YouTube, a website I have grown to love …
Other than it is free, no direct cost unless you opt for the upgraded service that is advert-free and allows you to download the videos, there have been many reasons for my liking to this website & social media “channel” …
I’ve managed to find myself subscribed to hundreds, yes 100s, of channels covering topics that range from Star Wars, Sci-Fi, books, photography, cooking, and a multitude of other topics.
It is a great source of short learning & engagements, but also has movies and other material that is just purely entertainment; in topics that just about cover anything and everything.
Want to learn how to make a twist to vinaigrette salad dressing, search for it on YouTube and you’re bound to find something new and to your liking!
Want to understand why Luke went into self-imposed exile, a multitude of YouTube channels dedicated to Star Wars will cover just that.
Want to have the latest and most luxurious camper built, someone somewhere on YouTube will have it covered.
But there are downsides to all this, too! YouTube algorithms learn what you like and pushes to your main page recommendations after recommendations on all the topics that you like and are likely to want to watch … it gets addictive.
I’m trying to figure out a regiment of what to watch, how often to watch, and what to save for future reference. I started by streamlining my subscriptions to the channels and managed to bring this down from 400+ to 100! I’ve also limited myself to not adding to “Watch Later” except on a Friday, and Fridays only.
On a high plus note, I’ve mandated it that I must use it to learn one new skill per year and learn it to a good standard; hence for during 2023, when I started this notion, I looked at topics for 2024 and came up with a short list from sketching & drawing, a new language, cooking. The clear winner was cooking. So, now that we’re in 2024, I have a target to make myself one meal per day, based on ingredients and cooking that I do myself and not with the aid of my house chef! So far, two weeks in to 2024 and two dishes (butter lemon prawns, and garlic chicken) …
So, thank you YouTube, now I will probably eat healthier and grow fatter, while enjoying the various channels, learning more photography skills, and getting deeper into my Star Wars universe.
Yes, I love the channel; and yes, I highly recommend it.
•••