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PaperclipPerfector  7mo ago (text post)   1892 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for October 1, 2023

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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Why do people enjoy reaction videos? I can understand the appeal for content creators: they are cheap and quick to make and please the gods of YT algorithms.

But why would I watch someone watch a video? Is it a parasocial thing, enjoying things you liked "together" with your "friend"?

I used to watch them as a young teen, like 12-13.

As a teen they gave a rough idea on what I "should" think of a game movie or event or whatever. And regurgitating even what a stupid adult says make you somewhat of a "smart" teen. I didn't watch only with the express intent of that, I often just found them entertaining, but that was an added bonus.

Why do adults watch them? Because are developmentally impaired.

As a teen they gave a rough idea on what I "should" think of a game movie or event or whatever.

Why not watch an actual review then? I am talking about literal reaction videos, where some youtuber is literally watching another video and at most pausing it to comment. I can kinda tolerate it when it's an actual review, like Uncle Roger's BBC fried rice, although I rapidly grow weary of this format. But I just had to search YT for the link to a music video, and it helpfully suggested I would also enjoy watching reactions to a music video.

How many music videos actually have written or scripted reviews? Reaction videos have a lower barrier to entry than a blog post or scripted video, since you just have to watch and say what you're thinking, but a higher barrier and probably more detail than a Youtube comment. So if someone wants to hear what someone else thinks of a particular music video, they might be pretty much the only choice available. Also if a youtuber or streamer already has an audience they might be interested in what he has to say about something, even if they aren't very interested in the actual subject matter and it's low-effort content.

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