Hello. My name is Frank. And I’m not an analyst nor have I a YouTube channel.

Seemingly, roughly half the populace of the western hemisphere have YouTube channels and sincerely believe they can competently review and analyze products.

Oddly they’re mimeos of each other’s channels. They all look the same, they all are assembled the same, and bizarrely enough they occasionally sight each other.

(Have you noticed that they’re all trying to differentiate themselves by doing the same thing? Two imperatives: create a distinctive personality/voice and at some point in each episode edit in a 5 second cutaway shot of a “humorous”, self-deprecating remark accompanied with a visual effect distorting their face.)

Most of them haven’t a clue as to what they’re talking about. You might as well be at the bar listening to the person seated next to you.

They don’t know any stats or how to utilize the devices they’re reviewing. They don’t know about things such as dongle’s or workarounds. They’re unaware of the product’s demographics. Yet they spout confidently, basking in the glow of the Internet.

Don’t misunderstand me. They’re a handful of people on YouTube I find knowledgable, IMHO. I follow Rene Ritchie, Marques Brownlee, The Everyday Dad, Zollotech, macmostvideo, Tailosive Tech, Max Tech, to name but a few. Again and again I find their takes spot on. They back-up their content with in-depth research. I suggest you pick who you like (just a handful, after all this isn’t your job) and stick with them. Otherwise, you’re going to waste your time going down a bottomless rabbit hole.

I speak from experience. Every now and again I find myself in that rabbit hole, particularly when a new product is released. I want to hear EVERYONE’S take. And that becomes pointless very quickly.

As an example, I’ve heard so many spouting incorrect information recently regarding the M1 and AirPods Max that my head was spinning. No breaking down of demographics is my biggest pet peeve.

If you don’t agree with me, I point to Apple’s recent decision to remove the included charger in their iPhone packaging. “Pundit” after “pundit” were up in arms. How could Apple do such a stupid thing? And they weren’t alone. Samsung was bragging how their phones STILL came with a charger.

Well, guess what? Samsung just announced that once again they’re following Apple’s lead: they’re discontinuing including a charger in the box. (ASIDE: This isn’t the first time Samsung and the industry have said Apple was misguided in doing something like removing floppies and optical disks, only to following their lead a month or two later. And it won’t be the last time.)

So, have you noticed the same thing. You can’t go out your front door, throw a rock, and not hit a YouTuber?

I know this is nothing but rambling but I had to vent. What’s your take on this? Please leave a comment below.

Be well, be safe.

©2020 Frank Petrie