It is really unnerving…

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OK already, I admit it:

“I like surfing on YouTube!”

Anything having to do with motor homes, minimalism and great conversions – I take on infos like a sponge.
I generally love the fact, how people “eternalize” their capabilities, so others can do likewise.
Therefore I do like to subscribe to a few (perhaps around 30) channels to get timely news, whenever there is new content. The clips generally cover 5-20 minutes and are more interesting than TV. With some of the channel ops I have closer contact, perhaps via eMail – or even personal, if I am in the area.

It is only natural, that every channel op decides on the content posted. Stuff of no concern to me? I can pass on that content and will do so.

Lately I have followed a channel with information on a van conversion. Well done, along with a girlfriend and a dog. During the festive season, they’re engaged in some philantropic activities. One can feel the good intent and the effort – and apparently not just for clicks and subscribers. Sounds good.

So now the channel operator – apparently a wrencher of sorts, who may even do this professionally (journeyman?) – publishes a video on repairing the brakes on his > 3 ton rocket. Perhaps you can retrace my thoughts here: You are a professional with decades of experience and recognize some hefty problems / risks within the video.
What really gets me, is the fact, that the producer of the video – seemingly amused – tells his audience: “You’re not allowed to do any of this. Only when a journeyman or foreman or someone in the know is present.” Huh? Why the video then? Just for some self-portayal, subscriptions, klicks?

Picture by Alexas_Fotos on Pixabay

So the angel on the left side of my shoulder says: “Move on, not your problem.” The devil on the right side argues: “Don’t stand by idly – do something!”
So – as in most times in life – it ends up being a compromise. The channel operator has received praise for other videos in the past, so one assumes that he can take constructive criticism for what it’s worth. I also do not care to make a YT-thing out of this, so I write a very polite eMail with a few suggestions.
The answer is rather short: Somehow reduced to “Thanks.”

So, what exactly is it, that I want? O.K. now – brakes and steering on motor vehicles are important for survival. If someone explains how to install a waterpump or radio and screws it up – I shrug my shoulders – who cares. If someone screws up on a brake repair it stops being funny. Some fool is going to take these instructions literally, something goes wrong – he might lose his life. I do like the Darwin theory on survival of the fittest: He / she was just not up to living.
Unfortunately, this crash pilot is likely to take a couple of other folks along for the trip to the pearly gates. So these instructions become everyone’s business, especially to those, that do know better – based on their experience.

A second video appears and the protagonist corrects one of the steps within the job with a noticable undertone: “…so I don’t get any more dumb comments”. But, again, there is more questionable wisdom at work and some mandatory safety aspects are left out. So I comment this time around – with a smilie but to the point.

This opens the stage for all the fans and clappers – they add their half-knowledge and readily declare my – generally proven – methods for crap & myth. So I unpack the big guns and present some facts with the suggestion to try Google & Co. prior to typing.

Now the protagonist appears and reiterates with familiar undertone, that if you don’t have anything nice to say – one should just look away and get moving. Is this now a legal dilemma for me? After gaining knowledge of a potential “danger video”, am I required to act? Perhaps I should enquire with a lawyer…

Generally speaking, YT channel ops appear rather thin-skinned. Clappers are subcribers, push “Like” and watch the videos. Critical voices do that as well, but are mobbed as party-poopers.
Grow up guys and gals, take responsibility and don’t just tolerate critics but accept criticism and offer a polite “Thank you”, when it is called for. It’s not about being “right”, it’s about correct content to reduce dangers to the public (as in this case) as much as possible.