Common Threads

I enjoy scanning the comments, and occasionally commenting myself, on your videos and other channels that I follow. When threads in some comment sections take a position that seems off base compared to the video the are attached to, I think it is nice when the creator steps in to clarify or right the course. When this stuff goes unaddressed, sometimes it can take over and you start seeing the same threads on every video. At that point, at least for me, the comment section loses its appeal and I will stop reading them and engaging through them. I will acknowledge that sometimes those weird comments serve the channel. Like how Josh Weissmann's channel blew up when he embraced the meme culture in his comments. That turned me off but people seem to love it.

Alan Robertson

I love my comments! I don't want this to make it seem like I don't. My problem might just be that I care so much I wish I could sit down and slowly respond to all of them

Why not try disabling comments for a few videos, just to let your work speak for itself? (Or does this affect Youtube royalty models...?)

i'm DEFINITELY lucky with my audience. This is not to suggest I have a bunch of whack jobs in my comments. The fact that most of the common comments are so inconsequential is why I considered making a response in the first place. If I was at the point at which each video needs a.... ahem.... pinned "Q&A" comment, I'd be in far worse shape

Interesting to hear you consider this. From the perspective of a viewer your comments seem to be overwhelmingly filled with interesting + positive thoughts. I consider you to have a uniquely 'sensible' audience by Youtube standards, probably an advantage of being more niche channel. It makes sense to notice these things more as the author, but I also wouldn't get caught up over an inevitable nit-picking minority. That said, I do agree with the above that if there are points you take seriously, it would be interesting to see you talk them over. Also do more anti-capitalism stuff.

Henry

"Can of worms" is all that comes to mind; sums up the dynamics of a comment section. It's just not reasonable to expect a creator to engage with all or most of the voices in lower-stakes common threads like this. As a viewer, I prefer to see a creator reply to ONE comment about *le issue* that's gotten some traction/engagement; folks typically notice and appreciate the response. But it's wild, wild country out there.

Elyse