I don't think I can keep doing this.
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2024
- This can't go on. Right now my job is not sustainable, and I need to change things.
You can support the channel by becoming a patron at / simonoxfphys
My course on making videos: nebula.tv/turn-data-into-stories
My podcast: pod.link/1705403433
As I hopefully convey in the video, right now things are tough. Not just for me, but across the educational sphere online. But in my case specifically the events of last year have meant that I am in an untenable position. I value this job and the opportunities it affords me too highly to simply walk away. But as I say in the video, this is the last opportunity I may get to turn things around.
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More about me www.simonoxfphys.com/
My second channel - / simonclarkerrata
Threads - www.threads.net/@simonoxfphys
Instagram - / simonoxfphys
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Huge thanks to my supporters on Patreon: Piet Braat, Glen Monks, Artem, Sylvus , Florian Thie, Daniel Chen, Gary Stark, Martina Alini, Vernon Swanepoel, Adam Scott, Felix Winkler, CC, Thomas Charbonnel, Mark Moore, Philipp Legner, Zoey O'Neill, Heijde, Paul H and Linda L, Marcus Bosshard, Dan Sherman, Matthew Powell, Adrian Sand, Dan Nelson, The Cairene on Caffeine, Cody VanZandt, Igor Francetic, Daniel Irwin, bitreign33 , Thusto , Andy Hartley, Lachlan Woods, Dan Hanvey, Andrea De Mezzo.
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No matter what happens, if you reach an 'end' with TH-cam just remember that you haven't failed. Everything is temporary. But you've done good work here and made a real, positive impact. That's all any of us can hope for.
And yet 99% of his viewers aren't even plant based - the easiest and most impactful change pollution conscience people could make.
found the vegan
@@planetvegan7843 well, i don't know how many we are, but i'm vegan too, i wouldn't assume the proportion among people concerned enough about the climate to watch this, is the same as in the general population.
@@planetvegan7843 Why are you replying to my comment? Did you mean to comment on the video, instead? This is a total non-sequitur to my comment. lol
Gabriel - watch some videos where vegans go to climate protests and ask if people are plant based.
This is such a shame. Your video on the century we saved earth was one of the most important videos I've ever seen.
Same
It was amazing - it was compelling and easy to understand - he deserves a bigger platform
The century we saved earth was phenomenal! Your work has always been inspiring. I'm sure we'll see more of your work long into the future whether you remain successful on TH-cam or transition to a different career...
Its more a shame that people living dont listen it sounds like hes slipping into that shame more
I totally agree.
Ironically, this video being pushed on my feed is how I have come upon your channel.
I've only watched the one video so far, but I'm looking forward to going through your backlog. I appreciate your transparency!
I hope the tides will turn for you!
Same thing here, the algorithm pushed this video into my feed. Not sure why I haven’t been recommended sooner as I’m already subscribed to a bunch of climate-related channels, but I’m happy to have found this one to add to the list 😊
Same! Maybe there's hope
This video has been pushed to my feed multiple times per day now. For me the reason I haven't watched the videos that did poorly is honestly because the thumbnails and title just didn't speak to me enough.
P.s. At first I also didn't click on this one was because I thought it was yet another TH-camr saying goodbye.
same here
Ok, I know you said you weren’t asking for help, but I’m gonna try anyway because I really like your channel and honest humble presentation - that’s rare and special and we need more of it, not less!
1. Despite being a long time subscriber, I never get notified about new videos from you. The algorithm is definitely part of the problem.
2. I think the downward trend has a lot to do with what I call ‘doom fatigue’. It’s that feeling that ‘oh no, I knew it was bad, but this is worse, again!’. After a while people just want to ignore bad news. It becomes too hard to process. The other side of that, of course, is that if we don’t learn what’s going wrong, and think about the likely consequences, there’s no chance of building momentum to do anything about it, so difficult as it is, what you do is absolutely a necessary part of the process.
So, those two are the main reasons for less views, IMHO. How can you change this?
1. Do more (possibly shorter) videos on climate crisis solutions. Shed light on the ways (even theoretical ones) that can be used to mitigate the crisis. Cover the technological and societal ideas that could lead us in the right direction. Explain how they could work, what problem they’re trying to solve, how this contributes to robust climate management and what other benefits they might have.
2. Highlight and give background on organisations and individuals who are working on both sides - climate research and climate crisis mitigation. These are always so interesting, and it’s always really heartwarming to hear about people who are working for a positive future, whether that’s warning of the dangers we face or trying to actively avert those dangers. I know you’ve done some of this before, but you’ve only scratched the surface really. I for one would be interested to hear more.
3. Don’t be afraid of a little clickbait. I know commenters sometimes look down on this, but really, it’s fine. Having an intriguing or unintuitive ‘hook’ into something deeper is something that’s used in every successful book, movie, song, poem, has used since time immemorial. The only bad form of clickbait is when you use a scandalous title or thumbnail and then make no reference to it in the video - that’s just annoying. Clickbait that’s presenting a common view that’s actually wrong or misunderstood however, and then using the video to explain the reality behind it is interesting, and garners the attention of exactly the people who need to understand that reality, along with others who wondered whether it was true or not and want to find out.
Sorry for the long comment, and I know you’ve done some of these things already, but I would like to see more from you.
Good luck and I sincerely hope it works out for you. ❤
The algorithm IS definitely part of the problem. It saddens me immensely to see all these creators bashing themselves for having lower views in the last year and a half. We ALL experienced it in the same time span: it's not a coincidence.
Now that you mentioned it. I noticed that a lot of channels that I follow (educational) have been making community polls about their content. Like, a lot, since TH-cam started promoting the community stuff...
Yes it works!!!
Yeah this is probably it, since everything like community polls, shorts and community posts all in some way feed the youtube algorithm
@@Mahons The only video that went viral on my channel went viral last year when I used to upload posts to the community tab like maths quizzes... I suggest uploading community posts to get in touch with your audience.
Kyle Hill big time
This is really sad. That a TH-camrs with 500k+ followers who is providing such important content may be forced to give up. Whatever happens know that we value you very much, and we are rooting for you.
he just isn't as entertaining as others. Climate Town channel talks about the same subject, but does it in a hilarious way. No one is forcing him, he just failed at attracting views for whatever reason.
As much as I like Climate Town, and other similar programmes, I don't like those silly pop-ups, etc. Perhaps it's the way things are now, but I do like a good, informative style without silly distractions. Perhaps I'm old fashioned that way.
If he was truly as valued as you say, he wouldn't be forced to give up.
subs mean literally nothing xd. views do. 18k on the last few vids when he has 500k subs? thats incredibly bad. man needs to go get a real job to support his family.
@@talananiyiyaya8912 Economic viability is not the same thing as value.
I've been intermittently viewing your videos for a really long time man, maybe since, like, 2015? The first time I saw one, I was a kid who hadn't been trying very hard in school; you were one of the first people I watched when I got into science and maths and decided to change that.
I eventually applied to Oxford and narrowly missed out after interview, your videos were part of helping me feel comfortable doing that and applying to other top universities. I'm a PhD student in Algebraic Geometry now, and I'm really happy with where I've ended up. It's impossible for me to really quantify how much of an influence you were to me back then, but I'm certainly much happier for having had those videos. I wish you, your channel, and your family all the best!
Hey Simon, occasional viewer here. What you do is important and extremely useful. My hope for you for the next few months is that you build up some steam and get to that 50k viewers per video milestone. I am subscribing and will support you as the broke uni student I am.
Best of luck!
This guys videos are pretty boring and useless, hot take but for real.
Everyone knows climate change is happening bro.
@@Monkehrawrrrnot everyone! I have been in a different videos comment section before, and boy they know sh*t
This guy is just not earning as munch money wants. he’s still earning a good amount. just needs a job to supplement his youtube hobby
Ive watched a ton of videos about climate change. These aren’t that CC is happening, it’s how and why. There’s a ton of careful nuance in these not in the general conversation.
@@muvdetta How and why? Let me answer both with 1 word...
Capitalism
I don't comment much, but I've been a long-time watcher of this channel. Simon, you are a great communicator of science and I am always grateful for the videos you put up. Thank you for your dedication to this channel. I did notice that youtube would only recommend me videos related to what I've *recently* watched, so if I've been watching unrelated videos and haven't been browsing the science channels I've subscribed to (such as this one, PBS space time, etc.), youtube would kind of forget to recommend me new videos from the science side of youtube. It's the same for other topics I regularly peruse.
But I still love what you do. I even bought your book; it was a great read! And so I, and many others, will still be here when you pivot. The internet hustle is hard, but I hope you'll find something that works out for you. The videos you create are important in this information age, and it would be a shame to see them stop.
I don't really check patreon often, but I upgraded my membership; it's not a lot, but I hope it helps out even a little. Good luck!
I’d definitely second this, it really seems difficult to have a diverse home page on TH-cam these days since it really does hone in on one thing at a time which has been very frustrating.
PocketTube *cough*
For mobile I just make brand channels with the name for every major genre I love watching and switch between them. Doesn't require another email for each of them, so it's been really convenient
The worst part of all of these great content creators struggling is that the misinformation spreaders aren't. It's terrible that this isn't sustainable for you right now Simon but, I greatly appreciate all you've given us so far and can't fault you one bit for trying to mix things up and do what's needed for you and your family.
Best of luck, I'll be waiting patiently to see how you pivot in the next few months, and again (regardless of how the next few months go) thank you.
Trust me me everyone on TH-cam is suffering, it’s just the misinformers don’t make most of their money off this platform.
You've been one of my favourite TH-camrs, and I'm grateful for all of your amazing and important content! I'm glad you're being open with us and will continue to put up a fight.
If it helps, and I know there are hundreds of comments of advice, I'd like to share my thoughts. On the off chance it does help, I'd very much appreciate continuing to see your content on here!
Me:
-I watch a few hours of TH-cam a day. With YT Premium I download videos in the morning and play the audio throughout the day when I get a chance to squeeze a video in.
- I'm interested in science and tech, and a few other random things on TH-cam.
- All of your videos come up on my feed. No idea what has happened to other people's feeds.
- Video lengths mean different ways I consume videos. Short and visual (DDOE) I can watch while getting dressed, for instance; Medium is great for breaks between tasks, such as driving between clients (again, audio only); long is usually casted to a TV while I peddle an exercise bike.
What I've noticed from other TH-camrs:
- frequent news videos seem to work (Astrophysicist Beck)
- Multiple Channel's - but that's more in the tech space
- Consolidating channels - such as Sci show and their previous channels like psych
- Pushes to establish and grow a community
My thoughts:
- Frequency makes a huge difference. Across TH-cam I believe I see the most success when creators post to a schedule. Set a frequency and try to stick to it. It can be hard, so I'd suggest being realistic, but I would pick a frequency and stick to it.
- Following above, something is better than perfect. I'd so much rather see low effort but a 'friend' I see regularly than a high effort 'professional' I rarely see.
- Investigate sharing news - share your thoughts on what it actually means. Not just big stuff every few months, but weekly. Again, it doesn't have to be high budget or professional.
- Think of us as friends, as you feel like one to us. Then focus on building a community for us to hangout. Not necessarily using other platforms or social media (I personally wouldn't engage with off-platform things), but in creating a feeling of being in a community. I think that's why community voting is so important. It makes viewers feel like they're a part of the community.
- Consider video length. Perhaps your next poll? I really really enjoy the longer videos, but I'd rather see more 5-10 minute videos regularly and 1 long video every few months than somewhat regular longer videos.
- Continue to be candid and open. With the ups and downs of life, with the business, and with the quality of your videos/ trying new things. I think you had a lot of people drawn to your candidness which became closer to professionalism. Take us along for the journey with you (Tom Scott).
- Accordingly, experiment with different quality levels and different things. It will take a few months to see a difference, but trial things. I believe I've made it clear, but frequent shorter and lower quality videos are perhaps a good place to start. They can be 100% on the 'content' (Minute science channels) or well less than 50% with the rest being random thoughts and opinions or stories (Space Talk).
Final thoughts:
- I hope you feel proud for what you've achieved on here, it is incredible.
- Put yourself and your family first. Honestly, I'd rather know you're all doing okay and not making videos than the other way around.
- I wholeheartedly hope things go well. I hope this is a turning point, and in a few months we'll get an update video.
- Regardless of what happens, thank you for being awesome. You're an inspiration and I very much appreciate all of your engaging and important content. Thank you!
This
Oh look, he’s another youtube who is begging poorer people for money. sad looking. thumbnail, check. Saying they do his anymore, check. can’t accept that youtube will never be a full time time, check. he’s getting no money from me. this is happening all the time now. get a job simon
Sometimes it feels like we're going through our lives shoulder to shoulder. I was working on my PhD while you were vlogging about yours, trying to sort out my mental health while you opened up about yours, and now I'm trying to forge a viable career that uses my skills to help biodiversity conservation (intertwined with climate change!) while balancing life's equations. I don't have as much time as I once did to watch TH-cam, but the videos you make have always struck a chord with me. I'm rooting for you! If you can do it, maybe all of us out here can figure it out too.
I've noticed this trend in your channel for a while and I feared this day would come. Sad to see how the internet is rotting every day and it's users getting dumber and dumber. It's content creators like Simon that should be at the top of this platform.
You've been my internet mentor. Thanks to you, now I'm a full-time researcher and loving every moment of it.
Your situation is 100% understandable. I've always loved your genuineness and taking time off for yourself when you needed it. Those were healthy TH-camr traits. Thanks for giving YT another chance.
Looking forward to new videos. Hoping for the best 🤞
Platform enshitification. Platforms start out as good ideas which do well for their creators & users alike. Over time, creators' & users' experience is sacrificed bit by bit in the name of shareholder profits. Eventually the platform is wrung for all its worth & even shareholder "earnings" decline.
For a service initially made to share information (the internet) it's really a shame that it has atrophied to just follow what people want to watch. Though, I fully understand why. I hope for a good roll of the dice. Time to face the coming storm.
It's cheap to call people dumb. What good is it to you to understand the crisis, and see your leaders do nothing about it? What good is it to understand the science, when you know that the system will not solve the problem? Those who can solve it, don't have to. They will have a good life, even in 100 years, when billions die. They don't care about poor people. They don't care about you. The more we see that, the more the apathy grows.
@@xellos5262 Don't forget that climate change is still a very divisive topic (for some reason....), I think Simons videos are still incredibly important in the overall discussion, as the number of climate change deniers, who have no idea how the science works, just seem to increase. There are many people who are indeed legitimately dumb when it comes to this topic.
@@xellos5262The more we know, the better equipped we are to force our leaders to do something about it. Also, it helps to know so that we can do something to weather to coming issues.
I can only speak for myself, but I've been pretty despairing about climate change in recent years and have mostly been trying to avoid doom scrolling through information about how bad it is for the sake of my mental health. Sadly that means that I've avoided some of your (excellent) videos too. I'm in a place at the moment where it looks to me like the vast majority of the damage is done by massive organisations that i could never hope to influence, so thinking about the problem just makes me sad/angry without a way of helping anything.
Looking back, the videos of yours that I've been more drawn to are ones like the solar powered e bike one and the heat pump one, and i think it's because it actually offered me the promise of some level of hope that there might be something i can realistically do to make things less bad.
I've also enjoyed some of the ones like the one about the possible link between el nino and the fall of old Egypt, or the one talking about what el nino actually is. I think again because it doesn't trigger my existential dread 😂
I think the short version is that i love your videos and really like learning stuff, but the climate crisis and possible end of our civilization within my lifetime is too depressing for me to learn more about how bad it is right now.
A ton of newspapers have also had to lay off a bunch of staff in the last few months, and it's for similar reasons: the news is all bad, and so people are avoiding the news. All of the news! Political news, climate news, economic news, it's all bad. People avoiding the news = less views = less revenue = layoffs. I definitely think Simon is suffering as part of this trend.
I think this is a really good summation of my thoughts too. I watch Simon's video for Simon not necessarily for climate and when there's repeated climate videos I prefer to watch other things.
Wholeheartedly agree, I am aware of the problem, and totally despairing at the seeming lack of agency in the solution. It is like watching a car crash and Simon is (in a very high quality way, not harping on his videos more the reason for not watchin!) Telling me about how if the car manufacturer just made the break a different way or pushed out a few changes to it, the crash wouldn't be happening. I know that a lot of climate positivity is toxic, but I feel it will lead to a higher viewer count, meaning more grounded videos which reach more people in turn.
It's the same reason for me, not able to handle more despair.
Yeah, I think this is an element that needs to be taken into consideration.
Personally, I think climate news is just, horrible
I would really hate to see you go Simon Clark, I have been watching your videos since the beginning and I admit I've been missing more of them because of the TH-cam algorithm. But, let me say this, you have been a MASSIVE inspiration to my life. I am going back to college this fall and have finally decided without a shadow of a doubt that I will become and Physicist, and I have your old videos and new knowledge to thank for that. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I hope this won't be the end and that we have many more years to watch your content. I wish the best for you and your family. Good luck, I will continue to support you as long as I can
Good luck to you. I hope you do become a physicist.
Wow. Wasn’t expecting that. I just discovered your channel last fall and your content certainly speaks to me. I’m glad you’re not throwing in the towel just yet. Maybe I’m a nerd, too, but the video on how to measure the height of the atmosphere blew me away! Someone figured this out many hundreds of years ago! Good luck and I hope to keep viewing your videos for many years to come!
My girlfriend, an SEO specialist, has many thoughts on engagement with the changing algorithm. She also offers her sympathies and suggests trying to engage with the social media channels: as challenging as that can be. She also suggested doing response videos to other videos, even if that means consuming more content on top of the research you already do. Finally, she suggests reaching out to other creators for collaboration opportunities.
To my mind, I wonder if shifting to shorter videos might help with engagement and workload? Believe me, I KNOW that climate change is difficult, perhaps impossible to explain in a few minutes, especially to a disinterested person to begin with
I'm unironically sure this advice is useful, but it just makes me depressed
Something like “A week in climate science in 3 minutes” as a regular series might work here
@@Danielbignuts I think that works to draw in people who already care about climate science. In my opinion you've got to bring people in through other means, even if at the end of the day you are teaching them climate science. Veritassium is one of the best examples of "clickbait" educational TH-cam channels that has mainstream appeal while also actually teaching.
An example I gave for Simon was "Inaction at COP28 will cost at least 5 million lives". --> "5 million people will die because of this". I believe that's how Derek would do it.
Kind of how Hank Green does it
Response videos are a cancer on TH-cam
Dear Simon, the world needs good hearted people like you, with the right knowledge who are willing and committed to tell the truth about the climate crisis, specially now, in a time in which disinformation and hidden agendas are inundating all aspects of communication. I have no doubt you will find the right way to move forward, you will. A huge thank you for your great work and your dedication.
I really value your videos! Good luck with the pivot. We're all here for it!
For whatever it's worth, I don't recall ever seeing your channel before. For some reason TH-cam recommended this one. Good luck going forward!
Hank Green spoke about science communication recently and trying to 'fight' against the misinformation wave. I am going to publish a video essay about it soon.
You are a great educator. From my perspective, the 'packaging' and 'narrative' of the stories you tell are the sticking point. I look forward in watching your approach take shape!
Hi, I'd be super interested in watching that video, could you share a link or say where it was uploaded to?
@@user-sx3jr9fl6h The Hank video was on SciShow I believe. If not there then vlogbrothers.
If you were referring to my video, it isnt live yet but will be on my "Educational science" channel. 😁
@@DannyHatcherTech Alright, awesome, thanks! I'll check it out
I have noticed that not only am I not getting notifications from channels that I have the bell on, but also a lot of channels don't even show up in my subscription box even though I'm subscribed to their channel. Its frustrating to say the least, I've started just going to each channel I want to watch. But that is not a great user experience and I think TH-cam needs to fix their site. Was thinking about how I would love to be able to sort my subs into different folders. I follow so many people its difficult to keep up. But if I could sort the channels I could at least stay on top of my absolute favorites. Thank you so much for your content, its nice to actually learn things and you have helped keep my mind fresh. Sending love and positive vibes!
Me too. Been subscribed for ages, but I never get notifications or suggestion in feed. Annoying!
Gotta be somewhere you can get a better APIA...
Hey Simon, thanks for your honesty about what's been going on behind the scenes, the struggles you've been managing, and your intent to keep doing something you love. Let's keep this channel going: will be sharing your videos with my circle.
I've been a long time watcher of this channel and love the content you put out, I first found the Ox Vlog series back in 2015 when I was revising for my A-Levels and they really motivated me to try even harder (granted I wasn't applying for Oxford) but they still really helped. I'm now doing my PhD in molecular biology at the age of 26 and want to thank you for the motivation your videos have provided me over the years. I really hope the best for this channel and your videos do a lot of work behind the scenes especially with motivation, much of which you wont see first hand, but you have impacted many peoples lives with your dedication to science.
If I can be candid, watching your videos starting from a year or two ago I have gotten the sense that you aren't playing the "current TH-cam meta". I don't mean that as an insult but its been noticeable how much it feels like I'm watching someone making things for an old ecosystem.
I remember educational content in the past being more similar to this 10-20 minute didactic style from an expert being more popular, or at least finding more of it, but nowadays the content I see that's trying to be educational is either much shorter (in the 5 minute range, or even 1 minute or less with short-form video), or is much much longer with lower overhead (I'm thinking here about Technology Connections, but I don't know if that longer video model is sustainable for a channel based on climate science).
I think becoming part of a larger team would be the right move for you, should you continue to work through/on TH-cam.
You've done important and really illuminating work on climate science and I've enjoyed your unique voice, but you have always had a naivete about you!
I suspect you're right, but God, how utterly depressing.
The masses do not want to be educated. They want to be entertained.
nah, I disagree strongly. other popular climate channels like Just Have a Think, Climate Adam, potholer54, etc. all make 10-25 minute videos on similar subject matters and get 100's of thousands of views a video. it's moreso his titles and the way he presents the videos that I believe might be the culprit. he needs to find a way to create his own distinct style that gives others a reason to specifically come to his channel.
this. "educational" content has become braindead shorts xd
I'm sorry you're going through this, it's really tough. I'm really lucky because my main job is running my website, not creating TH-cam videos. I make the videos at a loss as a way to connect with my audience and provide more context. The only advice I have is to focus on the distribution platforms that you can have a direct relationship with your audience: podcast, RSS, website, email newsletter and patreon. TH-cam disambiguates your relationship with your audience, so you're always at risk to their whims. Provide value through those other channels and then you don't have to worry about the TH-cam meta.
I really hope Simon continues his email newsletter. It's part of what reminds me of new videos and also how I stay connected with wider climate news.
or he could do a job that matters and helps society rather than try to grift off idiots online. this platform isnt sustainable.
Congrats on the video after this one getting 300k views!! A happy turn of events considering what you spoke about in this one.
🎉🎉
I love your videos, and your back catalogue. Please keep it up!
I haven't watched the 2 videos before this... Im very surprised.. i can only assume they didn't pop up in my feed despite being subscribed etc. i also check my subscriptions regularly for new videos..
Yeah, I didn't get them either, I just thought he stopped making videos for a while, I never knew he came back.
Same here
I also look at my subscription feed all the time, it's the main way i consume youtube content, by far, and i did miss some of his recent content as well.
Yeah, exactly. TH-cam is heavily pushing shorts
Thank YOU for your dedication
I just want to thank you. I hate not being able to support you with little else but my views, but over the years I've grown up with you ever since you started making videos about how to get into Oxford, and how life is there. God bless you and your beautiful family. You've taught me much, and your videos have given me hope and answers in times both I found scarce.
Just. Thank you.
Thank you for your work, videos were brilliant and good luck with whatever you choose to do going forward.
I’ve seen a lot of channels use the community polls to see which videos people want to see. I think the best thing is just to look at what more successful similar channels are doing
This is also why so many people aren’t having kids now, because it stops them doing other things they want to do 😅
I hope things get better, I watch every video!
There is nothing more important in this world than to lovingly and responsibly raise your own children.
@@achenarmyst2156🤷♂️ not for me
Simon, you have my sympathy, but don't be too hard on yourself. Whilst breaks you had to take might have impacted momentum (which really adds insult to injury), I think you can turn it around. I enjoy your videos and what's more, they're incredibly valuable. You're right when you say that this is the single most important issue in the world, because it is the world. You're using your knowledge and skills to inform, educate and hopefully inspire more action, and you can applaud yourself for that. Going forward, let me know if there's any way I can help, even if that's just as a member of your TH-cam community by watching and sharing your content. For now though, don't be discouraged. Wishing you all the very best of luck.
I don't know why, but this is the first video in a long time that I've seen of yours on the TH-cam homepage, despite having been subscribed for years. I'll be making an effort to go back and check out what I've missed, and to check in once a week to make sure I'm keeping up.
I’m sorry to hear about your loss 😢 congratulations 🙌 on the baby girl. I hope things pick up soon
Thank you Simon, for letting us know and for being so transparent. I, for one, will keep watching (and sharing!) your content, because it's always so good.
Good luck with your channel, I hope everything works out.
Leaving a comment just to boost the video in the algorithm, hope it helps
I 100% support your goals here and I’m glad you’re prioritizing your life and wellbeing and adapting to the situations so well
Really look forward to seeing what you come up with, and hope that it works out well for you. Will be watching out for you in my recommends, and upgraded the bell.
Simon, please don’t drop it and don’t blame yourself. You are a good TH-camr. I would very happy to help you the way I can.
My analysis is: I think you have a mixed audience with many people not watching, probably from the era you were making your phd videos. This might be leading the algorithm thinking your videos are not qualitative enough.
If my theory is correct, you might want to either start posting with no notification to attract new audience but considering your current subscriber count I doubt it would work as you would need to attract much more to compensate.
Maybe try creating a new channel and make an announcement here using community and a video, so that we, the real fans can follow you there. This will allow you to rebuild on a strong base.
But please don’t stop.
I'm in no way a TH-cam expert given that I'm not a creator, just a consumer, but I do think you're correct in the assumption that there is a discrepancy between the audience the channel was built on top of vs the audience currently targeted by the channel. Simon built the channel vlogging his PhD journey, and it drew the attention of students wanting to follow this path. It pivoted towards science communication in a more traditional sense, and those two audiences are sadly drastically different. Not only this but it also inevitably competes with other science communication channels for the precious viewership, and it's a war out there. Proposing two different channels approach, and moving the science communication to a brand new one, could very well be the way to go. However, I genuinely believe that PhD-related topics still largely have an audience here, so keeping this channel for PhD interviews etc. would be amazing.
In any case, as a fellow PhD student and a father of a baby daughter, as well as a person who prematurely lost his father 3 years ago, I feel what Simon's going through, and I genuinely, honestly hope he manages to find a way to make it all work.
@@12cone341 You said it in much better words than I could. @simon, we will follow you to a new channel. take the leap of faith. it will not start with hundreds of thousands, but at least it will give you a clear idea of the number of fans and will give you a baseline to build upon. patreon can remain the same… and worst case scenario you would have is status quo if the new one does work…
YES, wow I completely agree with this viewer profile discrepancy of PhD vlog Simon and Simon now.
Another argument towards this - one of the most viewed videos of last year is when he did a VLOG of cycling on an ebike using solar energy! Similar to PhD vlogs...
I myself am following Simon since the very first beginning that was probably more than 11 years ago and I watched continuously the videos for all these years and ended up myself working in climate change and currently doing a phd in it. I totally agree with this theory of audience that is reflected on the number of subscribers is not the actual active audience now but these are the ones from the phd series days. Maybe a fresh start with new content could play the algorithms game!
Regardless of what ends up happening, you've been an inspiration to a lot of people! I look forward to watching your content for what is hopefully a long time to come
Sorry to hear this. Regardless of what happens, your videos have been brilliant and valuable.
But I haven't heard the bell yet, so I believe in you! Let's turn this ship around!
Hello Simon, I have always found you incredibly inspiring for so many reasons, including how you approach dealing with all the challenges life throws in your path, just like now - thank you. I hope the pivot has a positive effect on views. I will, of course, continue to watch. Thank you for all your incredible videos thus far x
Really sorry to hear about the issues with you channel, I've been loving your stuff since your Oxford days and have inspired me hugely. Good luck with these changes and hope they work! Much love
Sorry to hear this Simon, I understand the struggle all too well! Juggling a desire to make content with the need to financially support oneself is my forever challenge. I hope your change of direction works out!
Thanks for being so candid, I am very sorry to hear this channel is not getting what it so richly deserves. Hope you figure out how to make it work!
Sorry to hear the channel is not doing well, i hope that this pivot will help you to get back on track where you want to be!
Wishing you all the best in future Simon, I really hope this works out for you. Will make sure I check in regularly to see the new videos.
I was half expecting something like this. I hope the pivot goes well! I did in fact not watch many videos of yours in the last year; the topics seemed somewhat dry compared to what other channels have to offer and in the end my time is limited with full-time physics research and other things in my life. That being said, I always enjoyed your outlook on topics and will gladly tune in when I'm interested.
One thing which I notice - the most successful educational content seems to me to fall into three categories:
1. It is telling a story which also resonates on an emotional level (e.g. many Veritasium videos)
2. It latches onto a current trend / hype / viral topic and puts its own spin on it (e.g. Sabine and many others)
3. It is somewhat humorous or silly (TierZoo, some of your videos like the solarpowered bike)
I presume you will be aware of such a pattern given it's your full-time job.
All the best to you and fingers crossed!
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Edit: You may consider more clickbaity titles and thumbnails. The El Nino video seems like a good example where title and thumbnail are very low in attention grabbing potential.
you've been one of the best learning chanells i follow for the past few years. Thank you for all of the content you've made so far
Love the channel and your sincerity as a human being.
I have been here since the study effectively/simonoxphys days and what you describe in terms of your view trends is mapped in my experience of your channel (obviously..).
I have seen your videos pop up of my feed for the last 3-4 years and I don't feel an urge to click especially your latest ones. I know they will be scientifically rigorous, balanced and informative just from how your are as a person/scientist but I just didn't feel interested enough,
(granted I am a medical doctor and the 'climate' field isn't my strongest area of interest) but I'd like to consider myself your target audience (popular science communication).
My fondest memories are the PhD vlogs waiting for an upload every week seing you battle equations and balance having a social life with the challenges of your programme. The excitement/suffering was palpable, I took inspiration from your strength and resilience.
Having gone back and watched your recent videos, they are really good and interesting but quite niche as I didn't get past the initial barrier, nothing wrong with that but I feel they just don't appeal to a wide audience. The topics are quite 'safe' and uncontroversial (in a scientific sense)
Giving me something as a viewing is very important to me (knowledge for knowledge's sake is great but there is just too much around on the internet/YT)
From your recent videos I still like your style of science theory with engineering. The solar panel bike and heat pumps are particularly good examples, something where I get knowledge I can use or the janitor where I draw parallels with your PhD vlogs of uncovering knowledge with me rather than you just teaching (my damn ego).
Speaking for myself I watch YT now more to not think too deeply (other than intentional study in anatomy etc. for an exam), unless the topic is controversial/contentious or topical (gravitational waves, 'end' of particle physics etc.)
Essentially what I think I am saying is your videos have become less about you (which made the channel so special) and more about almost random narrative stories each going in different directions revolving around climate science similar to a BBC bitesize video, where you can feel the presenter is treating it like a job and not fully absorbed in the topic.
While writing this I realise how bloody difficult content creating is (100x harder in an educational niche) and wish you nothing but success.
Well said, I also hugely admired Simon in the PhD vlogs, and seeing the personal aspects, seeing what someone's life looks like, makes me more interested in the infomative bits...but I am just not drawn to presenter style videos from any channel. Probably not studious enough haha :)
I love your vidoes. The way you explains, its amazing!
All the support! Been here since the oxford vlogs, really loved them. And wish you the best!
I can tell you genuinely put in time and effort to give us the facts as best you can while remaining entertaining. If I see your videos in my queues they will be watched. Best of luck regardless of what you decide in the end.
Man Simon, this must be incredibly hard. Making what's important popular, and not the other way around is very difficult. I'm in the communication team of a struggling start-up, so I know what it's like. Thank you for your vulnerability and transparency, very admirable
Hi Simon. Thank you so much for your contribution. You have made a difference. I learned from your videos and so have some of my students.
Sorry to hear this, as your content is really amazing. Wishing you good luck with the pivot!
I just found your channel and subbed. Keep going mate your content is much appreciated.
Simon, I'm sorry to hear this. Been a big fan of your stuff for the last few years. I hope the pivot will stabilise thing and then get you back on track.
I really hope the next couple of months would see an improvement... Your work is so important and I would definitely be watching whatever you still produce.
I'm really sorry to hear this because I do find your content to be very informative and important. It's just that over the last couple of years I've become so overwhelmed with ALL the social media and the ALL the content generation. I don't enjoy any of it anymore and I feel a need to take a step back and go offline for weeks at times. There's one more thing that really resonated with me - what you've said about not being able to keep up with what's currently going on with TH-cam. Well, I am a graphic designer and I, as well as my peers, feel like things are moving and changing too fast. The way things are, the way we do business, the trends... just everything. Frankly it's becoming impossible to keep up. I don't think you are the only one.
Yes, what you're talking and educating us about is incredibly important and I really hope you will find a sustainable way of continuing your channel, even if it would mean one video a month while having a main job (but I hope it won't come to this)
Thank you for all this years and hopefully many more years to come!😊
Following you for quite a while now, Simon, I love your content (because it's important), but I particurlarly love your style, IMHO you're a GREAT science communicator, so please continue if possible at all ! ❤
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(Patreon sub added)
Just huge respect to you Simon , I hope things work out in near future. Don't lose hope. You make youtube a better place.
Great channel, I also didn't get notified for the new videos the past year!
I totally feel this bro. You'll figure out what's right for you! Thank you for sharing so openly too, transparency in this industry is so important and no doubt this video will help a lot of people - I know I got a lot out of it.
p.s. Commenting to boost the algorithm so you get a good solid Adsense check on this video!
I know totally what you're talking about. Something dramatically changed early last year and for me, and evidently for you too, it has been a very problematic change.
Some friends ive spoken to have said certain "controversial" videos on your channel have generally eroded trust and thus interest on further watches and word of mouth recommendations. Perhaps there may be a similar case here, though I have little idea what. Love your channel btw!
The change is this: people have woken up to this climate scam and evil hypocrite quangos like the WEF, WHO, EU pushing this false climate agenda down our throats while they fly round the world in their private jets, paying syndicates to maliciously start wildfires all around the world to push this false idea of “global boiling” due to CO2!! They are a cesspool of political fear mongers who try force the world into alternative energies which has both a carbon footprint and cost of at least five times that of simply burning fossil fuels. People die of hunger and cold in winter because they can’t afford to cook or heating their homes. This of course all due to these unelected climate pushing quangos imposing and burdening households through higher energy and food taxes!!!
I don’t what to sound disparaging, but when Simon said he didn’t want to start doing “controversial topics I don’t know that much about” erm… …I did think of a few videos on your own channel.
I appreciate you have to get the numbers, but at least a couple were a bit disappointing/seemed a bit shallow compared to your “home” topics around physics.
@@Will-kt5jk Agree. It's understandable, but still disappointing.
I agree with other commenters: when you did the trans "women" in sport video, to be blunt, you lost me. So many women are falling for this misogynistic rubbish, it was disappointing that you waded into the debate because your conclusions were clearly ill-informed. I want to watch videos where you stick to your field/subject.
I really enjoy your videos and I wish you every success in the future, whatever that future looks like.
Just wanted to comment and say you've taught me a lot. Thank you! I missed the past few videos, and I'm going back to check them out now.
Thank you for your service. I hope things do get better soon, in one way or another. Stay strong 💪
Thank you for everything you've done for us!
Best of luck on your pivot, and regardless of whether this channel continues or not, I wish you and your family the best of luck in life.
Hey Simon. You do such an amazing job. I keep seeing you walking around the centre of Bath, but I have never wanted to disturb you. But I want to say your videos on mental health really helped me. I had a breakdown a few years back, and have slowly been putting myself back together - your videos kept me going. Just wanted you to know.
Found your reel of atmosphere, loved it, now I'm here learning it could be all over soon. Subscribed from the reel, look forward to your pivot and success!
This just makes me so sad 😭 I love your channel, ive seen most of your videos for the past few years and learned a bunch. No matter what happens in the future, the impact you’ve already had will not go away.
You had some great information, mate. I hope you do well for your family. I'll be watching what you got coming though. 😊
Yeah: and if Simon can't make it work: family comes first! There's just no point in sabotaging your life by tilting at the insurmountable windmill that is modern youtube. The world is a much darker place than just a few years ago, and youtube is a ruthless engagement-focused platform: even with Simon's excellent presentation skills and clear passion that's just a very, very challenging hill to climb. I truly hope Simon succeeds, but I hope even _more_ that if he simply cannot: he stops in time to protect himself and with the knowledge that he _did_ make a difference and has earned the trust, respect, and admiration of quite a sizable audience.
Don't get crushed by youtube!
Been here since the college days! Love your content and am looking forward to the new direction you take.
Mate, good luck. I very much enjoy your videos. I've made sure to watch all the ads here, and I'll consider you being the first patreon I join, as your message is worth it.
Long time watcher and been loving your content and your book, but definitely is so sad to hear it's becoming so difficult to just keep it going with such a great informative and important channel.
Variety in content may help. The climate crisis is the most important topic to communicate, but there is alot of cool science and engineering you could make videos about. For example, ITER, fusion energy, developments in offshore wind. I am also always interested in scandalous history. In your recent videos you explored the bad actors of the climate crisis. Id be interested in a deeper dive and dramatization of that topic.
Focussing on the technology and engineering side of things as well as the bad actors could very well prove interesting. However, I think part of the issue is that there is so much competition in that space. Engineering channels focus on the developement of new technologies and channels like Climate Town focusses on the forces slowing the transition to greener technologies. Additionally there are channels like Not Just Bikes and Adam something, focussing on the infrastructure side. Point being that there are so many niches now and attempting to pivot to those topics is going to be hard if he is to compete with channels that have established themselves on those topics.
Thank you Simon! Your vlogs at the time of your thesis helped me go through mine. Please keep going.
Never seen you before, but be sure I'll tune into your future videos. Good luck with your pivot!
It only proves how majority of attention on TH-cam and comparable platforms is concentrated on frankly speaking rubbish content, while creators which focus on educational & scientific topics lag behind economically. Simon, thank you for enlisting us on all those topics you covered. Best of luck in your futures projects both on and outside TH-cam
Hope it works out for you Simon. I have been an on and off watcher since your early Exeter days. I must admit that I watched your vlogs the most, but I have also enjoyed several of your educational videos you made after you finished your PHD. I will stay subbed and watch wahtever type of content you make, but it is completely fair you have to do what is best for you and your family now. Good luck and cheers from Norway :)
Everything you put out is such high quality, and with a variety of video styles and formats already I have no doubt you'll eventually find your niche. Good luck!
This is frustrating, because, Simon, have you have a excellent voice and a compelling presentation style.
as a energy engineering student your videos on the climate helps me gain context on my course. I'm sorry to hear your struggling, I'm not the best at following all of you content, I do enjoy the stuff I've watched. I especially enjoyed your fixing transport video, I hope you are able to continue as you are a valued part of my studying
This is devastating, as you are one of my favourite creators and I wish you could just keep doing what you're doing.
Your videos helped me through a hard time in my life from 2018-2019. I appreciate you man
This is the first video of yours I've ever seen or been recomended. Funny how the algorithm works. Going to your channel now to see your other videos.
That is really unfortuante to hear, your content always has been really entertaining and educational to listen to. Now you mentioned your new appraoch so I am just gonna list some things that I would be interested in learning more about!
- Recently reforestation has come under a lot of scrutiny, carbon capture has almost been debunked by this point. Are there other viable negative carbon emissions strategies? Such as Seaweed projects, enhanced weathering etc.
- The Circular economy has been really interesting for me lately! With companies like Interface leading the way. But how can smaller business implement these?
- I really liked your videos about climate models and how they operate, so maybe more about that?
- Explaining the physics behind climate change is always interesting!
- The role of agriculture in climate change, especially since recent events in the Ntehrland,s Germany and France with farmesr being upset. How can we shape a regernative sector?
- Highlighting new succesful projects are always fun
Now I am ofcourse only person, but these would be topics that I be interested in!
This is really sad, i have always loved your videos. I will continue to support you.
I'm subscribed and have been since 2016, I didn't see any of the videos from this year in my suggested. All the best mate hope it works out.
I hope that you are able to find what works for you and your family, love your videos and hope you are able to stay on youtube full time!
I am not sure if commenting can help, but I watched your channel since I was a undergrad student in Brazil and now I am a PhD here in Manchester (UK). Thanks for the good quality videos that you shared with us, I will try to share the new one also with my friends here.
Wishing you the best of luck! If you hadn't made this video I wouldn't have even known the channel was struggling.
Best of luck Simon. I’ve been watching your content since your uni days. I always feel you have something thoughtful and interesting to tell us.
I didn't know you had made any videos since your break, regarding your dad. I have notifications enabled and this is the first video that has been served to me
Oh no, you definitely had all my views! Your videos are among my absolute favorite on YT. I really hope you can pull through!