New and improved time wasters
The very first video ever uploaded to YouTube was the 19 second short Me at the Zoo by YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim. The comments section says that was 18 years ago yesterday, but the Wikipedia page says it was uploaded in April of 2005.
Whatever. It set the tone for the kind of content they were looking for. I’m going to assume Karim sold his stake in the site, because it’s reported he periodically changes the description of the video to criticize management decisions (such as not displaying dislikes).
I read recently that by next year, people will spend more time watching YouTubes than broadcast television. I can’t be arsed to look it up – what am I, an investigative journalist? – but I wouldn’t be at all surprised. I gather the young’uns spend a lot of time on it.
I’m already watching more YouTube than TV. I’ve graduated from woodturning and tool repair videos to 15 Most Disturbing Things Found in Attics (mostly people) and 9 worst things found in the woods (mostly dead people). I’m finding more and different kinds of useless time wasters every day.
It’s a wonder, though. YouTube’s actual interface is shit.
Posted: January 15th, 2024 under youtube.
Comments: 10
Comments
Comment from ExpressoBold Pureblood
Time: January 15, 2024, 8:58 pm
At least you’re not wasting time on that hive of scum and villainy known as “x.com,” formerly known as “twitter.”
Yes, I did rip off Obi-Wan Kenobe… what of it?
At least I didn’t end by announcing “These are not the trolls you’re looking for…”
Comment from Some Vegetable
Time: January 16, 2024, 12:16 am
Another shamed hand raised with head down for watching a lot of YouTube videos… and roughly zero TV…
Comment from Durnedyankee
Time: January 16, 2024, 11:10 am
@Expressobold Pureblood.
We here at the Harvard University Board of Directors are currently in search of a new President for Harvard University and would be willing to consider your application to fill the position if you are so inclined.
Comment from dissent555
Time: January 16, 2024, 5:40 pm
of the many scourges now facing civilization one of the worst is the proliferation of the stupid video clip ads that grace the borders of web pages. I especially love when the same ad is playing on the screen in three or more different locations. Why yes, of course that is going to make me even more inclined to click on your venal, bilious garbage ad. Because if there’s anything i need more of, it’s more ridiculous lying trash taking up space in my brain.
Comment from Tim Carlson
Time: January 16, 2024, 5:53 pm
Either Youtube, or sailing the high seas with Captain Jack, or Facebook (minimal) or TwiX (again, minimal). No cable or terrestrial content, at least directly. Usually the stuff playing on my screen is just background while I’m tinkering/programming. Or it’s lulling me to sleep.
Comment from S. Weasel
Time: January 16, 2024, 6:21 pm
I’m afraid I’m on X, too. I’ve developed the attention span of a fruit fly.
I have this thing about Youtube ads. I have to hit the skip button the very nanosecond I’m presented with. Talk about your futile gestures, but it does make me feel better.
Comment from RushBabe
Time: January 16, 2024, 6:49 pm
Weezie, new dead pool on Friday since Ed Norton’s wife, Trixie, passed? p2 takes the dick with Joyce Randolph at the tender age of 99.
Comment from ExpressoBold Pureblood
Time: January 16, 2024, 7:06 pm
@Harvard University Board of Directors
I am happy to decline to your offer to receive an application from me. Your income taxes are too high and the low caliber of your matriculated students and your Marxist teaching staff is too abysmal to consider.
Have you considered approaching someone from Yale or William and Mary? Those seem more likely hunting grounds for misfit cockamamie fruitcake plagiarists.
Comment from Jeff Weimer
Time: January 16, 2024, 8:31 pm
I like to cast YT videos to my TV, but every time a commercial comes on, it advances to the next video in the queue, but only once and just the next video, unless I click back on the current video, then it’ll advance again at the next commercial. It’s weird.
Comment from Clifford Skridlow
Time: January 18, 2024, 4:06 pm
If you are a woodworking and tool repair sort of lass, have a look at the clickspring you tube channel. The guy is building an Antikythera Mechanism, all by hand, mostly with the tools of the day. Clearly a mind comfortable with the idea of spending a few weeks filing little notches into brass things, which would have eliminated me on about the third notch . . .
Write a comment
Beware: more than one link in a comment is apt to earn you a trip to the spam filter, where you will remain -- cold, frightened and alone -- until I remember to clean the trap. But, hey, without Akismet, we'd be up to our asses in...well, ass porn, mostly.<< carry me back to ol' virginny