Chillichap's World: Why I Watch YouTube More Than Any Other Channel

 Hello!

When I get up each day, I'm thirsty. Not for a coffee or a beer (although the latter is tempting, the warmer weather is migrating me to Gin & Tonic now), but stimulation. Mostly I crave knowledge or new experiences. Being self-employed means I work very strange, often long hours and pretty much sofa-surf most of the day (although I'm actually sat in an armchair). I'm a bit of a monkey, as I like to fiddle in the form of my keyboard and mouse and usually flit between looking at my laptop, TV screen, and mobile phone. So as I'm working, it's great to have something on TV. and this usually involves YouTube.


So why YouTube? If you know how to use it properly, you can find almost anything. A very long time ago, I was an Information Officer, and finding things was my job. I can't seem to rest until I find what I'm looking for either on Google searches or tucked away in some obscure video on YouTube. The really clever thing about YouTube is that it uses algorithms to take the data you're inputting and figure out what else you'd like. It can sometimes feel like YouTube is reading your mind! The best example is when you search for a long-lost song from your distant past. You might have to use Google first to input a line from the chorus that you remember. Here's a great example of a recent experience:-

Me - Oh god, I've got a song on the tip of my tongue

Wife - What song?

Me - If I knew, it wouldn't be on the tip of my tongue

Wife - Well, what do you remember?

Me - Well in the chorus I'm sure the female singer sings 'but I do know Mandy Clark'

Wife - That doesn't ring any bells

- I sing this and she's more confused - 

Me - OK, I'll Google it

- Nothing

Me - Hm, I'll type it in in YouTube

- Nothing

This is the point where I'm starting to think I've imagined the whole thing. 

Me - Aha! I'm remembered another line

Wife - What?

Me - I don't feel no shame, I feel no pain

Wife - Nope

Me - Oh shhh. I'll Google that!

Up comes "Mandinka," by Sinead O'Connor 

Me - Ah, OK. The song is Mandinka by Sinaed O'Connor

Wife - How did you get Mandy Clark you mad mad fool?

Me - <sheepishly> Man-din-ka - sounds a bit like it. The point is I found it (great song-I'd recommend you listen).

This somewhat comedic example just shows what you can do if you have half a memory and a computer or phone. I don't just use YouTube to remember songs, I create playlists, I watch old movies and YouTube will continually suggest more old movies that I'll probably like. I watch videos on history and other topics I'm interested in. The reason why I really like YouTube so much is that I feel in control of what I decide to watch. I'll probably end up paying for the premium service to get rid of all the annoying woke adverts that pop up too at some point.

Anyway, I'd better get some work done. 

Thanks for reading

Matt AKA Chillichap

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