"I WISH I HAD MORE INTERNET FRIENDS." - Literally Nobody

Summary

In this reflective video, the creator discusses the irony of running a tech-focused YouTube channel while advocating for a reduced reliance on technology. He shares his personal realization of having more free time due to less internet use and challenges the viewer to consider the impact of technology and social media on their lives. The creator also addresses the unnatural nature of online relationships and the importance of investing in real-life connections, concluding with a call to action to reduce internet usage.

Takeaways

• 🕒 The speaker has noticed having more free time recently and questions the reason behind it.
• 💻 There's irony in discussing technology on a YouTube channel while also considering the negative impacts of technology on our lives.
• 🚫 The speaker expresses concern about over-reliance on computers and the negative effects of social media.
• 🔍 Successful tech figures, like Mark Zuckerberg, reportedly limit their children's use of technology, highlighting awareness of its potential harms.
• 📱 The speaker takes breaks from making videos to model a reduced dependency on technology and to encourage a similar approach among viewers.
• 📺 The speaker criticizes the repetitive nature of news responses and the futility of commenting on every event, suggesting a more thoughtful engagement with media.
• 🤔 The speaker's video hiatuses are a deliberate choice to communicate the value of not always being connected or creating content.
• 👥 The speaker dislikes the idea of being an internet figurehead and finds the parasocial relationships formed online unnatural and unhealthy.
• 🏡 The speaker emphasizes the importance of real-life relationships and experiences over online interactions and presence.
• 🌐 The speaker believes that despite the potential for a large online audience, real-life connections are more meaningful and less controlled by external forces.

Q & A

What realization did the speaker have about their recent abundance of time?

The speaker realized they had been spending a lot of time on the internet, which led to the question of why they had so much time, implying a reassessment of their internet usage.

What irony does the speaker identify in having a YouTube channel?

The irony is that while the channel discusses technology, the speaker is also concerned about the negative impacts of technology and social media on people's lives.

Why does the speaker believe it's important to be aware of technology's effects on one's life?

The speaker believes it's important because understanding the implications and consequences of technology can lead to a more mindful and balanced relationship with it.

What does the speaker think about the use of social media and its impact on people?

The speaker views social media as having unnatural effects on people and is worried about its impact, suggesting that those who truly understand its effects might avoid using it.

Why does the speaker take breaks from making videos on their channel?

The speaker takes breaks to practice what they preach, which is to reduce reliance on technology and the internet, and to avoid hypocrisy in their message.

What message does the speaker want to convey by taking long hiatuses from their channel?

By taking breaks, the speaker communicates that their content is not essential and that people should focus on real-life experiences and relationships.

Why does the speaker avoid making news response videos?

The speaker finds news response videos repetitive and believes that once people understand the principles behind the news, they don't need to hear the same thing repeatedly.

What does the speaker imply about the nature of internet relationships compared to real-life relationships?

The speaker implies that real-life relationships are more important and meaningful than internet relationships, which are fleeting and less substantial.

How does the speaker feel about the idea of being a figure that people emotionally depend on through their videos?

The speaker finds the idea of people emotionally needing their videos to be revolting and unhealthy, referring to it as a 'parasocial relationship.'

What lesson does the speaker want to impart with their video and channel in general?

The speaker wants to encourage viewers to reduce their reliance on the internet and social media, and to invest more in real-life experiences and genuine relationships.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Reflecting on Technology and Its Impact

The speaker begins by acknowledging a hiatus from creating videos due to a realization about the abundance of free time. They ponder the irony of discussing technology on a platform that is itself a product of technology. The speaker expresses concern over the effects of technology and social media on people's lives, citing the example of Mark Zuckerberg limiting his children's use of Facebook. They argue for the importance of being aware of technology's impact and criticize the idea of creating content just for the sake of gaining online followers. The speaker also discusses their own habits of taking breaks from YouTube, which they see as a form of weaning their audience off an unhealthy dependency on online content. They emphasize the artificiality of online relationships and the importance of real-life interactions, suggesting that their breaks from creating content serve as a statement against the constant need for online engagement.

05:00

📵 Embracing a Life Beyond the Internet

In the second paragraph, the speaker shares their personal journey of reducing internet usage for recreation, highlighting a shift from constant online engagement to more sporadic, purposeful use. They stress the importance of aligning one's actions with their beliefs, as they advocate for a reduced reliance on technology. The speaker also addresses the fleeting nature of online influence and the control exerted by those who govern the internet. They contrast the ephemeral connections online with the enduring value of real-life relationships, suggesting that the latter holds more significance. The speaker concludes by reinforcing the message to limit internet use, emphasizing the importance of focusing on real-life experiences and interactions over the pursuit of online validation and presence.

Keywords

💡Irony

Irony refers to a situation where there is a contrast between expectations and reality, often leading to humor or incongruity. In the video, the speaker points out the irony of discussing technology on a platform like YouTube, which is itself a product of the technology they critique. The speaker uses the term to highlight the contradiction between the channel's focus on technology and the critical examination of its impact on society.

💡Technology

Technology encompasses the tools, systems, and methods developed from scientific knowledge to achieve specific goals. The video discusses the impact of technology, particularly the over-reliance on computers and the negative effects of social media. The speaker reflects on the broader implications of technology, suggesting that its influence on human life is a cause for concern.

💡Consequences

Consequences refer to the results or effects of an action or decision. The video script mentions the need to consider the consequences of technology, such as the potential loss of privacy and the psychological impact of social media. The speaker encourages viewers to think deeply about the ramifications of integrating technology into various aspects of life.

💡Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy is the act of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform. The speaker uses this term to express their discomfort with promoting their YouTube channel while also advocating for a reduction in technology use. They feel it would be hypocritical to encourage viewers to watch more videos when the message is to reduce dependency on such platforms.

💡Abstain

To abstain means to voluntarily refrain from or avoid something. In the context of the video, the speaker encourages viewers to abstain from technology, particularly the recreational use of the internet and social media. The speaker's own practice of taking breaks from creating content serves as an example of this abstention.

💡Social Media

Social media refers to digital platforms and applications that enable users to create and share content or engage in social networking. The video criticizes social media for creating unnatural social dynamics and fostering a dependency that can be detrimental to mental health. The speaker views social media as a superficial form of interaction that lacks the depth and authenticity of real-life relationships.

💡Parasociology

Parasociology is a term that describes the one-sided relationship that fans have with media figures, where they feel they know the person but the feeling is not mutual. The speaker mentions this concept to describe the unhealthy attachment some viewers may have with YouTubers, which they find unsettling and something they want their audience to move away from.

💡Real Life

Real life, in contrast to the virtual or online world, refers to the tangible, face-to-face interactions and experiences that occur outside of digital platforms. The video emphasizes the importance of real-life relationships and experiences over those found on the internet, suggesting that the latter are fleeting and less meaningful.

💡Influence

Influence refers to the capacity to have an effect on someone or something. The speaker reflects on the perceived influence one might have on a large online platform like YouTube versus the actual impact they can have in real life. They argue that despite the potential for a broader reach online, the influence and connections in real life are more substantial and genuine.

💡Control

Control, in this context, refers to the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events. The video discusses how online platforms, particularly social media, can be controlled by entities that manage the internet, which can manipulate the user experience and the information users receive.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity is the quality of being genuine or real. The speaker contrasts the authenticity of real-life relationships with the superficiality of online interactions. They argue that while online platforms may provide a sense of connection, it lacks the depth and authenticity of face-to-face relationships.

Highlights

The speaker reflects on having more free time and questions the reasons behind it.

Irony is noted in discussing technology on a platform that can be detrimental to one's well-being.

The importance of considering the implications and consequences of technology is emphasized.

Concerns about over-reliance on computers and the negative effects of social media are expressed.

Examples of tech giants like Mark Zuckerberg limiting tech use for their children are mentioned.

The speaker's habit of taking breaks from YouTube to align with their message of reducing tech reliance.

The speaker clarifies that their goal is not to increase viewership but to encourage a reduction in tech dependency.

The futility of creating content for the sake of it and the desire to communicate through absence is discussed.

The speaker criticizes the repetitive nature of news responses and the lack of need to comment on everything.

The idea that not creating content can be a statement in itself is presented.

The speaker expresses discomfort with the concept of being an internet figure and the parasocial relationships it fosters.

The speaker's personal reduction in internet use and the hypocrisy of not practicing what they preach is highlighted.

The fleeting and controlled nature of online communities is critiqued.

The importance of real-life relationships over online presence is argued.

The speaker suggests that the influence one has in real life is more significant than online influence.

The final lesson is a call to action for viewers to stop using the internet recreationally.

Transcripts

good morning it's actually been a while

since I've done a video and that's for a

reason uh I had this realization the

other week actually

um I forget what I was doing in

particular but I realized man I've had

like so much time recently what's with

that why do I have so much time

the kind of I don't know this should be

an obvious question but

um you know one thing that there's an

irony there's an irony right many

ironies in uh me having this YouTube

channel we all know them so let's say

them out loud firstly a lot of the stuff

on paper that we pretend to talk about

on this channel right is technology I've

done many technology tutorials and stuff

like that but at the same time one when

you really get into any kind of topic

technology is no exception uh in unless

you are just brain dead you have to

think about the implications like what

what what actually what does this thing

that we're interested in cause like what

are the

um I don't know the ramifications what

are the consequences of Technology right

and I think anyone who's saying and sits

down and thinks about it is very worried

about the the effective technology on

their life okay on Computing like

relying too much on computers and uh

computerization of stuff uh but also the

unnatural effects that uh things like

social media things like this have on us

right

um that's something very worrisome so

ironic likely enough of course although

we talk about computers and stuff it's

very important to be aware of how they

affect you and I think a person who

knows I mean it's like I don't know I

want to say wasn't it like uh Mark

Zuckerberg doesn't let his kids use

Facebook and stuff like that it's the

same consequence when you really know

what these things do to people you are

not going to let the you know you're not

going to want to really participate in

them right

um and at the same token you know

obviously I have

um you know I have a channel where I do

stuff and I talk about I guess lifestyle

stuff that are related to technology and

things but at the same time I'm

militantly I have a habit and you all

know it

um uh you know I've been doing this for

a couple years and sometimes I'll do a

string of videos and then I will take a

Hiatus of several months and I I don't

feel like I need to notify you about

that I will just not do videos and I I

want to I want to bring that up just

let's talk about that explicitly why do

I do that it's not something I plan to

do it's just something that naturally

happens because if you are practicing

and preaching what I'm doing okay if I'm

saying on one side you you need to

abstain from technology and then on the

other side I'm saying hey guys watch

tomorrow's video like comment and

subscribe oh watch to the end of the

you know be enrolled in our sweeps man

hey if you find a secret message in

today's video post a comment and if

you're the first one I'll pin you if I

were doing that like it would be so

hypocritical like I I really don't like

my goal here is really not for people to

watch my channel but for people to stop

doing this all together like to not need

uh not need the uh fake friends of

YouTube that's kind of what I'm getting

at and you'll be in a better position

like that

um but at the same time I want people to

realize like oh a lot of times

especially when it's news things now

I've never done like news responses or

whatever because I think they're very

stupid

um well I mean some of them are good

because they're instructive I'm not like

you know there are lots of people who do

good uh videos like mental Outlaw on

kind of new stuff but it's more like

it's more targeted as what are the

principles behind the news kind of stuff

and that's fine that's fine for people

to to understand what's going on but

even then I don't even do those and I

think the reason is once you kind of

understand what's going on you don't

need to hear the same thing over and

over and over again okay that's my

belief so I don't feel the need to do it

but also more importantly like I don't

need to make a statement on everything

and sometimes frankly me not saying

anything that should constitute a

statement okay when I every day I don't

do a video I am communicating something

to you that that's what I want people to

realize like if I take several months

off that is me saying uh I'm sorry this

isn't worth I might have this like um

this this this ability to speak to

thousands of people but that is not I

mean most of you guys I mean the vast

majority of you guys I will never know I

don't really I don't mean to be mean but

I don't really care to know you I think

you understand that like that this is

just how uh adults work right this is

how real life works and um I I think

it's important not to do videos just to

be able to communicate to people like

this is not this is not life like the

reality is

um obviously in the same way that a lot

of Technology the way people use it is

very unnatural uh social media like

YouTube this is like the Pinnacle of

weirdness like it's just the weirdest

thing you could possibly do

um and I know people like they they they

really glom on to figures they see on

the internet and it's one of the most

healthy things unhealthy things ever

ever it just has always made me want to

puke so the idea of me being one of

these figures is just like revolting

like the idea that there are people who

like emotionally need my videos who

don't know me who literally do not know

me that is just a weird parasocial

relationship

um that I if anything I think people

need to get out of so uh I'm constantly

I'm occasionally using the time time the

time that I want to be lazy and not do

videos as a weaning of people who you

know really shouldn't be addicted to

this kind of stuff right

um so that that's why I do what I do

and so you know my the thing that I

realized a couple weeks ago is that I've

gotten to the point really I I don't use

the internet recreationally at all

anymore

um I mean occasionally maybe once a week

I'll I'll watch some YouTube videos but

I mean it used to be when I was younger

I I'd just be on the internet all the

time I'd pull my computer up all the

time now I do open up my computer and do

little work and stuff like that without

a browser without anything but like

um even that is like I've cut down

significantly and that I mean it would

be it would be bad if I were doing

anything else you know what I mean if

I'm telling you what I think to be the

absolute truth that you are best if you

are cutting the stuff out of your life

uh it would be hypocritical for me not

to do that and that's exactly what I do

right

um so I think one thing that people have

in mind I I want to say there was some

video I did like maybe last month or the

month month before where you know people

were I don't even remember which one it

was but um if something is something

else about like divesting from the

internet but I think that what you got

to realize is yes there is a sense in

which on the internet you can have a

much bigger platform okay like oh I can

talk to these people oh wow in numbers

oh I have a much bigger influence on

YouTube than maybe I do in real Actually

I don't even know if that's true to be

honest like if you really

um if you really think things true

through but it is much like the the

communities the fake Society on the

internet it is so fleeting it is so easy

to control by the people who control the

internet you know what I mean

um and it is not really it's not really

social it's not really anything I I I

guess as I've gotten older and older

I've had the idea that like and this is

very true you might hate it but the

relationships you have in real life are

more important than that even if you all

even if you don't have very many at this

point and you're a fool like when you

are on your deathbed you're not going to

be like man I wish I had more YouTube

subscribers you you're just not going to

be thinking that you're going to be

saying wow I was an idiot I was an idiot

for not spending more time in real life

because there is a difference and

frankly you might feel like you're not a

super powerful person in real life but

you have a lot more power there than you

do on the internet even if you're

talking to a bunch of fake uh internet

friends with anime avatars that make you

uh I don't I don't know I don't know I

don't know what you're doing on the

internet I would just invest you know

what I'm gonna say why why even I don't

even I didn't even need to put this

video up because you you should already

know what I'm going to say but I guess

I'll do it I might as well throw some

some stuff out for people who don't get

it yet so

um today's lesson same lessons and as

usual stop using the internet

that's all