We’re in the midst of a great demonetization on YouTube, where they have now taken to punishing people by declaring them unfit for advertising. The resulting message is that the video sharing platform is welcome only to liberals. Those who espouse individualism, either explicitly through politics and policy, or culturally, with content that does not mention the former, may be volunteers, but that is all.
“Professional Youtuber” may seem like an oxymoron, but it is not. Many people make their livings providing content for us to enjoy. Since 2007, this “YouTube Partner Program” has allowed anyone with a recording device the opportunity to produce content and share in the advertising revenue they helped generate. So, if you want to find out how to make a soufflé, or learn how to drive, you could find many options to do just that. It is a system that has yielded great content by democratizing access to a centralized distribution platform.
But not anymore. Consider this comment on the nature of private censorship: “Before you watch this video, understand that I know that YouTube is a corporation, and they have the right to boot or censor whoever they want, but that still doesn’t change the fact that they are a bunch of fascist @#%&’s.” – Steven Crowder Crowder is the host of a popular YouTube channel with over seven hundred and fifty thousand subscribers. A conservatarian commentator and host of a current events-based channel, his videos have been demonetized.
This isn’t about the legal right to restrict who gets to be on the site or makes money from it. It’s about recognizing YouTube’s bias against conservatives and libertarians and hopefully changing the bias itself, or its manifestation.
Is a multi-part series on the Colt Model 1917 Army Revolver inappropriate for a general audience? Well, if you believe guns are scary things which only government agents should control, then yes. If you view then as tools, collectibles, living history, etc., then no. That’s where the values judgment comes in – and it comes in against guns. Would you be okay with your minor seeing this:
YouTube isn’t. They think it should be segregated from regular content and denied ad sharing. The same with Wranglerstar, with half a million videos and features on “Modern Homesteading.” Are axe selection and sharpening so inappropriate? Would you rather have kids watching that or any of the innumerable videos talking about the Kardashians or using video that’s blatantly sexual to sell widgets?
We should all let YouTube know what we think – let them work to provide a great platform and leave the editorializing to those who create the content.
