The “High Production = Good Content” Mindset Is Really Hurting the Platform[yap session]

I feel like many content creators have forgotten one of the biggest reasons YouTube was able to dominate television despite being filled with random people with cheap cameras rather than multi-billion-dollar corporations: the content felt genuine. It was people making videos because they enjoyed what they were doing, and that authenticity was what made the platform special.

Over the last few years, especially after the rise of MrBeast and creators trying to replicate his style, YouTube has started to lose some of that identity. Instead of being an alternative to television, it often feels like it’s trying to become television.

The result is an endless stream of content built around the same formulas: “Find the Virgin,” “Guess the ___,” “$100 vs. $1000 ___,” and so on. Every video needs multiple camera angles, constant cuts, dramatic music, and over-the-top editing. It’s all becoming increasingly manufactured.

And to be clear, I don’t mind highly produced content. The Sidemen are actually a good example of this. My issue is when creators try too hard to make every video feel like a blockbuster movie with constant action, dramatic intros, cinematic shots, and over-the-top editing.

A lot of the time, all that production ends up overselling what’s actually in the video. You sit through a massive intro expecting something incredible, only for the video itself to be just… alright.

Ironically, some of the Sidemen’s best videos are the simplest ones. Things like the forest survival challenge or the raft challenge were great because the entertainment came naturally from the group interacting with each other. The banter and vibes
carried the videos. They didn’t need a million camera cuts, movie trailers, or constant stimulation to be enjoyable.

That’s kind of my point. High production value should enhance good content, not replace it.