&t=3s

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on September 28, 2018

Noah Fence

Weird that nobody’s mentioned Libertarian Socialist Rants?

I did mention LSR in my OP ;)

Reddebrek

Finished the report, I highly recommend it as a guide to the potential of YouTube and sites like it as a platform and some of the problems we'll face combatting a new generation of reactionaries.

I fully agree, Reddebrek. I'm glad that you and others are using that platform to spread ideas that will actually do the world some good.

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on September 28, 2018

Yoooo, big scandal! Reddebrek, I didn't read the report, but just you talking about it reminded me of something I heard recently on a video by Creationist Cat (leftwing atheist channel). He mentioned that rightwing YouTuber Blaire White made a video where she talks about how she has backed off talking about politics after becoming disillusioned with other famous rightwing YouTubers / social media personalities, because (1) many of the big names don't really believe what they say but are just doing it for fame and money, and (2) one of them advised her to do a fake publicity stunt.

So just now I looked up her channel and found the vid he's talking about. And woah. First of all, she doesn't name names, which makes me more inclined to believe her, because it's clear she's not trying to take anyone down due to jealousy or a personal vendetta.

About the fake publicity stunt, a rightwing youtuber advised her to hire fake protesters for an event she was speaking at and to make them protest signs saying really outrageous and ridiculous things. And she says that this person said he does this and he knows of four other rightwing media personalities who do it, too!

So much for George Soros being our sugar daddy, eh? Nope! The fake leftist professional protesters are hired by the right!

Also, Blaire White says that it's not just some famous rightwing youtubers that don't truly believe in what they say, but the vast majority.

As she says in her video:

Not literally all, there's 2 or 3 good ones, but the overwhelming majority and those people that you guys know, are just liars.

Now whether they are faking it or really believe it doesn't matter, because the effect is the same, spreading hateful, fucked up views. But still... interesting.

She also talks about being invited onto a show on a very prominent news network, to debate another transwoman, and how she was coached on what opinion she should express, and also coached to insult the person she's debating by saying "the only reason you're mad is cuz you don't look like a woman"!!!!!! (this one's the least surprising but it's really f'd up)

Here's a link to the video. The first half is her talking about her being harassed (which is another reason she's backing off from discussing politics online); the scandalous stuff starts at 7:00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Ft2E_ibxQ

Reddebrek

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on September 28, 2018

Yeah I'd heard about that awhile ago, its not really surprising though I would say I don't buy that they're being completely insincere, I think its more that many of them do hold these values but its just not their main reason for spending so much time and effort making propaganda and brand building. Ultimately yeah I agree it doesn't really matter, insincere Fash propaganda is still just as damaging.

But this isn't really unique to right wing vloggers, quite a few lefty channels seem to more into this as a revenue stream and source of personal brand building. MRN is probably the most transparent example, you can track the state of his finances by the periods that are full of "Response" videos and debates with other youtubers.

My introduction to the youtuber Xexizy (sp?) was the revelations that he likes to hang out with a bunch of right wing yt types like Sargon of Akkad in real life. Wasn't the best introduction. I also ended up in a group chat with a leftcom channel (though a lot of his stuff seemed to be really pro Corbyn so I don't quite know what the deal was there) who I didn't know well, but they were soon kicked out of the chat because of a multiple hour long argument with other users over how they should be allowed to use racial slurs in public because it was `just speech`. He got banned after saying he would have no problem using racists words for black people to their faces in the street.

I wasn't that familiar with the guys stuff and soon after he deleted or abandoned his accounts, but I'm going to assume that wasn't his public persona.

There are a lot more anecdotes, but really I think its important to keep in mind that a lot of this has become a bit of a spectacle, and despite the DIY aesthetics* a lot of this dudes and dudettes are taking part in a sort of self employed cottage industry that needs clearly identifiable brands and conflict, drama and tension to drive in viewers.

*Incidentally, a lot of the big channels are run by people who have a lot of disposable income starting up, which the more I think about, the more it explains certain things about their behaviours and views.

Reddebrek

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on September 28, 2018

A lot of the really popular youtube channels including political ranters and video game streamers use the same model for audience cultivation and expansion. They use what's called parasocial relationships. If you've wondered why a lot of open Neo-Nazi are marching about with placards of a smug frog, or some fan art of internet avatars, this is why. To them these yt superstars are like mentors and friends.

The whole thing is pretty toxic and very easy to abuse, I think its worth keeping in mind when dealing with the new media.

There's a video series on parasocial relationships that is pretty enlightening.

The intro video
https://youtu.be/x3vD_CAYt4g

Episode one (its nearly two hours long, but its very well made, very unsettling and genuinely emotional)

https://youtu.be/KLA-uFKjQ-g

Mike Harman

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Mike Harman on September 28, 2018

Reddebrek

But this isn't really unique to right wing vloggers, quite a few lefty channels seem to more into this as a revenue stream and source of personal brand building. MRN is probably the most transparent example, you can track the state of his finances by the periods that are full of "Response" videos and debates with other youtubers.

I was thinking about this reading the far right on youtube report - as in what would a "right wing youtube network of the left" look like, and well the prospects don't really look good at all.

reddebrek

My introduction to the youtuber Xexizy (sp?) was the revelations that he likes to hang out with a bunch of right wing yt types like Sargon of Akkad in real life.

I had seen some kind of debate he tried to organise with Sargon of Akkad in Brighton, did not know there whether there was more instances of this though.

I'm sure this will be livestreamed on youtube btw: (Angela Nagle vs. Sargon of Akkad at Trinity College Dublin's "classical liberal" society).

https://twitter.com/trinlibsoc/status/1042877729711038464

Reddebrek

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on September 28, 2018

My introduction IIRC was a backlash from some of his fans to him turning up to hang out with Sargon and presumably Sargon's friends and posing for pictures and the like, at a night out, then later on there was talk about setting up some sort of debate.

So either the pair like each other well enough or they were getting pally to lay the groundwork for some collaborations (which is what youtube debates ultimately are, even if its 4 hours of both sides calling each other mean names) for audience growth.

Not sure which, but either way it convinced me not to take the guy seriously.

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on September 28, 2018

Who's MRN?

Reddebrek

A lot of the really popular youtube channels including political ranters and video game streamers use the same model for audience cultivation and expansion. They use what's called parasocial relationships. If you've wondered why a lot of open Neo-Nazi are marching about with placards of a smug frog, or some fan art of internet avatars, this is why. To them these yt superstars are like mentors and friends.

Had to google parasocial relationship. To save others the trouble, it means:

one-sided relationships, where one person extends emotional energy, interest and time, and the other party, the persona, is completely unaware of the other's existence. Parasocial relationships are most common with celebrities, organizations (such as sports teams)

So, how can someone use the model of a parasocial relationship? It sounds like just a natural byproduct of fame. Not something you can willfully use.

I think leftists do this, too. Marxists, where you at?

I also don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with a parasocial relationship, though I can see how it can be a problem if you're like pining for someone who doesn't know you exist. Like my teenage crushes on celebrities. Then again, most of my teenage crushes were pretty much parasocial, even with people I knew IRL. :(

Reddebrek

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on September 28, 2018

That's not a very good definition because it implies lack of intent on the part of the unaware. Sports teams do not know who everyone who buys the team shirts and sits in the stadium are, but they sure as hell spend a lot of money encouraging the fixation on the team by the anonymous mass. And profit from it heavily, and I don't think I need to elaborate all the ways such extreme emotional attachments to teams can have severe negative effects for the fans and random people.

The two video's I linked to cover it in detail, as does the report. I don't believe its natural at all, celebrities don't just luck into fame and adoration, they employ dozens of people to manage their image and deliberately create and amplify the attractions of their fanbase to encourage more devotion and sales.

We don't like to think about it but celebrities and entertainers are part of an industry that has to turn our pleasure into money to survive.

MRN is Maoist Rebel News, probably the longest running "leftist" youtuber, basically you can write an essay on the dumb stunts he's pulled and really toxic behaviour he pushes covered in a vaguely leftish aesthetic over the years, I know because I actually did that once.

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on September 29, 2018

Oh yes, Maoist Rebel News. He does seem like a real asshole.

Fair points on the parasocial thing. I think parasocial relationships are inevitable when someone is famous, because you can't have a relationship with thousands or millions of people, but it's true that celebrities, sports teams, etc. will try to amplify devotion to them, for profit and ego juice. Don't have time for vids or much reading right now but watched a few mins of the first vid and the intro was impressive (I like that it makes an effort to be entertaining as well as informative, since I have a poor attention span).

R Totale

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by R Totale on September 29, 2018

Just going to leave this here: http://reallifemag.com/like-and-subscribe/

http://reallifemag.com/force-fed/ is also relevant, IMO.

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on October 9, 2018

I watched the intro video on parasocial relationships. Really interesting and quite disturbing. Also got me reflecting on the parasocial relationships I've had in my life. When you're very young it can especially mess you up because you have such a weak understanding of what's real. One of my earliest memories is looking out the window and crying because the Care Bears never came down from Care-o-Lot to help me out like they did with other kids when they were in need.

Reddebrek

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on October 16, 2018

Lucky Black Cat

I watched the intro video on parasocial relationships. Really interesting and quite disturbing. Also got me reflecting on the parasocial relationships I've had in my life. When you're very young it can especially mess you up because you have such a weak understanding of what's real. One of my earliest memories is looking out the window and crying because the Care Bears never came down from Care-o-Lot to help me out like they did with other kids when they were in need.

That's actually kind of adorable.

Recently there's been a number of revelations about many video game publishers and developers forcing extreme working conditions and or (usually and) using every dirty trick they can think of to get their customers addicted to buying more and more cyber guff.

There have also been some moves towards unionisation and strengthening collective bargaining and workplace protections by staff including voice actors.

One somewhat welcome response is that the near constant examples of corporate hyper exploitation has pushed a number of games bloggers and video makers further left in response and some are openly supporting unions and worker solidarity, even it means (though it probably wouldn't) fewer games.

Here's Jim Sterling, he's done dozens of videos about how capitalism screws over art, and hurts it workforces.

Judging by his comments about "fair shares" and how companies would still exist even if everyone followed his plans to the letter I'd say he's more of a social democrat at present, but he's covered the games industry for years now from an increasingly anti-capitalist standpoint.

https://youtu.be/ycz3U1HDfJo

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on October 17, 2018

Reddebrek

One somewhat welcome response is that the near constant examples of corporate hyper exploitation has pushed a number of games bloggers and video makers further left in response and some are openly supporting unions and worker solidarity, even it means (though it probably wouldn't) fewer games.

Hey, that's great!

Gamers rise up! :P

adri

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by adri on October 17, 2018

Reddebrek

Lucky Black Cat

I watched the intro video on parasocial relationships. Really interesting and quite disturbing. Also got me reflecting on the parasocial relationships I've had in my life. When you're very young it can especially mess you up because you have such a weak understanding of what's real. One of my earliest memories is looking out the window and crying because the Care Bears never came down from Care-o-Lot to help me out like they did with other kids when they were in need.

That's actually kind of adorable.

Recently there's been a number of revelations about many video game publishers and developers forcing extreme working conditions and or (usually and) using every dirty trick they can think of to get their customers addicted to buying more and more cyber guff.

There have also been some moves towards unionisation and strengthening collective bargaining and workplace protections by staff including voice actors.

One somewhat welcome response is that the near constant examples of corporate hyper exploitation has pushed a number of games bloggers and video makers further left in response and some are openly supporting unions and worker solidarity, even it means (though it probably wouldn't) fewer games.

Here's Jim Sterling, he's done dozens of videos about how capitalism screws over art, and hurts it workforces.

Judging by his comments about "fair shares" and how companies would still exist even if everyone followed his plans to the letter I'd say he's more of a social democrat at present, but he's covered the games industry for years now from an increasingly anti-capitalist standpoint.

https://youtu.be/ycz3U1HDfJo

Used to watch Sterling on a regular basis, seen most of his videos over the years, pretty entertaining, and seems like a genuinely nice person (actually introduced me to Kate Bush). I've grown kind of bored with his reporting on the gaming industry and how outraged/shocked he gets over capitalist game companies doing something objectionable, which isn't really news to me. I've never heard him identify capitalism as the issue; he'll usually say something like executives in game companies are profit-hungry, etc. He's definitely not a run-of-the-mill gaming channel, though.

Noah Fence

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Noah Fence on October 17, 2018

introduced me to Kate Bush)

Wow! What was she like?

adri

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by adri on October 17, 2018

Noah Fence

introduced me to Kate Bush)

Wow! What was she like?

Unbelievable.

Noah Fence

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Noah Fence on October 17, 2018

zugzwang

Noah Fence

introduced me to Kate Bush)

Wow! What was she like?

Unbelievable.

Mine was good, but yours my friend, was comedy genius!

adri

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by adri on October 17, 2018

just so we're all on the same page (I think we're all on the same page?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZdMROtsrF8

Jim has a second channel (FistShark Marketing I believe) where he does comedy bits/sketches. He usually "tackles" game industry stuff in his "Jimquisitions"; most of his main channel is just him commentating while playing (usually bad) games. He's grown a lot in popularity recently due to some "developers" of a game he reviewed suing him, which obviously turned out in his favor.

R Totale

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by R Totale on October 17, 2018

As it happens, when I met EMF they made a similar impression.

Reddebrek

5 years 4 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on October 30, 2018

A video on Caliban and the Witch, which (heh) I see has gotten a lot more discussion on the net in recent weeks.

I put off watching it for a bit because I didn't feel like watching a 20 minute video largely about a book I hadn't read but got curious after like the sixth recommendation. I found the video easy to follow and was surprised how quick it flew by.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmk47kh7fiE

The fellow who runs the channel set it up to promote philosophy in protest at the increase in Tuition fees.

Lucky Black Cat

5 years 4 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on November 1, 2018

Oh yeah, Philosophy Tube! I've seen a few of his vids and was impressed. I got this in my recommendations, too, but never watched it; but now that I realize it's about Caliban and the Witch, a book I've heard many favorable murmurs about, I'm eager to have a watch when I find the time.

Happy Halloween!