I'm looking for some small content creators who's content has not been influenced by the potential of making money. In the early days of YouTube there was mostly trash, but then a few small channels started using formats, using specific styles and actually standing out above a pile shit.
I used to love how these creators made their content for their viewers, they were so very different from anything we had in those days. Things have changed, I get it, everybody and their dog are trying to make money on the internet. Content creators need to pay bills, feed families and maintain/improve their quality. Honestly, I get it. But it sucks, I feel like 90% of the content I come across are contractually based to release at a specific time or interval. Meaning content creators are just milking their audience and sponsors. I'm not saying this type of content isn't good, it's just how it feels 10x less genuine and from the heart of the creator. (I feel LTT belongs in this category as well) It feels like cable television with extra steps and a personal algorithmic touch.
What people tend to forget is how little resources you need to make good quality content on youtube. It's never been easier to just start recording on our 4K+ smartphones. Yet, it's never been this hard to consistently find early internet ethos content creators.
So Lemmy, can you tell me about some small content creators whichhave the passion and drive we used to see?
I'll leave a few channels here which I enjoyed the most this past month.
Nokeric - Of the rails sketches
Joel Haver - Short sketches but also long form deep thought (Larger channel)
He's absolutely the best spokesperson for right to repair. Very knowledgeable and no-bullshit approach. Although I find he's becoming very complainy lately, not that there's not enough to complain about lmao, but sometimes I'm not in the mood for 15 min of heated ranting.
My channel is not very good 😅 but I make videos just because I love talking about old video games and want an excuse to talk about them more. New videos come out every Tuesday and Saturday because that's when my co-host is off of work and can watch them with her mom. 🙂
https://youtube.com/@drcouzelis
Nothing wrong with a little self promotion! I do enjoy channels like The Retro Future as well, I'm sure I'll enjoy yours as well.
Beau Miles. Makes beautiful little documentaries voiced over with his beautiful Australian accent.
All of them with sponsorblock, which you then whitelist based on tolerability and quality.
I find that most content producers don't really actually let the sponsors get in the way of content in any capacity other than quantity (as in they produce too much for the channel's good). There's a small number of exceptions, but those usually stink enough that you spot it a mile away, and most of them intentionally. This isn't TikTok or Insta, Creators actually do want you to know when they didn't make something out of their own accord.
Some try to be more subtle with their one-off events... And into the blacklist they go back when they do. Unfortunately one of those was Kurszgesagt a month ago, with their blatantly biased and fearmongering video on Bioweapons, which was largely based on one non-scientific source. Funny enough, they did seem to a leave a hard to notice hint that the video was off, I mean, aside from the content. The hint was that: The video had no birds. You know, their mascots.
Them being sponsored is not the issue here, contrary to popular belief, you can actually be sponsored AND unbiased. But listen to many different creators and you'll notice a trend in burnout, chasing the next viral video, having to meet deadlines for sponsors, etc. All these things can and will deteriorate the viewing experience.
I follow plenty of creators, doing so full-time and only with the support of their fans, it's a well thought out, proven system and it works. Almost all of them started before any monetisation was possible as well. It's amazing how something like that is even possible.
All that being said, there's a definite decline in passion and drive across the board. I still enjoy all the new produced content, but in the same way I enjoy a movie or TV show. Much less in a "we're a community of like minded people" kind of way.
My problem with sponsorship isn't about bias, it's about annoying sponsored segments.
https://www.youtube.com/@post.10
just a dude unclogging culverts, living in the moment
no ads, no begging to subscribe, nothing, just pure raw content
Lmao, thank you. Unironically just people doing their jobs is great content. Powerwashing, yard cleaning, wood building, etc
Beau of the fifth column does 3-10 minute videos doing political analysis in what looks like a garage.
He said on a longer FAQ video that he's set things up to hide his channel's income from himself. He draws a salary that's enough to take care of his family, but he doesn't know how much more the channel earns -- he doesn't want his content to be influenced even unconsciously by which videos The Algorithm say paid better.
Project Farm is probably the foremost tool/gear testing and review channel. No sponsors, he always buys what he tests with his own money, and all of the testing ideas come from the community. This dude is one of the hardest working content creators and makes great videos that serve a valuable purpose.
Conedodger240 Kurtjmac
After all these years they're still small enough that I feel a connection. These guys aren't making millions. They're getting by and trying to be genuine.
I've got some, but they're not small.
There's callmekevin for game plays, but it's done in the worst way possible. (Rtgame, too. They're friends and have videos together)
Stephen tries' main channel. He does comedy sketches. But may not land as well if you're not from England.
And, one I haven't seen people mention, Kurzgesagt. Some people have issues from them for talking about things that may be influenced. And they've got big sponsors like Bill Gates. But, when you actually watch them, that whole kerfuffle just doesn't make sense because of what they talk about. They do educational videos, and their art style is the best I've honestly seen.
Kuba Klawiter / Mrkeybrd discusses technological topics, but tries to do everything ethically, with his own money. He even travels to CES (from Poland) on his own, although he could easily find a sponsor.
Nino's Home - cooking
You Suck At Cooking - No bullshit. Just cooking. (except for all of the bullshit)
I mainly make game reviews and I often get comments shocked at how I only have 600 subs, so go check me out if you have the time. I just made an hour long video about Pokemon Crystal a few weeks ago lol.
https://youtube.com/@flameguy21?si=Rc3JbPOkBx4_niZJ
I do appreciate creators who do their own content despite being keenly aware of the algorithm.
Infrequent long-form content creators to check out:
Tom O'Regan: British(?) topical/interest reviews, personal recommendations include his Obra Dinn video, Sickest Chess Match, and The Biggest Mistake In Music History
B-Mask: I support him on Patreon so pardon the bias but he likes to take his time creating in-depth and clear retrospectives on topics he's interested in, managing to get you interested in The Fantastic Four, Jems, and 2000s video game trilogies. Not long form for the sake of $$$ but insightful analysis of the history, themes, and personal deconstruction of such topics.
Also check out Moth Light Media for evolutionary biology, and Lines in Motion for manga and art analysis.
More frequent but short form (under 4 minutes) creators to check out are few and wide, 5sf are back-ish but carrying the torch are:
CrackerMilk are a bunch of good aussie lads making short sketches for quick laughs, with excellent timing and shooting.
Valueselect is a personal fave where he was doing sketches a year or two ago but is experimenting with yt shorts quite well. The majority of his comedy surrealist/fantasy/80's styling music are absolute hits.
Hope these are good starting points, I found these guys from browsing similar threads.
I'm not sure all of these are really small content creators and completely sponsor free but here it is:
YT channel on STEM and making sciency stuff: https://youtube.com/@TechIngredients?si=ic6g-uCLEWXO4DWu
Random technical stuff : https://youtube.com/@TechnologyConnections?si=sz-Gwfgo0gMN3vOG
All things space genuine expert: https://youtube.com/@scottmanley?si=MzE-v1thBOwrvmBf
Great computer stuff: https://youtube.com/@Computerphile?si=S2Ju7aLhViNw5sd8
Not so unnecessary inventions: https://youtube.com/@UnnecessaryInventions?si=O9iy4OVVbhJj6-kE
Some scottish guy researching odd history stuff: https://youtube.com/@CalumRaasay?si=UqgnEsN0YkU7YZuR
This guy sounds ! https://youtube.com/@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER?si=9lN-vhpOO-twS6pi
Pretty random list, I just like very different kind of things :)
But I'd say most of the above are passionate people and mostly without ads or sponsors etc.
LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER is honestly one of the best channels I've found this year, the guy's energy is amazing, and the journey of his organ is definitely worth watching. I'll check out the other channels for sure!
Physics Videos by Eugene Khutoryansky
Not really a small YouTuber with just under 1 mill subs, but he's a good example of someone just doing their own thing. Super bizarre videos, but incredibly well made at the same time.
