God I love this specific brand of video essay. I love video essays but 90% of them are "here's this thing that everyone likes and it actually sucks and you're an idiot for liking it and I'm actually really smart and yeah it might have some redeeming qualities but it's not enough and it sucks" meanwhile thane is like "hey this game about cats? Here's what it has to say about why humanity is so fucking beautiful even in the face of all of our awfulness"
Cat is just the hook. "Existential exploration of the end of our species and the consequences therein" is the boat you're getting hauled up to. Press x to meow is just a better sale line.
@ it’s an older meme from the Heavy Rain video game where you have to run around aimlessly in a crowded mall looking for your son and calling out his name
Discovered one of your cyberpunk vids the other day & since then, I’ve been using your content to fall asleep to (video essays help prevent me from overthinking all night.) You do an excellent job with the voiceovers- not just by speaking in a calm/soothing voice, but by allowing your storytelling to breathe with pauses and steady pacing. There’s so many creators who have good content, but their voiceovers sound like a 30-minute run-on sentence… which doesn’t give viewers the chance to process everything being said (and personally raises my anxiety LOL)
“Perhaps humanity is not what we are right now. Perhaps humanity is what we will leave behind after we are gone.“ What a raw and poignant take away. For goodness only knows how long humans have been trying to find meaning in our own existance, what sets us apart from other species. What is it that makes humanity what it is. We are seemingly the only species with a depth of consciousness that has us anxiously preocupied with our preservation beyond the individual. We are so preocupied with what we leave behind to be known and remembered by and even more so with what will keep us existing so that we can know and remember ourselves by those things we left behind. Trying to anticipate what might endanger our existance so we might get ahead of the problem and continue. Because humanity seems to not just be about who and how we are in the present, but about how we keep the world itself alive by being the ones who are aware of it. Can the world, its history, all the knowledge we have worked so hard to collect in our existance, still exist if humans aren’t around to be aware of it? I mean yes it will exist, but will it be understood? We desperately want it to be, because understanding is so important to us. I haven’t played the game but from what you describe it seems that’s where the weight of B-12 lies. The last remnant that lets us understand and perceive the world as we have understood it. When he’s finally actually gone, and humanity’s entire consciousness is no more, can we make peace with it? Can we make peace with our humanity now existing by the things we made in our image and our way of living even if humans aren’t around to understand it? I don’t think I have an ending point, you just got me thinking deeply about existentialism. This was an excellent video, well done Thane Bishop.
"from featuring cats to featuring... cat" hahahah man who'd think a game about a cat dodging robots and critters could be so deep and interesting, even inspiring although I think you bring most of the aforementioned qualities, it's a game that deserves being in my pending list
As an aspiring/wannabe writer myself, this was an incredibly inspiring take on a game that I never really put enough thought into, I think. I watched a playthrough of it when it came out and sort of never thought about it again. This essay, however has got me thinking about it again. I do really like the interpretation here, in fact I would go so far as to say it is objectively correct, (like most of your takes.) Also, slight side-note, I was talking out loud to myself just earlier today and I noticed genuine similarities in the way I was speaking and your vocal cadence. You've infected me with essay-voice. Screw you, Thane, (affectionate).
"Humanity is what we will leave behind after we are gone.“ I like that takeaway. We remember Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia... we don't remember the average person that lived in those civilizations. Perhaps our legacy is as a collective, not as individuals. Cyberpunk and a World that loves to hate you, Humanity in ODST, Uncheckable Power in Dishonored. I've always been obsessed with these themes, this overarching idea of "humanity and legacy". I think this video is your capstone work; it's the conclusion in a thesis that ties everything you've written so far, and ties it all together beautifully. Cheers, sir.
I don’t always watch your videos the day they release, but every time I watch them. They’re like a strangely comforting. I don’t know how to explain it, but I always feel relaxed when I watch your videos.
The story of Stray has so much depth and interesting elements and you get to see that through the eyes of a cat. I really hope we get to see more future projects from the devs because I'd love to see more on how humans went extinct and how the robots learned from them.
Minor correction, your definition of solarpunk seems to be exactly the definition of solarpunk. Doesn't seem to mean "no technology", but rather technology in service of the needs of a community, a community that lives in harmony with their environment and isn't wastefully and destructively consumerist (in contrast to the capitalist pursuing of "infinite growth" at the expense of humanity and the rest of nature, as everyone turns into their own 4 walls collecting Funk-O-POPs).
Stray really touched me. Never before had a game (or any type of media for that matter) made me feel so much. From time to time I search for Stray content and I’m glad I found your video, very interesting
More like hu-meow-nity, am I right? Metro: Last Light also asks "What do we leave behind?", although it can be more pessimistic about it. The game revolves around the D6 bunker that all factions are convinced will save them. Unfortunately, the bunker is only filled with biological weapons and the like, not food or medicine. Almost like hoarding death won't save lives or something. Certainly a damning statement on war-focused superpowers.
I appreciate your take on the game! I got about halfway through, but the Zurk spooked me so much I quit 😅 little did I know how close to the end I was. Rip
Aaaaah, i get it. It's about a Dog. Seriously though, you have seriously good way with words. Been watching you since i found your dishonored video and I look forward to seeing more.
Gonna be real, Stray is such a beautiful game in just how unique and detailed the world is. I just want to run around as a cat, what do you mean story? I don't need a story i need a charming robot to pat my kitty cat head
This popped up in my recs and I've now subscribed. I love Stray, everything about it, and you've perfectly captured some of the reasons why. I can't tell if you're trying to avoid spoilers or not when discussing the fate of [character name] though, or if maybe you missed a bit of the game?
noooo i cant watch this :(((((( i havent played stray yet anyway thane, i love the vids, you're actually a goated youtuber. any other youtubers youd recommend?
@@ThaneBishop OMG OMG OMG he responded :) i'll watch breadsword once i play stray (I'm buying it today!!!), but I was wondering youtube in general - I really like Jcob Geller, but i'm sure you know who he is. any other recommendations? i love you! keep the good work going king edit: so i took another four fucking seconds to think about what I replied and then i looked up Breadsword and now I'd like to die. I'll watch breadsword rn.
I was so stoked when this game surfaced! It's the best, 'vibe' based story/adventure game I've ever played. I'm still holding out for my proper "what the hell does my cat get up to at night?" game, but this cyberpunk wonder is an impressive waypoint. As a lifelong fan of _Rats of NIMH_ I'm convinced a cat RPG (themed on anything, because cats are a facet of humans just like dogs are) could be my forever game.
God I love this specific brand of video essay. I love video essays but 90% of them are "here's this thing that everyone likes and it actually sucks and you're an idiot for liking it and I'm actually really smart and yeah it might have some redeeming qualities but it's not enough and it sucks" meanwhile thane is like "hey this game about cats? Here's what it has to say about why humanity is so fucking beautiful even in the face of all of our awfulness"
Not 90% but i get the point. You have to filter out bad faith videos to be recommended ones that you'll genuinely get something from
Cat is just the hook. "Existential exploration of the end of our species and the consequences therein" is the boat you're getting hauled up to. Press x to meow is just a better sale line.
Hearing “Jason” almost made me drop my phone in laughter
Came down here to say this too 😂
Can you explain that bit? It went over my head lol
@ it’s an older meme from the Heavy Rain video game where you have to run around aimlessly in a crowded mall looking for your son and calling out his name
OHHH I’ve never played it but now I remember seeing that meme😂 thanks!
@ nothing for it ✌️
Discovered one of your cyberpunk vids the other day & since then, I’ve been using your content to fall asleep to (video essays help prevent me from overthinking all night.) You do an excellent job with the voiceovers- not just by speaking in a calm/soothing voice, but by allowing your storytelling to breathe with pauses and steady pacing. There’s so many creators who have good content, but their voiceovers sound like a 30-minute run-on sentence… which doesn’t give viewers the chance to process everything being said (and personally raises my anxiety LOL)
I spend my time on this platform looking for people like you.
I very much enjoy these.
I pressed all the appropriate buttons.
“Perhaps humanity is not what we are right now. Perhaps humanity is what we will leave behind after we are gone.“
What a raw and poignant take away. For goodness only knows how long humans have been trying to find meaning in our own existance, what sets us apart from other species. What is it that makes humanity what it is. We are seemingly the only species with a depth of consciousness that has us anxiously preocupied with our preservation beyond the individual. We are so preocupied with what we leave behind to be known and remembered by and even more so with what will keep us existing so that we can know and remember ourselves by those things we left behind. Trying to anticipate what might endanger our existance so we might get ahead of the problem and continue.
Because humanity seems to not just be about who and how we are in the present, but about how we keep the world itself alive by being the ones who are aware of it. Can the world, its history, all the knowledge we have worked so hard to collect in our existance, still exist if humans aren’t around to be aware of it? I mean yes it will exist, but will it be understood? We desperately want it to be, because understanding is so important to us. I haven’t played the game but from what you describe it seems that’s where the weight of B-12 lies. The last remnant that lets us understand and perceive the world as we have understood it. When he’s finally actually gone, and humanity’s entire consciousness is no more, can we make peace with it? Can we make peace with our humanity now existing by the things we made in our image and our way of living even if humans aren’t around to understand it?
I don’t think I have an ending point, you just got me thinking deeply about existentialism. This was an excellent video, well done Thane Bishop.
"from featuring cats to featuring... cat" hahahah
man who'd think a game about a cat dodging robots and critters could be so deep and interesting, even inspiring
although I think you bring most of the aforementioned qualities, it's a game that deserves being in my pending list
Actually, it deserves to be in your "have played" list 👉👉
As an aspiring/wannabe writer myself, this was an incredibly inspiring take on a game that I never really put enough thought into, I think.
I watched a playthrough of it when it came out and sort of never thought about it again. This essay, however has got me thinking about it again. I do really like the interpretation here, in fact I would go so far as to say it is objectively correct, (like most of your takes.)
Also, slight side-note, I was talking out loud to myself just earlier today and I noticed genuine similarities in the way I was speaking and your vocal cadence. You've infected me with essay-voice. Screw you, Thane, (affectionate).
"Humanity is what we will leave behind after we are gone.“
I like that takeaway. We remember Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia... we don't remember the average person that lived in those civilizations. Perhaps our legacy is as a collective, not as individuals.
Cyberpunk and a World that loves to hate you, Humanity in ODST, Uncheckable Power in Dishonored. I've always been obsessed with these themes, this overarching idea of "humanity and legacy". I think this video is your capstone work; it's the conclusion in a thesis that ties everything you've written so far, and ties it all together beautifully.
Cheers, sir.
I don’t always watch your videos the day they release, but every time I watch them. They’re like a strangely comforting. I don’t know how to explain it, but I always feel relaxed when I watch your videos.
Wonderful! More reasons for "go watch thane, his writing is absolutely incredible" to harass everyone I know with!
Fantastic video mate!
The story of Stray has so much depth and interesting elements and you get to see that through the eyes of a cat. I really hope we get to see more future projects from the devs because I'd love to see more on how humans went extinct and how the robots learned from them.
Minor correction, your definition of solarpunk seems to be exactly the definition of solarpunk. Doesn't seem to mean "no technology", but rather technology in service of the needs of a community, a community that lives in harmony with their environment and isn't wastefully and destructively consumerist (in contrast to the capitalist pursuing of "infinite growth" at the expense of humanity and the rest of nature, as everyone turns into their own 4 walls collecting Funk-O-POPs).
Congrats on 50k, I still have to play Stray though.
Stray really touched me. Never before had a game (or any type of media for that matter) made me feel so much.
From time to time I search for Stray content and I’m glad I found your video, very interesting
More like hu-meow-nity, am I right?
Metro: Last Light also asks "What do we leave behind?", although it can be more pessimistic about it. The game revolves around the D6 bunker that all factions are convinced will save them. Unfortunately, the bunker is only filled with biological weapons and the like, not food or medicine. Almost like hoarding death won't save lives or something. Certainly a damning statement on war-focused superpowers.
Always a wild ride with these videos brother, nice one
I appreciate your take on the game! I got about halfway through, but the Zurk spooked me so much I quit 😅 little did I know how close to the end I was. Rip
First. Also yet another great video Thane. Keep it up
This gives me the warmest, biggest hopeful feeling ever. ❤
New vid! I love you thane bishop :3
❤ty for doing the skyrim streams cuz thats the only reason i found u :)
Awesome video ive been wanted to play stray. Will definitely try it out
Aaaaah, i get it. It's about a Dog.
Seriously though, you have seriously good way with words. Been watching you since i found your dishonored video and I look forward to seeing more.
I look forward to buying and playing this one!!
Gonna be real, Stray is such a beautiful game in just how unique and detailed the world is. I just want to run around as a cat, what do you mean story? I don't need a story i need a charming robot to pat my kitty cat head
amazing video thanks for posting
Another very thoughtful video, keep up the good work!
I think it’s a good thing that you decided to leave behind something you were proud of :) and oh my god factorio!!,
This popped up in my recs and I've now subscribed.
I love Stray, everything about it, and you've perfectly captured some of the reasons why.
I can't tell if you're trying to avoid spoilers or not when discussing the fate of [character name] though, or if maybe you missed a bit of the game?
Stray is just 3d rain world minus the slug part .
Love the video, can't wait for the factorio one
The factorio close is oddly fitting, but I wouldn’t know how to say why
Wait, Stray is Cyberpunk? Guess I’ll need to play it then watch this video again. You keep adding to my list Thane!
Very nice. Thank you
noooo i cant watch this :(((((( i havent played stray yet
anyway thane, i love the vids, you're actually a goated youtuber. any other youtubers youd recommend?
If you don't know Breadsword, please go enjoy one of the greatest to ever play the game
@@ThaneBishop OMG OMG OMG he responded :)
i'll watch breadsword once i play stray (I'm buying it today!!!), but I was wondering youtube in general - I really like Jcob Geller, but i'm sure you know who he is. any other recommendations?
i love you! keep the good work going king
edit: so i took another four fucking seconds to think about what I replied and then i looked up Breadsword and now I'd like to die. I'll watch breadsword rn.
@@oddbouchie Do it! I personally recommend his videos on Howl's Moving Castle and Gurren Lagann.
Did not get a notification for this so I’m a bit late
great video, saw your post on the stray subreddit and came to check it out! subscribed
I need you to talk about The Last of Us, a zombie game (or show) that is not a zombies
Hey Bishop have you ever played a game called (Ori and the Blind Forest). I highly recommend it for both the storytelling and the OST.
HIP HIP... HURRAY!
CAT GAME LESGOOO
Algorithm pleasing comment ❤
Algorithm pleasing response!
it really isn't, the cat is just a way to tell the story.
Call this city the matrix cuz im in this B and i cant get out
4:52
Comment for the Algorithm Gods. Looking forward to your factorio video
I was so stoked when this game surfaced! It's the best, 'vibe' based story/adventure game I've ever played. I'm still holding out for my proper "what the hell does my cat get up to at night?" game, but this cyberpunk wonder is an impressive waypoint. As a lifelong fan of _Rats of NIMH_ I'm convinced a cat RPG (themed on anything, because cats are a facet of humans just like dogs are) could be my forever game.