I feel like, for better or worse (most likely worse), there's a dark cavern of YouTube for everybody. As the platform has grown and their algorithm has adapted, it seems like no matter what you're directed towards a cave deep in the belly of the beast. At least that's been my experience in the last few years. So in an attempt to make sense of these various virtual landing spots I've decided to create a series called YouTube Caverns. It's a simple concept: post a video that you've stumbled upon, or a series of videos that you've been following, and talk about why you think it's cool.
So without further adieu, here's episode #1:
El Chapo
Ever since the pandemic hit one of those wormholes I've been watching/listening to is a show called Chapo Trap House, which I've streamed on YouTube, Spotify, and Reddit. It's a political comedy podcast hosted by a bunch of slacker quasi-socialists that's equal parts stupid and profound. They make a joke out of everything, but hit upon thought-provoking points regarding socio-political issues too. Mainly I have enjoyed it as a source of comedy - they're not afraid to shit on anyone and I respect that. It's sad how subversive comedy like theirs has been widely demonized these days. I think that type of humor serves an important purpose within well-functioning societies, and the hyper-PC knee-jerk reaction to discredit art/artists that question our systems is unhealthy. If you were to read about these guys in the mainstream media you'd get the impression that they're evil, misogynist psychopaths lol. And while they definitely are controversial in their own way, I think they mean well at their core.
Here's one of my favorite bits I've ever heard from them, talking about how everyone has a white trash buddy that they grew up with.
One of the hosts Matt Christman does his own side vlog called CushVlog that I enjoy listening to every now and then. In it he goes on hour-long philosophical rants about the most existential shit you could ever imagine. It's one of the more wild YouTube caverns I've ever been in lol. But it's enjoyable hearing someone who is so smart explain the problems of the day as he sees it. In the latest post he announced he was going to try and write it all down in a book, which I thought was an epic moment. I'm excited for him to get his thoughts down on paper. I think Matt is one of the most interesting intellectuals I've listened to during this YouTube era. He is pretty black pill nihilistic in his vision, but to watch someone on the fringes like that during such a tough time feels more real than watching some mainstream media puppet tell me that everything is ok. In a way his rants feel like philosophical sermons in the tradition of Nietzsche. His latest post is below. It's some next level stuff.
Anyways, just wanted to get my thoughts out on this for episode #1. Hoping that Cushbomb can pull off writing the book. I understand, to some degree, the battles and struggles that come with artistic and philosophical expression and am in his corner big time.
- ZB James
No comments:
Post a Comment