Cryptid Cafe

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mg. kit

kit@m.tripulse.link

I have grown so very sick of youtube video essays. not because the format is bad, far from it, I adore the format. the problem is so, so many of them are just so bad

I’ve complained about charisma before, but that’s not the real issue. the issue is how much nothing they say

so often, the entire video feels less like an essay and more like a summary of a thing, sometimes with an opinion about that thing as well, but nothing is actually said about it, there is no analysis, and there sure as hell isn’t any sort of reflection or contemplation, which is especially annoying when the videos are about social, cultural, or political issues, because all that accomplishes is shaming people and then leaving without even making a point, let alone discussing any potential solutions or action

I want more substance. where is it hiding?

kasdeya

2 months ago

Reply to @kit@m.tripulse.link

Edited 2 months ago

@kit I literally just got done watching a video essay like this omg. it was about how Tim Heidecker is Good™ and Rob Schneider is Bad™. the whole video just kind of meandered around without a point to make and instead settled for surface-level comparisons between them and observations like how Rob Schneider’s sitcom has really aggressive color grading which is somehow manipulative and insecure? the title of the video was “Why Conservative Comedy isn’t Funny” but it didn’t even try to explore this question

it did make me aware of Tim Heidecker’s standup routine where he pretends to be a hacky insecure entitled reactionary comedian though and that was pretty interesting to watch

mg. kit

kit@m.tripulse.link

2 months ago

Reply to @kasdeya

@kasdeya I think I’ve seen the exact video you’re talking about and I had the same takeaway. total waste of time, aside from being introduced to that routine

I think what annoys me even more than just the lack of substance in these “essays” is that they are written and presented so seriously. if people want to just talk about stuff for fun like the good old days and not actually have anything substantial to say or analyze or whatever, that’s perfectly cool, but dropping the pretense sure would be nice. I might have even liked that video if it was presented more conversationally (and was shorter)

mg. kit

kit@m.tripulse.link

2 months ago

Reply to @kit@m.tripulse.link

you know what, instead of just complaining this time, I’d like to share a few talky videos with you that I think are actually good, whether you or their creators would call them “video essays” or not

I’d love to see somebody drop some more links in a reply. let’s enjoy things together