Thank you so much for this. It’s been living in that Internet paradox world for me of “thing I am dying to know more about and yet am completely unwilling to look into even remotely at all” and this completely scratched the itch and I can now remove all of this from my brain. You are doing the Lord’s work.
I know this is nothing new, especially in the era of All Social Media All the Time Rules Our Lives, but it's very annoying that people are intentionally making stuff that "piss people off" since it gets more views.
Could be that I am also over the age of 30 and so way overdue for whatever is the modern version of "Logan's Run" Carousel.
James Bennett, 2018: "In our time, we owe our readers an honest struggle over the right paths ahead, not a pretense that we’re in possession of God’s own map. That means being willing to challenge our own assumptions; it means being open to counter-arguments even as we advance our own convictions; it means listening to voices that we may object to and even sometimes find obnoxious, provided they meet the same tests of intellectual honesty, respect for others and openness.."
Henry De Tolla, 2023: "Yes, yeah, I make sure I do all the things that piss people off. Everyone’s like Oh, he put so many sound effects in his videos. That’s done intentionally. The 'dings' and the 'whoas' in the background. [Laughs]"
"if it wasn't gonna get views I wasn't gonna cover it... most of my viewers--I would say it's geared towards, like, middle schoolers and high schoolers"
This part caught my attention most of all, maybe because I'm realizing there's a lot of people trying to make money by upsetting teenagers enough to go viral.
I think a HUGE amount of "weird/depressing stuff online" can be traced back to adolescents and pre-adolescents making up a larger portion of the audience for internet bullshit than adults realize or remember, especially on YouTube and TikTok
Also monetizing kids. I know nothing about Baby Gronk other than what's in this article, but the quotes from his dad/manager are concerning. What happens when this stops being fun for him?
I have zero interest in Baby Gronk but I'm fascinated with h00pify and got here through a twitter search. Now I'm finding myself thrilled to have discovered you and am making my way through your past articles. You're filling the hole Reply All left in my heart and you're endorsed by Hunter Harris? You have a new subscriber.
It would be interesting to know if De Tolla wants views in order to monetize his channel, or if he just wants views for views sake. From the interview it seems like the latter to an extent, but it’s interesting he would want attention from people who are mostly not in on the joke
Thank you so much for this. It’s been living in that Internet paradox world for me of “thing I am dying to know more about and yet am completely unwilling to look into even remotely at all” and this completely scratched the itch and I can now remove all of this from my brain. You are doing the Lord’s work.
I know this is nothing new, especially in the era of All Social Media All the Time Rules Our Lives, but it's very annoying that people are intentionally making stuff that "piss people off" since it gets more views.
Could be that I am also over the age of 30 and so way overdue for whatever is the modern version of "Logan's Run" Carousel.
The only difference between these people and your average newspaper's editorial page is that the TikTokers are good looking.
James Bennett, 2018: "In our time, we owe our readers an honest struggle over the right paths ahead, not a pretense that we’re in possession of God’s own map. That means being willing to challenge our own assumptions; it means being open to counter-arguments even as we advance our own convictions; it means listening to voices that we may object to and even sometimes find obnoxious, provided they meet the same tests of intellectual honesty, respect for others and openness.."
Henry De Tolla, 2023: "Yes, yeah, I make sure I do all the things that piss people off. Everyone’s like Oh, he put so many sound effects in his videos. That’s done intentionally. The 'dings' and the 'whoas' in the background. [Laughs]"
what are you talking about, Thomas Friedman and Ross Douthat are absolute smokeshows
I am way older than 30 and the gem in my hand has been flashing red for years and when I finally find the carousel it’s going to be way too late.
Yes
"if it wasn't gonna get views I wasn't gonna cover it... most of my viewers--I would say it's geared towards, like, middle schoolers and high schoolers"
This part caught my attention most of all, maybe because I'm realizing there's a lot of people trying to make money by upsetting teenagers enough to go viral.
I think a HUGE amount of "weird/depressing stuff online" can be traced back to adolescents and pre-adolescents making up a larger portion of the audience for internet bullshit than adults realize or remember, especially on YouTube and TikTok
High school teacher here, can confirm
YES. We are going to have ‘Free Speech Tsars’ in every domain soon because 8th graders got a little bit too salty.
Also monetizing kids. I know nothing about Baby Gronk other than what's in this article, but the quotes from his dad/manager are concerning. What happens when this stops being fun for him?
i am somehow more fascinated and interested in the drip king baby gronk saga after reading this than before.
this man is an artist
He paints on an extremely dumb canvas
Wait... 'the youth' aren't reading substacks?
i do not like the sound of baby gronk dad
This post has everything I hate about everything.
Really? I love it. I love that for one moment the online community can come together and re-live 7th grade. It was A MOMENT.
Reading this and Today in Tabs feels like what I imagine having a stroke feels like
good for you, livvy
I have zero interest in Baby Gronk but I'm fascinated with h00pify and got here through a twitter search. Now I'm finding myself thrilled to have discovered you and am making my way through your past articles. You're filling the hole Reply All left in my heart and you're endorsed by Hunter Harris? You have a new subscriber.
It would be interesting to know if De Tolla wants views in order to monetize his channel, or if he just wants views for views sake. From the interview it seems like the latter to an extent, but it’s interesting he would want attention from people who are mostly not in on the joke
This is the best interview I’ve read in a long while
You're laughing? Even language itself is collapsing into anarchy and you're laughing?
Thanks I hate it.