Watching your videos felt like a cleanse from the short-form, often thoughtless content (AKA brainrot) I have to work so hard to avoid (yet sometimes still succumb to) as someone in my early 20s raised on the internet. This year my goal was to consume content that was more thoughtful and would help me learn -- I can tell this is about to become my favorite corner of the Internet.
Blake, this essay was like some kind of fresh whipped cream on the dang ol' tangiest key lime pie that are your banger videos. Behind the curtain, vulnera-vealing, honest. You're a gem. Thank you for the gift that is you. And f those agents, man! Sounds like they missed out on the writer of the moment. Keep it up. Love your literary focus, love your bookish tune, love your whole vibe. THANK YOU.
Thank you for this thoughtful reflection of your great video (through which, of course, I found you). I very much looking forward to what you are going to offer us in the future and hope that your dreams of getting published will become a reality.
Definitely stay away from us, it can ruin a person. We'll just quietly support everything you do because it's obvious you don't need us as inspiration. May your dream of being published come true and the book tour be gentle on you. Go forth, create and ignore the slathering beast anxious for more of you (that's us)
I just want to start by saying, what an amazing video. I fully intend on watching, and enjoying, your "Who Can Write Whose Story?" video, I just need to go to sleep soon lol.
YouTube, and frankly the internet as a whole, has completely lost its way. It feels like everything is structured around trying to distract you, get your attention, and take away your time. Extremely low quality "entertainment" that fries your brain with a continuous stream of dopamine, with no need to think critically about anything.
All this to say, the type of video you're making, is what the internet was made for. A place to share information freely among people across the whole world. To be able to learn from people, hear their stories, make real connections. It's something that's sorely lacking in the current environment, and it's videos like yours that give me faith the idea of the "old" internet hasn't been completely lost on people.
Even if you end up getting the attention of a literary agent, and your book gets published, please don't stop making videos. From what I've seen so far, you have a natural talent for it. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise. I can't wait to see what comes next.
I'm with you Ben. Most of the advice for new YouTubers is to churn out content (1 video per week). I thought maybe I was being stupid ignoring that advice. These videos take longer to make, but I'm happy you and others are finding joy in them. Working on them is a great break from fiction writing.
Good luck with everything! And if it helps - I’m one of the digital natives you mention as someone in my mid-twenties, and I remain deeply suspicious of this kind of fame and exposure. It’s so normalized now, but our brains are simply ill equipped to understand and internalize the input of hundreds and thousands of strangers in a healthy way. The parasocial label is tossed around lots, but it’s true - we can now access a time capsule of what you thought and said in the process of making this video at any time, any place. That’s bound to create some odd expectations and feelings that neither side knows what to do with. It’s important for anyone with a public persona to sit with that discomfort. I find your reflection upon that process in this newsletter really refreshing. That measured perspective is a large part of why I liked your videos so much, and I’m excited to see what comes next from you!
Super well said, Priya. David Foster Wallace I feel explores this wonderfully in his essay 'The Nature of the Fun' which is in his book of non-fiction essays 'Both Flesh Or Not.' I believe this was the very first (of many) books of his posthumously released and the title essay is also a banger — it's an NYT Mag in-depth profile of Roger Federer in his early prime. If you like tennis it's a brain-changer, too.
Neil, that’s a great rec, thank you! I looked up the essay and it’s food for thought. I’ve added the full book to my (miles long) TBR. And funny you mention, “Roger Federer as Religious Experience” is the first thing I ever read by DFW! My brother is both a huge tennis fan and a writer, so it’s a legendary piece of writing to us both. :)
I came for a poke around because I genuinely couldn't believe that a video from someone so new to the YouTube game could be so well edited and structured — and I guess it actually is, but you worked on it loads? Probably a lesson there. Anyway, fantastic stuff, and I'm looking forward to what you do next.
It's me, myself and I. That's why these videos take so long. But I do get great advice from my wife and my video mentor. The early drafts of my videos are always poorly organized. Thanks for the kind words!
Do you recommend any interviewers for nonfiction books? Fantastic video by the way.
One thing I would add for the intellect vs beauty aspect that you touched on: that the type of art being made by Dua lipa in her day job is completely opposite in ideology and execution to her novel author interviews. Usually someone who interviews and analyzes fiction like this will find her level of unit shifter music and performance to be draining. It's why you'd expect this from Joanna Newsom or St. Vincent way before Dua Lipa.
As someone who finds most pop music fun to dance to but otherwise pretty uninteresting, I sympathize with your point. I honestly don't read much nonfiction these days, so I'll leave it to others to recommend great interviewers.
I think Rich Roll is the crème de la crème of non-fiction author interviews. Check out his interviews with (just a few examples) Tim Ferriss, Prof G, and Jonathan Haidt. Additionally, the 'otherppl' podcast hosted by Brad Listi is really good and he has great author interviews, though more fiction I think (check out his interview of Jonathan Franzen.) (I should probably also mention I have a longform literary podcast called '3 Books' w/ guests like Brené Brown, Mark Manson, and Malcolm Gladwell.)
Watching your videos felt like a cleanse from the short-form, often thoughtless content (AKA brainrot) I have to work so hard to avoid (yet sometimes still succumb to) as someone in my early 20s raised on the internet. This year my goal was to consume content that was more thoughtful and would help me learn -- I can tell this is about to become my favorite corner of the Internet.
I love the idea that the internet could have "corners." Glad you enjoyed the videos!
Blake, this essay was like some kind of fresh whipped cream on the dang ol' tangiest key lime pie that are your banger videos. Behind the curtain, vulnera-vealing, honest. You're a gem. Thank you for the gift that is you. And f those agents, man! Sounds like they missed out on the writer of the moment. Keep it up. Love your literary focus, love your bookish tune, love your whole vibe. THANK YOU.
Thank Neil! You're clearly someone who also puts a ton of work into a literary dream. Much respect!
Thank you for this thoughtful reflection of your great video (through which, of course, I found you). I very much looking forward to what you are going to offer us in the future and hope that your dreams of getting published will become a reality.
Definitely stay away from us, it can ruin a person. We'll just quietly support everything you do because it's obvious you don't need us as inspiration. May your dream of being published come true and the book tour be gentle on you. Go forth, create and ignore the slathering beast anxious for more of you (that's us)
I really love this comment lol
you’ve inspired me to start my own channel. this was the push i needed! you rock.
Nice! Share your channel when you launch!
This is one of the most engaging and well done essays I’ve ever read, if you ever do get published I’ll be on your pre-order list!
I just want to start by saying, what an amazing video. I fully intend on watching, and enjoying, your "Who Can Write Whose Story?" video, I just need to go to sleep soon lol.
YouTube, and frankly the internet as a whole, has completely lost its way. It feels like everything is structured around trying to distract you, get your attention, and take away your time. Extremely low quality "entertainment" that fries your brain with a continuous stream of dopamine, with no need to think critically about anything.
All this to say, the type of video you're making, is what the internet was made for. A place to share information freely among people across the whole world. To be able to learn from people, hear their stories, make real connections. It's something that's sorely lacking in the current environment, and it's videos like yours that give me faith the idea of the "old" internet hasn't been completely lost on people.
Even if you end up getting the attention of a literary agent, and your book gets published, please don't stop making videos. From what I've seen so far, you have a natural talent for it. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise. I can't wait to see what comes next.
I'm with you Ben. Most of the advice for new YouTubers is to churn out content (1 video per week). I thought maybe I was being stupid ignoring that advice. These videos take longer to make, but I'm happy you and others are finding joy in them. Working on them is a great break from fiction writing.
Good luck with everything! And if it helps - I’m one of the digital natives you mention as someone in my mid-twenties, and I remain deeply suspicious of this kind of fame and exposure. It’s so normalized now, but our brains are simply ill equipped to understand and internalize the input of hundreds and thousands of strangers in a healthy way. The parasocial label is tossed around lots, but it’s true - we can now access a time capsule of what you thought and said in the process of making this video at any time, any place. That’s bound to create some odd expectations and feelings that neither side knows what to do with. It’s important for anyone with a public persona to sit with that discomfort. I find your reflection upon that process in this newsletter really refreshing. That measured perspective is a large part of why I liked your videos so much, and I’m excited to see what comes next from you!
Thanks for such a thoughtful and empathetic response, Priya. I appreciate it.
Super well said, Priya. David Foster Wallace I feel explores this wonderfully in his essay 'The Nature of the Fun' which is in his book of non-fiction essays 'Both Flesh Or Not.' I believe this was the very first (of many) books of his posthumously released and the title essay is also a banger — it's an NYT Mag in-depth profile of Roger Federer in his early prime. If you like tennis it's a brain-changer, too.
Neil, that’s a great rec, thank you! I looked up the essay and it’s food for thought. I’ve added the full book to my (miles long) TBR. And funny you mention, “Roger Federer as Religious Experience” is the first thing I ever read by DFW! My brother is both a huge tennis fan and a writer, so it’s a legendary piece of writing to us both. :)
Super interesting. Good luck with it!
Beautiful!
you rock
you rock
I came for a poke around because I genuinely couldn't believe that a video from someone so new to the YouTube game could be so well edited and structured — and I guess it actually is, but you worked on it loads? Probably a lesson there. Anyway, fantastic stuff, and I'm looking forward to what you do next.
I would never have guess this was your second. Props to whoever is doing your production. And, double so for your writing and delivery.
It's me, myself and I. That's why these videos take so long. But I do get great advice from my wife and my video mentor. The early drafts of my videos are always poorly organized. Thanks for the kind words!
Do you recommend any interviewers for nonfiction books? Fantastic video by the way.
One thing I would add for the intellect vs beauty aspect that you touched on: that the type of art being made by Dua lipa in her day job is completely opposite in ideology and execution to her novel author interviews. Usually someone who interviews and analyzes fiction like this will find her level of unit shifter music and performance to be draining. It's why you'd expect this from Joanna Newsom or St. Vincent way before Dua Lipa.
As someone who finds most pop music fun to dance to but otherwise pretty uninteresting, I sympathize with your point. I honestly don't read much nonfiction these days, so I'll leave it to others to recommend great interviewers.
I think Rich Roll is the crème de la crème of non-fiction author interviews. Check out his interviews with (just a few examples) Tim Ferriss, Prof G, and Jonathan Haidt. Additionally, the 'otherppl' podcast hosted by Brad Listi is really good and he has great author interviews, though more fiction I think (check out his interview of Jonathan Franzen.) (I should probably also mention I have a longform literary podcast called '3 Books' w/ guests like Brené Brown, Mark Manson, and Malcolm Gladwell.)