I wondered the same thing. It might be interesting for more viewers to post what they think might be Joe's reason for keeping the axe at the ready. My thought is that it's right next to the printer and available to fix paper jams.
I don't base my subscriptions on how often creators post. I base them on whether I like(d) them or not. I am not anywhere close to consistent in my viewing habits, and I don't expect creators to be consistent neither. I don't sit around Saturday morning anxiously waiting for XYZ's video to post. If creators need to scale back, more power to them, I'll still be here if they come back.
oversimplified history and ahoy are channels that publish (with luck..) 2 or 3 times a year, and they still have millions subs and get millions of views the moment those videos are publish, quality over quantity
I follow also little subscribers and enjoy their quality content as much....they also offer their services exlusivelly, only to customers that match with their energy. because they know every customer has right to choose...but these coaches have also more time for the client.
i like how over the years Joe is slowly transforming from "Cool nerdy older brother" to "cool nerdy uncle" or "that one coworker that you smoke and play DOS games with"
I'm going to have to check this guy out. I didn't even know quitting TH-cam was a thing. None of the channels I subscribe to quit or announced a scale back, except Hank Green (SciShow) who has had cancer.
2:50 about that "homeless" situation. I used to work as a truck driver across Europe, working in system 12 working days - 2 days off. I survived about a year like that. I didn't rent a flat, didn't have my own place... Literally stayed in a hotel and then went back to work. After about 8 months my mind started to break. After another 3 months my body started to break, and at that point I decided to quit my job, and found myself a place to stay in... I can't imagine someone living like that for years...
Wow, I traveled for work for 3 weeks and it broke me. I'm impressed. I agree though, it's exhausting to always be on the move. I'm happy for you that you found your way back to some roots. 😊
I had to do a measly six weeks of constant travel for work once and I was starting to disassociate. Cannot imagine a year, humans are not meant to be on the move that much.
I lived in the mountains of Eastern Afghanistan for 10 months. We lived at Fob Salerno, the OCCP ( an observation post on a hill that the British had built a castle on when they were there) and we lived at a COP called Gurbuz. Living as a vagabond is not fun. At any time in the infantry you can be told to pack your stuff up and we are moving. There was a 4 month train up for that mission too, during which we moved locations at least 4 times. We trained at Atturburry in Indiana, Knox and Shelby. And each time we moved around and lived in simulated outposts.
I worked for an East Coast moving company for a year in my 20s. 7-12 days on, and 1-3 days off, depending on the distance. While it was fun in the beginning, I got tired of living out of corner stores, motels, and McDonald's real quick... The pay was great, but the toll it took wasn't worth it.
As a very, very, very, very smalltime creator, I know exactly what you mean by the "that one guy is my audience" feeling... it's amazing how much a tiny bit of the RIGHT KIND of positive feedback can help.
I am very professionally fascinated by the business of TH-cam... I am always surprised that folks can become big enough to hire people and rely on that income... Just amazing...
I know, right? To me, the level of difficulty and depending on the fickleness of viewers to keep your numbers up....whew! Scary stuff. And the mystery of how TH-cam pays out couldn't be more opaque. Anyway...as a guy who makes lighting the last 30 years, I'm amazed by the differences in our respective fields. I am the first and last word in my business. Thank God! However, TH-cam's A.I. algorithm cannot be appealed to. Copyright Strikes? Age Restrictions? Random and unexplained de-monetization??? Screw them! (whoever "they" are). That would drive me wild. I'll stick with my old fashioned, " made by hand" business.
Love the talking shop. As an outsider it is fun to hear about the business that is TH-cam. I have a huge amount of respect for creators like yourself, Tom, and MatPat, etc. You produced stuff that has real value. Knowledge.
Joe, glad to hear you're not going to quit. I'm that guy you're making videos for... at least one of them. After 31 years in the creative business I'm happy and grateful for my choice in career. It is a blessing. Remember that feeling when you're tank is running low, because like you said it would be hard to start working in another field (all of a sudden... ). But I've also felt that any job can be done creatively. Love your channel and enjoy all the content (including the Roman thing... LOL.)
Awww, I thought you could resist... It's alright, you had to do it. One thing, though: Tom Scott said in a video over a year ago that he was only going to be making his weekly videos for about another year, and then he was going to focus on other things.
I think one of the big positives about big TH-camrs quitting that a lot of people overlook is that they're creating room for new creators to come in, fill the void, and get their own chance to grow into a place where maybe they can retire someday as well. I'm actually glad to see some of the bigger gaming channels starting to scale back because it gives me a bit more hope that maybe I can carve out my own share of the new volume of attention that will be out there as the big channels potentially produce less and less content. If I'm already starting to grow a bit now, it can only get better with fewer big competitors out there. Seems like a good thing all around, even for the viewers, as it will encourage them to find someone new to watch!
I was watching a video recently where TH-camr mentioned that they had missed their annual “first of the year time off” due to releasing a book. Taking a break after the holidays had always been a thing for that TH-camr. It’s part of how they keep going. And now they are taking that time off. That said, after a time of doing a thing, sometimes you just need to do something else. Good on those TH-camrs who can actually do that. Maybe they will return invigorated with fresh new content. Maybe not. Either way, it’s their life to live.
You're welcome.... I was "that guy" almost 10 years ago that commented how much I liked and looked forward to your content... I trust the check is in the mail. 😂
Your narrative stuff is always super fun and well written. You have always been a fun and positive dude (we appreciate you, and you are a funny guy). Also glad to know the content will keep coming. Even when you retire, we want you to appear every so often in videos (your audience cares about you as a person and will want to know you are happy in your retirement). Anyway, your content before you had a big team helping was always good (no offense to your team because they also are amazing).
Thank you for being a voice of reason in the TH-cam wilderness. Also you have always been candid about how you do things and why and how it's had to change over time. This is something we can all take lessons from, even a boring middle aged public servant like myself. Thank you.
I've watched Tom Scott for a while. I'm pretty sure he hasn't "quit TH-cam". My understanding is that he's got off the wheel of making weekly youtube videos after ten years. He seems to be pausing but seemed to say he may well do more youtube videos as and when he wants to. In short it sounds like a substantial change in scheduling rather than stopping altogether and leaving the platform.
Ends the video with "Peace, I'll talk to you guys later" instead of "Love you guys, take care". Axe in the background. This was one of the clones who went rogue.
I cannot tell you how glade I am that you and other content creators are here. You all make my mornings. I’ll keep watching as long as you keep posting.❤
I still remember you announcing your full time job was now TH-cam! You seemed nervous about it but it was clear it was your vocation in life. Glad you still enjoy it. BTW I do like the creative things. All the skits are brilliant, so I look forwards to some of your creative endeavor coming out. Oh yes, it you go get a guest host, please please do a long intro skit where you go crazy and create a new version of yourself and it takes on a life of its own. ("me, myself, I and who the fu** are you?!") That would be a great way to introduce someone else to the show! :D
There are some TH-camrs I watch who have a quite narrow focus, like minimalism/decluttering/simple living that I'm looking at right now, and lots of them I end up unsubscribing from, because the more they post the more they repeat themselves. I'd rather have a one video a month from them that said something new, than once a week saying the same things over and over. So I'm probably more likely to stop subbing to a channel that posts a lot than one that posts more irregularly but is worth waiting for. Someone in the latter category I'll probably put notifications on for. The first thing I'll usually check on opening TH-cam is my subscriptions tab.
I started a business 20 years ago, and its still about the same size now as it was when I started it. That was by design... it is my passion.... and I never wanted it to grow to the point where I had employees that would have to depend on me. In other words; I never wanted to work that hard... and I always was able to keep it as a "work of love".
I've been watching you for probably around five years. I just wanted to say that I appreciate you, and I appreciate your evolution over the years I've been watching. I think you've got a great mind and heart (not to sound too sappy) whatever you do, I'll watch.
I love your videos! I found your channel about 3 years ago and binged your stuff for that first year. I even rewatch your stuff from time to time since I'm all caught up and really enjoy your content. You could make a video about anything and I'd watch it, you always make learning new things fun! Thanks for sticking around ❤
thank you for this heads up. my channel is growing, but slowly. and i needed to hear this. to know what to expect, is so helpful to plan for. thank you!
Please don't quit Joe! Yours is litterally my favorite channel and I look forward to every Monday. Sometimes I even wait up for it. Btw nice ax. I recognize it from the predator clone skit.
I've thought this whole thing is weird. If people want to quit then quit, that's fine. People change jobs all the time. TV shows get cancelled. Entertainment changes. Someone else will take over, the world will keep turning. I don't care. TH-camrs aren't our friends, they don't know you. It's a business.
Been watching you since 2016. I have had so much fun and learned so much. You are truly a master at the art of delivering the points you are trying to get across. I remember the first video I saw of yours was the “Is there a god”.
I totally agreed with you on the "Old times making videos with friends". I see when we start the need the money from sponsors just to live, is when we start to feel tired and the creative process becames more and more industrial. I wish that TH-cam pays more just with the ad rolls, to give us more confort to focus our time on the content and not the sponsors deals.
Your recent Quipu video has been my favorite so far. I loved the hands on visuals. As someone who does a lot of weaving and is obsessed with indigenous and Hispanic cultures, it was fun to watch and totally in my interest zone. I also love how your audio and visuals have improved in the last year or so. Keep up the good work Joe! 🎉
Tom Scott a year ago made a video where he was looking for a last batch of suggestions for stories for the fall, and that he'd stop at the 10-year mark. If anyone was surprised, they simply missed that video.
Now this is by far one of you’re best TMIv videos yet. I have been watching you and Steve Lehto videos for many, many years now. You both went from having yourselves doing everything to having teams, reaching new milestones, going through changes, branching out into realms of television content, etc. I knew it could not be as easy as just pointing and shooting as well as writing up content and just getting it shot. I also see first hand how many bloopers get made (it never occurred to me wonder if some are removed, but do you put up all your bloopers? I’m getting a behind-the-scenes look into what it really is to be a TH-cam creator. You even touched briefly about how difficult it is ti begin monetizing on it. I’m sure it is a tiny amount of money, and be the time you see any, have you been doing weekly content for two years, five years, ten? I don’t know, either, if one must sign up to monetize (I and my husband have been watching TH-cam before any monetizing was really happening), and do you pick from choices? Such as: I do my own sponsored adverts TH-cam will do one advert in the begin, before my video plays TH-cam will do x numbers of adverts based on content over X minutes Now it doesn’t now how frequently you put up new content or not. It’s monetized whether you like it or not. As the Channel owner and creator (although not ever channel is not structured that way), it is important to stay within the TH-cam Guidelines to continue being monetized.No adverts, please, that talk about the Corona Virus. That is a strange one. I am fully aware of groups of content who only provide fear-mongering falsehoods about all manner of things that play on people’s fears: Betelgeuse, Pluto crashing into Neptune, Atlantis with inhabitants that want to kill us, the Coronavirus will kill us all…I’m sure Coronavirus will continue to spawn all kinds of falsehoods just once it’s out there and thanks to a few truly misguided politicians who made a vaccine something be a afraid of. That isn’t TH-cam’s fault. But it has to keep some kind of order to how these things work with in our world. TH-cam and neither do I, do not know how make it safe to mention the “coronavirus” so that you aren’t spreading “doom an’ gloom” about it, as opposed to just giving what little information little there was four years about it. In this manner of how they did it, one had to git it a moniker that made it innocuous, as though were some new kind of food, more often than not. Roni, Rona, the plague (not to be confused with the Black Plague), covir, etc. I doubt it went over too many heads. I guess the main goal was to put the active fear-mongering folks on simmer, but it is too bad there is not some way to combat the fear-mongering, the hate-mongering…I hate it all. And I have somewhat wondered. But I know I am curious about the TH-cam rules work with the majority of content providers who pure want to relay good, honest, bipartisan information for any in need to know it. That’s a very big deal. I’m also wondering if TH-cam clearly sent a message to every content creator telling them saying or alluding to the Coronavirus-19 is a no-no, did they send anyone the news that you may say it is it is named? I ask as it was slowly and sometimes haltingly reintroduced to our Norma speech. I still hear “roni” applied.okay it’s morning I and I must get up. But I know right where I am in this TMI video (12:22), so I will return to it and all the fun facts you popped in. Thank you, Joe and your crack team! Aislínge and Luis
To be fair on Tom Scott's yt retirement, he did make a specific video announcing his intention over a year ago and how he was going to make X number of new videos for a year to the day and that's it for him.
I love that guy you started making videos for and yes you are right I do watch your channel for your personality. Thank you for your dedication and hard work.
Hi Joe, I'm glad you're not going anywhere. I enjoy your content, some of it is over my head, but it is still interesting to me. Your laid back, casual approach and talk is actually very relaxing, but also makes me think. I had not heard the "people leaving Yoube" before, and was surprised. But your explanation took care of that. On the other hand, I can see why, after some years, it will take a toll. Around 2007 I had created a channel about Gardening, of which I am totally OCD about. Gardening, not the channel. This was before monetization was a thing, (I think) and before they would block videos that used copyright music, which was all I used. I only posted about 10 videos, comic, how to vids and I enjoyed it and continued for a few years. But it eventually got to be a chore I didn't enjoy as much. I didn't do enough work as far as far as content, just those few, and they got likes and comments, mostly positive. If I had done more work, began becoming more sucessful with it to the point I would have to hire others to help, I would have hated it. I'm not a manager, even though I was one in a retail nursery for many years. I'm too soft and just not good at it. Much better by myself. I have thought of making another channel on gardening, this time following YT's rules and such, for some extra income in my old age. But after watching this video, have decided, Nah. I don't want to be tied down to anything to that extent. Not that it would be so sucessful I'd be spending my dotage making videos and commanding employees. I have a part time job, am my own boss, doing what I love doing and have been doing for 30 years, have 5000+ sq feet of perennial gardens and have life pretty much the way I like and enjoy it. But I still get the urge now and then to create, impart knowledge, make it funny and video it. Only time will tell. Thanks for all the information you impart and look forward to seeing more of your videos. Sorry this is so long winded, but hey! Thats me, long winded Bill!😀
Hi! I’m here for you and your personality! And I have been for years. You were actually the first person on TH-cam that I followed regularly and officially subscribed to. It’s not egotistical to acknowledge that you have legit fans.
It's very interesting to hear your inside scoop. I do believe though that TH-cam could change their algorithm to make it a little easier for creative production. It seems the less often or random videos are produced the less those creators get noticed.
I so appreciate you. You've been wonderful over the years showing us a bit behind the curtain. At around 11:00 minutes OMG - getting excitement along with the vision downloaded to another person. Its not even possible I don't think...I believe the only way is through simply showing your excitement and drag them along. Its otherwise a job. You have great insight and instincts. I actually put you and Tom Scott in the same category which I'm not sure how to describe. I would very much miss seeing your ramblings. From this side it really is a community of friends that don't get to talk much but do get together. I'll send great thoughts your way in hope that you find your happy place. I've enjoyed what you've been doing and still watch the old ones. PS what your talking about is what Adam Savage has done at one time or another. Check out how he transitioned.
I had no clue about the "people quitting TH-cam" phenomena, but I have seen an increase in "make my channel more profitable". I truly appreciate the honesty you have presented here. Having run my own business, I know that the worst part is running the business!
I've suggested this recently when you asked, but I enjoy the unscripted group chats on a topic. Eg. OLF. I'd love to see a monthly panel of people just chat about a single topic/question. Different people, different topics. For example, panel of space-based youtubers/enthusiasts talking about space tourism for 30mins. Or panel of film buffs on the past or future of movies/cinemas/streaming. Could call it Friends With Joe. :) I think this would help build a community and also introduce viewers to people they never knew of.
Personally, It's your earlier stuff that hooked me. I really like it, I actually kind of find myself watching a little bit less when it's not something I see that you're super passionate about. Which is good. I think that's really admirable to have a gift like that. To enjoy something so much that you are able to make other people see how wonderful it is, especially when they would otherwise never have given a shit. You're good at that.
Regarding "homeless" ("without home-base" is a less misleading term) is a lot more common than people might think. The obvious example would be musicians (specifically those who live on the road). It's ABSOLUTELY not for everyone, but lots of people can do it.
I'm thankful for your persistence to continue making creative quality content. I especially enjoy your informative videos where you interview authors and or scientists as well as your video about types of democratic voting. Keep up the good fight!
Hey Joe, love to hear you don't want your channel to die with you and you're thinking of a plan. You know that what you're doing is bigger than you. I wish everyone with million's audience could be understanding that too and making a plan. Before that bus you mentioned appears out of nowhere... 😢 That's a thing a polite subscriber would probably never dare to ask a youtuber. Thank you.
"TH-cam WILL BLOCK VIDEOS AFTER 3 VIDEOS.." Their clampdown on adblockers- despite their success in preventing this in Smart devices (TVs etc) puts this on the doorstep of Google.
Crazy how much time I spend on TH-cam and yet how little of TH-cam I’ve been exposed to. I had not seen a single “I’m leaving TH-cam” video nor had I even heard of those two channels.
Your newsletter brought me here! I actually didn’t even realised you had a second channel before 😝 so anyway, just wanted to tell you the newsletter idea at least got you one more view on at least one video haha (I had already seen all the other videos from the month on nebula!)
I'm glad you're sticking around. : ) And your comment about knowing someone on TH-cam was the only way you got results, is exactly the same comment I've heard with other content creators. From my perspective, given the size and monetary responsibility TH-cam has to its audience and content creators, it seems like the whole company is run by juveniles on shrooms. They clearly are not treating it with the same business acumen and dedication that the content creators do, and until that divide gap is bridged and mended, the same nonsense by the handlers of TH-cam shall continue... but in the meantime, I will continue to enjoy your content and that of your collogues and peers! HAIL TO MONETIZED CONTENT! : )
I'm a big fan of democratized mass media. Challenging work, but what a great outlet. What a great way to meet people and dig into their ideas. And when you say... It's a platform you can retire from. That inspires me. Thank you for all your work. I hope you find balance.
I can relate to every thing g you have described. My career in semiconductors as an engineer was exciting, learning new things and 😮contributing to the advancement to the technology. Based on my success I was given management responsibility. That's no where near as exciting but far more demanding. But once the industry matured (2005) it was time to find a new career to reignite the excitement and desire .
Not gonna lie, I've been subscribed to you almost as long as gen alpha has been alive. When I saw the headline was Tom Scott, I still thought they meant you lol. I was relieved. You're from NTX like me, so its nice seeing your content every now and then. If you ever burn out, just look at checking in with us on major events or science based holidays or anniversaries.
I still go back and watch your oldest videos every here and there (got em saved to my favourites) if you remade some of those in a throwback/shout-out way it'd be great!
Hello, Joe. Love your channel, subscribed during lockdown when I first discovered you, great content! I'll be retiring from a factory in roughly two weeks. I spent 46 years there. In my free time, I'm a low-tier SF&F writer, a composer, an artist, and for 27 years I've run the internet's oldest free creative writing ezine. The day-job paid for all of that. I got to explore all my talents without the risk of needing to make a living off of it. I'm on one twice-weekly late-night chat show as a regular guest, and host another one. Just friends from conventions, fellow creatives, hanging out and talking. No big deal, right? But burnout is a thing that hits different people at different times to different degrees. The fellow who got me into doing shows says he's getting tired of it, but he can't give it up because he'd just sit at home being bored, plus it's a mostly-free platform for him to publicize the little convention he runs once a year. Also, not a big deal. I believe it boils down to "once having a TH-cam channel becomes a job, some of the fun evaporates away." I could be wrong, but that's how I see it. Once my retirement is official, it'll have to become more of a "being a writer is my job now" situation. That's going to be a tricky tightrope to walk because I don't want to lose the joy I get out of creating a story that people enjoy reading. That's always been the fun part of being a creative. I don't *want* to look at it as a job. Between the pension, investments, and whatnot I've built up over the years, I shouldn't need a mid-life income stream. But then again, $20 is $20, and I enjoy hawking my paperbacks at conventions, and seeing my name on the spine of a book at a bookstore or library, or knowing that someone liked my personality at a convention well enough to plunk down some of their hard-earned cash for something I've done. I've tried to see both personal rewards and monetary rewards as different parts of the same thing. I've made provisions for my magazine to outlive me, but my reward there is that I've helped over 500 new writers turn pro. I have paintings in a few private galleries across the Southern US. I have music featured on all sorts of venues online. I have books in libraries, private and public, and more on the way. I've lived a life that I've mostly enjoyed. But when something has become a *job* and all the fun has gone out of it, I can't blame anyone for wanting to explore new things. If someone is tired of the grind, they have every right to look into new options. Their original work is still there. They will still touch new viewers even if they decide to scale back or give up TH-cam. Their life, their rules, and that's the way it should be. We, as content consumers, don't have the right to tell them they can't retire--especial on their own terms. We do have the right to miss them if they walk away to pursue other interests. --Dan
Your whole video, I kept picturing you outside cutting wood with that ax while giving us this rundown. Just like: Swings ax, lands nice cut, props ax on log and puts up one leg, "So, yeah, guys, I'm not going anywhere, though things might change a bit, and some won't like that.." XD Love you, Joe!! Thanks so much!! Also, I watch all your main videos on Nebula ; )
Videos like this always remind me of The King of Random. He built up a team .... retired and died in an accident 6 months later. Its morbid but anytime a you tuber retires I always think of him.
I think people don't have to worry about all their favorite creators leaving. The ones that genuinely enjoy the subject matter of their content stick around in some form. Like Linus from LTT. He quit managing his company and just does the fun stuff now. Tom is still going to do videos in some shape or form from time to time and they're probably going to be more fun and experimental.
As with any business there are ebbs and flows. I worked retail and restaurant jobs when I was younger and both had this. Don't take the ups for granted and you'll get through the downs. That's how I see it.
That transformation from purely creative to running a business has to be a significant challenge, simply because creative types often are not process and list oriented. The success is great, but there comes a downside. And, yes, no one should be surprised if a TH-camr decides to call it quits after a decade.
I spent way too much time wondering why a large axe was sitting by the door.
I'm glad I wasn't the only one
Looks like a splitting maul.
Zombies - in case Hell gets full.
Heeeere's Johnny!
I wondered the same thing. It might be interesting for more viewers to post what they think might be Joe's reason for keeping the axe at the ready. My thought is that it's right next to the printer and available to fix paper jams.
I don't base my subscriptions on how often creators post. I base them on whether I like(d) them or not. I am not anywhere close to consistent in my viewing habits, and I don't expect creators to be consistent neither. I don't sit around Saturday morning anxiously waiting for XYZ's video to post. If creators need to scale back, more power to them, I'll still be here if they come back.
oversimplified history and ahoy are channels that publish (with luck..) 2 or 3 times a year, and they still have millions subs and get millions of views the moment those videos are publish, quality over quantity
@@esteban20969564 I miss Ahoy far more than I should.
I follow also little subscribers and enjoy their quality content as much....they also offer their services exlusivelly, only to customers that match with their energy.
because they know every customer has right to choose...but these coaches have also more time for the client.
i like how over the years Joe is slowly transforming from "Cool nerdy older brother" to "cool nerdy uncle" or "that one coworker that you smoke and play DOS games with"
NAILED IT! 🔨
I thought I'm the only one smoking DOS games 😮
joe has always been the cool nerdy uncle
As someone who plays TORG/MUD games, Joe would fit right into that niche.
The grayer I get, the more "uncle-y" I get. I'm getting close to grandpa territory.
Tom Scott gave us a ton of warning that he was going to take a break, and i liked it. Over all, he's earned what ever break he wants.
I'm going to have to check this guy out. I didn't even know quitting TH-cam was a thing. None of the channels I subscribe to quit or announced a scale back, except Hank Green (SciShow) who has had cancer.
Is that an axe behind you?!
It’s not axe, it’s bod.
Is for when the printer gets stuck.
C’mon, Joe! Inquiring minds want to know! 😅
How else do you chop up...
Was it for the psycho killer Joe Clone bit from a few videos ago?
I would like to thank "that guy." Thank you for being the inspiration that made this channel a thing!
2:50 about that "homeless" situation. I used to work as a truck driver across Europe, working in system 12 working days - 2 days off. I survived about a year like that. I didn't rent a flat, didn't have my own place... Literally stayed in a hotel and then went back to work. After about 8 months my mind started to break. After another 3 months my body started to break, and at that point I decided to quit my job, and found myself a place to stay in...
I can't imagine someone living like that for years...
Wow, I traveled for work for 3 weeks and it broke me. I'm impressed. I agree though, it's exhausting to always be on the move. I'm happy for you that you found your way back to some roots. 😊
I had to do a measly six weeks of constant travel for work once and I was starting to disassociate. Cannot imagine a year, humans are not meant to be on the move that much.
Yeah, I couldn't do it.
I lived in the mountains of Eastern Afghanistan for 10 months. We lived at Fob Salerno, the OCCP ( an observation post on a hill that the British had built a castle on when they were there) and we lived at a COP called Gurbuz. Living as a vagabond is not fun. At any time in the infantry you can be told to pack your stuff up and we are moving. There was a 4 month train up for that mission too, during which we moved locations at least 4 times. We trained at Atturburry in Indiana, Knox and Shelby. And each time we moved around and lived in simulated outposts.
I worked for an East Coast moving company for a year in my 20s. 7-12 days on, and 1-3 days off, depending on the distance. While it was fun in the beginning, I got tired of living out of corner stores, motels, and McDonald's real quick... The pay was great, but the toll it took wasn't worth it.
As a very, very, very, very smalltime creator, I know exactly what you mean by the "that one guy is my audience" feeling... it's amazing how much a tiny bit of the RIGHT KIND of positive feedback can help.
I am very professionally fascinated by the business of TH-cam...
I am always surprised that folks can become big enough to hire people and rely on that income... Just amazing...
I know, right? To me, the level of difficulty and depending on the fickleness of viewers to keep your numbers up....whew! Scary stuff. And the mystery of how TH-cam pays out couldn't be more opaque.
Anyway...as a guy who makes lighting the last 30 years, I'm amazed by the differences in our respective fields. I am the first and last word in my business. Thank God! However, TH-cam's A.I. algorithm cannot be appealed to. Copyright Strikes? Age Restrictions? Random and unexplained de-monetization??? Screw them! (whoever "they" are). That would drive me wild. I'll stick with my old fashioned, " made by hand" business.
People were like, "you should start a TH-cam channel" about my travel and hiking. Nah bruh. That always sounded like work
Love the talking shop. As an outsider it is fun to hear about the business that is TH-cam.
I have a huge amount of respect for creators like yourself, Tom, and MatPat, etc. You produced stuff that has real value. Knowledge.
Joe, glad to hear you're not going to quit. I'm that guy you're making videos for... at least one of them. After 31 years in the creative business I'm happy and grateful for my choice in career. It is a blessing. Remember that feeling when you're tank is running low, because like you said it would be hard to start working in another field (all of a sudden... ). But I've also felt that any job can be done creatively. Love your channel and enjoy all the content (including the Roman thing... LOL.)
Awww, I thought you could resist...
It's alright, you had to do it.
One thing, though: Tom Scott said in a video over a year ago that he was only going to be making his weekly videos for about another year, and then he was going to focus on other things.
I think one of the big positives about big TH-camrs quitting that a lot of people overlook is that they're creating room for new creators to come in, fill the void, and get their own chance to grow into a place where maybe they can retire someday as well. I'm actually glad to see some of the bigger gaming channels starting to scale back because it gives me a bit more hope that maybe I can carve out my own share of the new volume of attention that will be out there as the big channels potentially produce less and less content. If I'm already starting to grow a bit now, it can only get better with fewer big competitors out there. Seems like a good thing all around, even for the viewers, as it will encourage them to find someone new to watch!
I was watching a video recently where TH-camr mentioned that they had missed their annual “first of the year time off” due to releasing a book. Taking a break after the holidays had always been a thing for that TH-camr. It’s part of how they keep going. And now they are taking that time off.
That said, after a time of doing a thing, sometimes you just need to do something else. Good on those TH-camrs who can actually do that. Maybe they will return invigorated with fresh new content. Maybe not. Either way, it’s their life to live.
You're welcome.... I was "that guy" almost 10 years ago that commented how much I liked and looked forward to your content... I trust the check is in the mail. 😂
Your narrative stuff is always super fun and well written.
You have always been a fun and positive dude (we appreciate you, and you are a funny guy).
Also glad to know the content will keep coming.
Even when you retire, we want you to appear every so often in videos (your audience cares about you as a person and will want to know you are happy in your retirement).
Anyway, your content before you had a big team helping was always good (no offense to your team because they also are amazing).
We salute you partner. I'm south carolinian but God bless Texas and God bless you good sir.
Thank you for being a voice of reason in the TH-cam wilderness. Also you have always been candid about how you do things and why and how it's had to change over time. This is something we can all take lessons from, even a boring middle aged public servant like myself. Thank you.
You too?
I've watched Tom Scott for a while. I'm pretty sure he hasn't "quit TH-cam". My understanding is that he's got off the wheel of making weekly youtube videos after ten years. He seems to be pausing but seemed to say he may well do more youtube videos as and when he wants to. In short it sounds like a substantial change in scheduling rather than stopping altogether and leaving the platform.
More like a mechanic quitting his job and doing fun repair work in the side when (s)he wants. Not really quitting, just a change of pace.
@@JoshuaTootellThis may be the most accurate take on all of this. I hope everyone sees this comment.
Ends the video with "Peace, I'll talk to you guys later" instead of "Love you guys, take care". Axe in the background. This was one of the clones who went rogue.
I cannot tell you how glade I am that you and other content creators are here. You all
make my mornings. I’ll keep watching as long as you keep posting.❤
I still remember you announcing your full time job was now TH-cam!
You seemed nervous about it but it was clear it was your vocation in life.
Glad you still enjoy it.
BTW I do like the creative things.
All the skits are brilliant, so I look forwards to some of your creative endeavor coming out.
Oh yes, it you go get a guest host, please please do a long intro skit where you go crazy and create a new version of yourself and it takes on a life of its own. ("me, myself, I and who the fu** are you?!")
That would be a great way to introduce someone else to the show! :D
There are some TH-camrs I watch who have a quite narrow focus, like minimalism/decluttering/simple living that I'm looking at right now, and lots of them I end up unsubscribing from, because the more they post the more they repeat themselves. I'd rather have a one video a month from them that said something new, than once a week saying the same things over and over.
So I'm probably more likely to stop subbing to a channel that posts a lot than one that posts more irregularly but is worth waiting for. Someone in the latter category I'll probably put notifications on for. The first thing I'll usually check on opening TH-cam is my subscriptions tab.
I so needed to hear this very message today. Thank you.
Thank you for your honesty & hard work, both for this video & over the years! You are appreciated!
Thanks dude I appreciate you for all you do and I'm with ya through the changes!
I started a business 20 years ago, and its still about the same size now as it was when I started it. That was by design... it is my passion.... and I never wanted it to grow to the point where I had employees that would have to depend on me. In other words; I never wanted to work that hard... and I always was able to keep it as a "work of love".
I've been watching you for probably around five years. I just wanted to say that I appreciate you, and I appreciate your evolution over the years I've been watching. I think you've got a great mind and heart (not to sound too sappy) whatever you do, I'll watch.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about your career. Your honesty is very much appreciated.
I love your videos! I found your channel about 3 years ago and binged your stuff for that first year. I even rewatch your stuff from time to time since I'm all caught up and really enjoy your content. You could make a video about anything and I'd watch it, you always make learning new things fun! Thanks for sticking around ❤
Unlike a few other videos I have watched on this topic, yours was very pointed, helpful and as usual very informative and relevant
Never quit, Joe. I cherish the time ive have learning from you.
thank you for this heads up. my channel is growing, but slowly. and i needed to hear this. to know what to expect, is so helpful to plan for. thank you!
Thank you, Joe!
this is a phenomenal video for anyone wanting to either start OR end their youtube thing.
As a creator who is expanding and building a team... yeah i needed to hear this lol
Please don't quit Joe! Yours is litterally my favorite channel and I look forward to every Monday. Sometimes I even wait up for it.
Btw nice ax. I recognize it from the predator clone skit.
Brilliant points all, your perspective and honesty is much appreciated.
I've thought this whole thing is weird. If people want to quit then quit, that's fine. People change jobs all the time. TV shows get cancelled. Entertainment changes. Someone else will take over, the world will keep turning. I don't care. TH-camrs aren't our friends, they don't know you. It's a business.
Fun to hang out, as always, Joe. Wishing you the best life.
Been watching you since 2016. I have had so much fun and learned so much. You are truly a master at the art of delivering the points you are trying to get across. I remember the first video I saw of yours was the “Is there a god”.
I totally agreed with you on the "Old times making videos with friends".
I see when we start the need the money from sponsors just to live, is when we start to feel tired and the creative process becames more and more industrial.
I wish that TH-cam pays more just with the ad rolls, to give us more confort to focus our time on the content and not the sponsors deals.
You have made me smarter. Please don’t quit and keep up the good work
It would be cool if the guy’s still watching 10 years later
Your recent Quipu video has been my favorite so far. I loved the hands on visuals. As someone who does a lot of weaving and is obsessed with indigenous and Hispanic cultures, it was fun to watch and totally in my interest zone.
I also love how your audio and visuals have improved in the last year or so. Keep up the good work Joe! 🎉
I so much love your work. Keep it up
Tom Scott a year ago made a video where he was looking for a last batch of suggestions for stories for the fall, and that he'd stop at the 10-year mark. If anyone was surprised, they simply missed that video.
Now this is by far one of you’re best TMIv videos yet. I have been watching you and Steve Lehto videos for many, many years now. You both went from having yourselves doing everything to having teams, reaching new milestones, going through changes, branching out into realms of television content, etc. I knew it could not be as easy as just pointing and shooting as well as writing up content and just getting it shot. I also see first hand how many bloopers get made (it never occurred to me wonder if some are removed, but do you put up all your bloopers?
I’m getting a behind-the-scenes look into what it really is to be a TH-cam creator. You even touched briefly about how difficult it is ti begin monetizing on it. I’m sure it is a tiny amount of money, and be the time you see any, have you been doing weekly content for two years, five years, ten? I don’t know, either, if one must sign up to monetize (I and my husband have been watching TH-cam before any monetizing was really happening), and do you pick from choices?
Such as:
I do my own sponsored adverts
TH-cam will do one advert in the begin, before my video plays
TH-cam will do x numbers of adverts based on content over X minutes
Now it doesn’t now how frequently you put up new content or not. It’s monetized whether you like it or not. As the Channel owner and creator (although not ever channel is not structured that way), it is important to stay within the TH-cam Guidelines to continue being monetized.No adverts, please, that talk about the Corona Virus. That is a strange one. I am fully aware of groups of content who only provide fear-mongering falsehoods about all manner of things that play on people’s fears: Betelgeuse, Pluto crashing into Neptune, Atlantis with inhabitants that want to kill us, the Coronavirus will kill us all…I’m sure Coronavirus will continue to spawn all kinds of falsehoods just once it’s out there and thanks to a few truly misguided politicians who made a vaccine something be a afraid of. That isn’t TH-cam’s fault. But it has to keep some kind of order to how these things work with in our world.
TH-cam and neither do I, do not know how make it safe to mention the “coronavirus” so that you aren’t spreading “doom an’ gloom” about it, as opposed to just giving what little information little there was four years about it. In this manner of how they did it, one had to git it a moniker that made it innocuous, as though were some new kind of food, more often than not. Roni, Rona, the plague (not to be confused with the Black Plague), covir, etc. I doubt it went over too many heads. I guess the main goal was to put the active fear-mongering folks on simmer, but it is too bad there is not some way to combat the fear-mongering, the hate-mongering…I hate it all.
And I have somewhat wondered. But I know I am curious about the TH-cam rules work with the majority of content providers who pure want to relay good, honest, bipartisan information for any in need to know it. That’s a very big deal. I’m also wondering if TH-cam clearly sent a message to every content creator telling them saying or alluding to the Coronavirus-19 is a no-no, did they send anyone the news that you may say it is it is named? I ask as it was slowly and sometimes haltingly reintroduced to our Norma speech. I still hear “roni” applied.okay it’s morning I and I must get up. But I know right where I am in this TMI video (12:22), so I will return to it and all the fun facts you popped in.
Thank you, Joe and your crack team!
Aislínge and Luis
It’s always cathartic to have a rant about the boss, especially when your boss is an algorithm
Thank you... this was such an honest yet relatable perspective.
To be fair on Tom Scott's yt retirement, he did make a specific video announcing his intention over a year ago and how he was going to make X number of new videos for a year to the day and that's it for him.
Keep up the great videos. I for one love them and look forward to them.
PS - Need an update on the clones.
This is the first I heard same day you uploaded. Awesome integrity, okay time to listen
I love that guy you started making videos for and yes you are right I do watch your channel for your personality. Thank you for your dedication and hard work.
great and insightful video, thanks Joe!
Your main channel was the first channel I ever subscribed to, I think it was around 8 years ago. Glad your gonna stick around!
Hi Joe, I'm glad you're not going anywhere. I enjoy your content, some of it is over my head, but it is still interesting to me. Your laid back, casual approach and talk is actually very relaxing, but also makes me think. I had not heard the "people leaving Yoube" before, and was surprised. But your explanation took care of that. On the other hand, I can see why, after some years, it will take a toll. Around 2007 I had created a channel about Gardening, of which I am totally OCD about. Gardening, not the channel. This was before monetization was a thing, (I think) and before they would block videos that used copyright music, which was all I used. I only posted about 10 videos, comic, how to vids and I enjoyed it and continued for a few years. But it eventually got to be a chore I didn't enjoy as much. I didn't do enough work as far as far as content, just those few, and they got likes and comments, mostly positive. If I had done more work, began becoming more sucessful with it to the point I would have to hire others to help, I would have hated it. I'm not a manager, even though I was one in a retail nursery for many years. I'm too soft and just not good at it. Much better by myself. I have thought of making another channel on gardening, this time following YT's rules and such, for some extra income in my old age. But after watching this video, have decided, Nah. I don't want to be tied down to anything to that extent. Not that it would be so sucessful I'd be spending my dotage making videos and commanding employees. I have a part time job, am my own boss, doing what I love doing and have been doing for 30 years, have 5000+ sq feet of perennial gardens and have life pretty much the way I like and enjoy it. But I still get the urge now and then to create, impart knowledge, make it funny and video it. Only time will tell. Thanks for all the information you impart and look forward to seeing more of your videos. Sorry this is so long winded, but hey! Thats me, long winded Bill!😀
Good luck with the new ideas and growing the channel.
Hi! I’m here for you and your personality! And I have been for years. You were actually the first person on TH-cam that I followed regularly and officially subscribed to. It’s not egotistical to acknowledge that you have legit fans.
It's very interesting to hear your inside scoop. I do believe though that TH-cam could change their algorithm to make it a little easier for creative production. It seems the less often or random videos are produced the less those creators get noticed.
I so appreciate you. You've been wonderful over the years showing us a bit behind the curtain. At around 11:00 minutes OMG - getting excitement along with the vision downloaded to another person. Its not even possible I don't think...I believe the only way is through simply showing your excitement and drag them along. Its otherwise a job.
You have great insight and instincts. I actually put you and Tom Scott in the same category which I'm not sure how to describe. I would very much miss seeing your ramblings. From this side it really is a community of friends that don't get to talk much but do get together.
I'll send great thoughts your way in hope that you find your happy place. I've enjoyed what you've been doing and still watch the old ones.
PS what your talking about is what Adam Savage has done at one time or another. Check out how he transitioned.
I had no clue about the "people quitting TH-cam" phenomena, but I have seen an increase in "make my channel more profitable". I truly appreciate the honesty you have presented here. Having run my own business, I know that the worst part is running the business!
I've suggested this recently when you asked, but I enjoy the unscripted group chats on a topic. Eg. OLF. I'd love to see a monthly panel of people just chat about a single topic/question. Different people, different topics. For example, panel of space-based youtubers/enthusiasts talking about space tourism for 30mins. Or panel of film buffs on the past or future of movies/cinemas/streaming. Could call it Friends With Joe. :) I think this would help build a community and also introduce viewers to people they never knew of.
Personally, It's your earlier stuff that hooked me. I really like it, I actually kind of find myself watching a little bit less when it's not something I see that you're super passionate about. Which is good. I think that's really admirable to have a gift like that. To enjoy something so much that you are able to make other people see how wonderful it is, especially when they would otherwise never have given a shit. You're good at that.
Joe, that was a really honest and profound video. Loved it. Keep that spirit up.
Regarding "homeless" ("without home-base" is a less misleading term) is a lot more common than people might think. The obvious example would be musicians (specifically those who live on the road). It's ABSOLUTELY not for everyone, but lots of people can do it.
I'll always watch your content ❤❤
Sending love 😊
I'm thankful for your persistence to continue making creative quality content. I especially enjoy your informative videos where you interview authors and or scientists as well as your video about types of democratic voting. Keep up the good fight!
Hey Joe, love to hear you don't want your channel to die with you and you're thinking of a plan. You know that what you're doing is bigger than you. I wish everyone with million's audience could be understanding that too and making a plan. Before that bus you mentioned appears out of nowhere... 😢 That's a thing a polite subscriber would probably never dare to ask a youtuber. Thank you.
Thank you for your insight
I wonder if Tom Scott gets called, "Scott."
Keep up the good work, Scott.
"TH-cam WILL BLOCK VIDEOS AFTER 3 VIDEOS.."
Their clampdown on adblockers- despite their success in preventing this in Smart devices (TVs etc) puts this on the doorstep of Google.
We always enjoy your vids Joe! Like the random axe in the background too....
This is my time to shine. I’m trying to build my channel now am keen to see a changing of the guard.
These casual chat videos are bangers... Interesting take on the YT thing too... cheers
I guess I don't spend enough time on TH-cam because 1) I have no idea who these people are, and 2) I haven't heard about this mini-exodus either. 😂
Crazy how much time I spend on TH-cam and yet how little of TH-cam I’ve been exposed to. I had not seen a single “I’m leaving TH-cam” video nor had I even heard of those two channels.
Your newsletter brought me here! I actually didn’t even realised you had a second channel before 😝 so anyway, just wanted to tell you the newsletter idea at least got you one more view on at least one video haha (I had already seen all the other videos from the month on nebula!)
I'm glad you're sticking around. : )
And your comment about knowing someone on TH-cam was the only way you got results, is exactly the same comment I've heard with other content creators. From my perspective, given the size and monetary responsibility TH-cam has to its audience and content creators, it seems like the whole company is run by juveniles on shrooms. They clearly are not treating it with the same business acumen and dedication that the content creators do, and until that divide gap is bridged and mended, the same nonsense by the handlers of TH-cam shall continue... but in the meantime, I will continue to enjoy your content and that of your collogues and peers!
HAIL TO MONETIZED CONTENT!
: )
I'm a big fan of democratized mass media. Challenging work, but what a great outlet. What a great way to meet people and dig into their ideas. And when you say... It's a platform you can retire from. That inspires me. Thank you for all your work. I hope you find balance.
I can relate to every thing g you have described. My career in semiconductors as an engineer was exciting, learning new things and 😮contributing to the advancement to the technology. Based on my success I was given management responsibility. That's no where near as exciting but far more demanding. But once the industry matured (2005) it was time to find a new career to reignite the excitement and desire .
Not gonna lie, I've been subscribed to you almost as long as gen alpha has been alive. When I saw the headline was Tom Scott, I still thought they meant you lol. I was relieved. You're from NTX like me, so its nice seeing your content every now and then. If you ever burn out, just look at checking in with us on major events or science based holidays or anniversaries.
I'm 100% here for your personality and humor. Quiet those voices, dear friend.
I still go back and watch your oldest videos every here and there (got em saved to my favourites) if you remade some of those in a throwback/shout-out way it'd be great!
Hello, Joe. Love your channel, subscribed during lockdown when I first discovered you, great content! I'll be retiring from a factory in roughly two weeks. I spent 46 years there. In my free time, I'm a low-tier SF&F writer, a composer, an artist, and for 27 years I've run the internet's oldest free creative writing ezine. The day-job paid for all of that. I got to explore all my talents without the risk of needing to make a living off of it. I'm on one twice-weekly late-night chat show as a regular guest, and host another one. Just friends from conventions, fellow creatives, hanging out and talking. No big deal, right? But burnout is a thing that hits different people at different times to different degrees. The fellow who got me into doing shows says he's getting tired of it, but he can't give it up because he'd just sit at home being bored, plus it's a mostly-free platform for him to publicize the little convention he runs once a year. Also, not a big deal. I believe it boils down to "once having a TH-cam channel becomes a job, some of the fun evaporates away." I could be wrong, but that's how I see it. Once my retirement is official, it'll have to become more of a "being a writer is my job now" situation. That's going to be a tricky tightrope to walk because I don't want to lose the joy I get out of creating a story that people enjoy reading. That's always been the fun part of being a creative. I don't *want* to look at it as a job. Between the pension, investments, and whatnot I've built up over the years, I shouldn't need a mid-life income stream. But then again, $20 is $20, and I enjoy hawking my paperbacks at conventions, and seeing my name on the spine of a book at a bookstore or library, or knowing that someone liked my personality at a convention well enough to plunk down some of their hard-earned cash for something I've done. I've tried to see both personal rewards and monetary rewards as different parts of the same thing. I've made provisions for my magazine to outlive me, but my reward there is that I've helped over 500 new writers turn pro. I have paintings in a few private galleries across the Southern US. I have music featured on all sorts of venues online. I have books in libraries, private and public, and more on the way. I've lived a life that I've mostly enjoyed. But when something has become a *job* and all the fun has gone out of it, I can't blame anyone for wanting to explore new things. If someone is tired of the grind, they have every right to look into new options. Their original work is still there. They will still touch new viewers even if they decide to scale back or give up TH-cam. Their life, their rules, and that's the way it should be. We, as content consumers, don't have the right to tell them they can't retire--especial on their own terms. We do have the right to miss them if they walk away to pursue other interests. --Dan
Everyone is tired of their boss, even the self employed.
Please don't quit, yours is one of like three channels that keep me on this godforsaken platform, you make wonderful stuff and you'd be missed dearly
I'm still recovering from losing Ask Charlie a decade or more ago. Loved that guinea pig.
I'm here for you AND your content
Very well said. As a former executive who came up through the ranks delegation is definitely one of the hardest things I had to learn.
Your whole video, I kept picturing you outside cutting wood with that ax while giving us this rundown. Just like: Swings ax, lands nice cut, props ax on log and puts up one leg, "So, yeah, guys, I'm not going anywhere, though things might change a bit, and some won't like that.." XD
Love you, Joe!! Thanks so much!!
Also, I watch all your main videos on Nebula ; )
Videos like this always remind me of The King of Random.
He built up a team .... retired and died in an accident 6 months later.
Its morbid but anytime a you tuber retires I always think of him.
It’s like when your favorite band parties to death… we miss them, but we move on and love some more.
Nice axe, bro ........!
"TH-cam is fine...it's going to keep doing what it does." (Sounds like the whole thing in a nutshell, lol - this video was an excellent explainer.)
I think people don't have to worry about all their favorite creators leaving. The ones that genuinely enjoy the subject matter of their content stick around in some form. Like Linus from LTT. He quit managing his company and just does the fun stuff now. Tom is still going to do videos in some shape or form from time to time and they're probably going to be more fun and experimental.
Very glad to have this update about tom Scott. I didn't know he is also peripatetic. Always did feel uncomfortable about his future on TH-cam.
As with any business there are ebbs and flows. I worked retail and restaurant jobs when I was younger and both had this. Don't take the ups for granted and you'll get through the downs. That's how I see it.
That transformation from purely creative to running a business has to be a significant challenge, simply because creative types often are not process and list oriented. The success is great, but there comes a downside. And, yes, no one should be surprised if a TH-camr decides to call it quits after a decade.
I saw the axe in the back round and thought “Here’s Joey!”