I’m not doing a no buy, but I have decided this year I will not be buying anything I see on social media. No AG1, or better help, or Teddy Blake, or makeup and hair products… the list goes on and on…
Especially not "better help." If I see an ad every other minute for something I am more likely to develope a seething hatred for it rather than to buy it. Like, I will never get Netflix, Comcast, or Lume deoderant. Ever.
@@lalablotz7348eh-just talking about real bodies with real issues isn’t vulgar. Possibly uncomfortable or unusual. I personally don’t need to see one more bra ad with women jumping up down and touching themselves as if that demonstrates quality or fit. Again, not vulgar, but incredibly silly and unnecessary. I get so tired of advertising.
Thank you Alexa. You are one of the few UA-cam channels I can tolerate. That you for showing us your honest journey and not trying to sell us something! Keep it up, you are an inspiration.
Sigh...remembering how a minimalist influencer I used to watch occasionally had better help as a sponsor. And she actually said something like "while I am lucky enough to not need a therapist, if you do, better help is great" And although it's great she was honest, it hadn't occurred to me before that influencers might not even use the product and still recommend it to their audience. This was after all of the better help scandal too. So I have a hard time believing she wasn't aware of the issues. It really woke me up to the reality of sponsorships, and that was from a minimalist ironically 😂
Oh dear. I find all kinds of possible pitfalls with the statement "lucky enough to not need a therapist" (also tempted to make an irreverent quip about how this minimalist creator has possibly decluttered their feelings to the point of not needing therapy...but I don't want to be disrespectful 😅) but yes, honesty is good
I am old enough to remember where 'influencers' came from. They were born way before youtube era. I remember reading about this in early 2000s, but I'm sure it started even earlier. Marketing teams started targeting local people who had many friends, were socially active and attractive, were fashion forward etc. Those people were called influencers because they had that natural power to influence their closest friends, coworkers. Companies found a great way to use that. Influencers were offered access to limited editions of products, newest drops in exchange of pretending they bought it themselves , showing those in their natural environment and in result making others want it as well. And it was a genius strategy I couldn't understand fully back then. But I remember feeling something was off. Imagine your friend showing you new clothes like a friend would, but suddenly and without your knowledge or consent, this person is no longer your friend, but a sales person. A true connection is being used and abused. Then the internet came and companies could start selling that fake friends to everyone. Devil's work 😉
According to some, one of the first instances of "influencer marketing" was a result of Edward Bernays and his plan to market Lucky Strikes as "torches of freedom" to women at the 1929 Easter Parade in NYC - I think I mentioned this in the review of the book "Wanting", since the author refers to it, but I've seen other creators on youtube also talk about this specific incident as the "beginning of influencer marketing" in some way! I'm sure there are even earlier instances too, of people "influencing" people to want stuff for their own personal gain, it just feels like it's getting more and more blatant and that in the world of "social media," no where is a safe place anymore, and the idea of online friendship has become a bit harder
@@jochenkraus7016 it worked on the same principle, but was different. Those early influencers were not selling you anything directly and were not open about it. My understanding is that they were creating the desire and demand.
35:30 - As I finished watching this video, all I can think about is the Honey Scam. You're asking the right questions. A lot of UA-camrs and Influencers don't even ask these questions about "how are they making their money" and how suspicious an offer might be. Argh!
It’s unfortunate that I have had to unsubscribe from so many great UA-camrs after they became heavily sponsored and their channels slowly shifted to primarily selling. Thanks for not being one of them!
Excellent bottom line, “the need has to come first.” After selling on eBay and Poshmark many pieces of clothing I can no longer wear, I did break down and bought new, comfortable athleisure clothes that fit. However, I was very strategic in buying only a few pieces and of the best quality. I will definitely get good usage out of these pieces. Also selling off items I no longer use, the ratio is 5 used to 1 new piece purchased.
This was so refreshing to watch. I am so very weary of "influenced products" and would be glad to never see one again. There was a UA-camr I enjoyed watching whose content mostly concerned finances, frugal living, and *not* buying a lot of crap one doesn't need. Their channel began shilling AG1 and Helix mattresses and various other brands commonly seen on influencer channels and I quickly unsubscribed. If that's how they want to pad their income, that's fine, but I no longer care to sit through the ads to get to the content I came for. There is also a level of absurdity to it all. Like, for example, I'm watching a content creator to learn about budgeting... why would I want their advice on how to get my greens in every day? At the very least, pitch a budgeting product at me!
@@rachael5025 Exactly! If the product is relevant to the creator's content, I'm fine sitting through their ad (and not buying the thing, haha). When the creator clearly took whatever lucrative opportunity was dangled in front of them, I feel like my time and attention is being manipulated and I bounce.
I think it doesn't feel "icky" to people at least in America because we are encouraged to not care about other people or think about ethical topics deeply. That is a stain on our current day culture at the moment and I hope we grow out of it a bit. I also think it's fairly difficult for disabled people or stay at home parents from a relatively average background to become influencers who make a lot of money because the algorithms only boost "aspirational" people already, who already are creating an online persona of an able bodied, rich and beautiful (usually married but not always, but very often straight and looking to not remain single). Ask any LGBT influencer how much more of an uphill battle it is, or Black creators too.
I think it's even more than "not caring" but also not "getting into anyone's business" or not questioning, because that is infringing on another's "freedom" and that's what America is all about, after all. I struggle with this mentality a bit, not sure if it's because I have lived overseas before. Agreed that it is more difficult for the people who could benefit most from an online career, to build that through influencing. I certainly could not do it if I was trying to make it through "aspirational aesthetic appearances"
I’m not a huge fan of her now either. I find Alexa’s channel more relatable though as I’m a parent too and feel even though I am the same age as Christina she’s a little out of touch
@@Lemonrollcake She has a podcast with other women that’s shown here too. It’s “look at how privileged we are” stuff. I clicked don’t recommend on both of her channels. It’s just fake. There are lots of people it appeals to and that’s fine, but it’s marketed as minimalist, it’s not.
Thank you for that, it's the first time I have seen an explanation of how this "influencer" system works. I find it ironic that some of the minimalist channels I watch have given into temptation(!) and push products. I can see the tempation for sure. People spend a lot of time producing and editing these videos and it must be very tempting to make some extra money from these sponsorships. As a viewer though I find it irritating, as we already pay a premium not to receive ads from UA-cam, and boom, there they are anyway. I try to skip them but they are irritating. Whilst I am not doing a "no-buy" as such I very much want to consume less and develop more healthy habits around what I buy and I find your thoughts on the subject very interesting. I dont think your first no-buy year was a failure because it obviously gave you a lot of insights as to what makes you want certain items and to retrain your brain so to speak. Some of us are what I call "overnighters", i.e. they can adopt an idea straight away, others of us take a lot longer! I am in the second category!
Same, I am definitely not an overnighter, I find I do better when I have developed a much more deep understanding of the reasons behind everything, which takes time!
Flip the script of influencer titles ….please…. I would LOVE THAT! It would expose the absurdity which would further help me break away from their influence. Your natural wit is perfect for this assignment.
It's so fascinating that the brands you show were also ones that reached out to me once I hit about 1000 subs too! Similar to you... I have said 'no' so far to all collabs because I disagree with their sustainability and ethics.
I don't actually care at all if an influencer is not a genuine fan of the product they are pushing. I never view the sponsorships as genuine recommendations, it's just a business deal between the influencer and the company. I get to view the content for free, and in exchange I tolerate (or jump over) whatever sponsorship has been chosen. As long as it's a normal product promo and not something illegal/political/racist etc., I don't mind if the influencer only agreed to do it for money. That's my expectation anyway.
I always appreciate influencers who have timestamps for the sponsor ad so we could skip them when we want to. 😂 although I have unfollowed influencers like LJT who do styling tip videos that feel like a brand showcase rather than a means to educate
I'm much the same when watching content I genuinely appreciate, no problem skipping the ads in return for a well-thought-out video, so I get this point of view too. ] I think as a creator though I also enjoy the freedom I feel, of getting to create "not-great" content because I'm not paid for it by an outside source 😅 - or retain full creative control, and also the topic of my space here is very much NOT compatible with suggestions that buying something might be helpful
Agreed but it still makes me a little sad that is how their opinions and time become valuable enough. I appreciate that brand deals give them a means to be able to afford the time and energy that goes into creating content and sharing their real opinions on other things.
I actually still have the acceptance letter from the TU in Berlin somewhere in my papers ❤ Didn’t study there but in another city but sometimes I think „What if…?“ I am really thankful that this channel stays a hobby for you, providing community. Feels genuine eben if you did the monetization. I will accept some partnerships in videos but I am very happy for every channel without them or a channel only working with a brand that doesn’t demand to be bragged about in every other video (like a board game channel I follow that is always supported by a specialized board game shop but doesn’t have to say it in every video - affiliate links and a logo at the end of the video are enough). Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and insights with us!
Your way of thinking is really valuable and refreshing!❤ From an outsider i think the polene is just as recognised as LV by people who like handbags. It's extremely instagram famous and everywhere in big cities. Just with the type that doesnt want the name on the item i think its with the " if you know you know " crowd.
For January it'll be more like 3x a week, possibly with a week of 4x...I can't promise they'll all be "good" though! Just ideas I have to get out of my mind 😆
28:34 I'd agree that it's very predatory. Betterhelp sponsorships are the biggest red flag for me since their past is so easy to research and find online. I also generally get an icky feeling when youtubers sponsor supplements, therapy tools, financial tools, ...etc. And ultimately if youtubers know ahead of time that a company has a troublesome past (but collaborates anyways), I'll stop watching their content. Thankfully that hasn't happened too often. I feel a bit less negative about product reviews if it relates to the creator's work, and if the company does not require the creator to offer a positive opinion. It's absolutely still an ad, but it at least feels like the creator can offer their insight and expertise. (Ex: Digital artists reviewing art software.) Generally I much prefer seeing online creators go down the self-funding path - Ko-fi, Patreon, UA-cam memberships ...etc. instead. But as someone who also does online work, I still feel a bit of guilt for advertising those things, even if it's my main source of income. ("Lesser evil" I suppose)
I was watching a video yesterday about trends for 2025 by an influencer that I used to watch regularly. She said we should care about trends because it makes us feel more confident and capable when we dress trendy. I immediately wondered what you would say to that! Can you do a video addressing the question of whether we should try to keep up with trends? I do have to say that I wore a polka dot skirt to church today and felt somewhat stylish because polka dots were mentioned in the video. But is this just something influencers say to keep us in the revolving door of fashion and consumerism? I think I know what you would say, but I would be interested to hear you discuss the topic because your insights always help. The video was by Marnie Goldberg if you want to give it a watch.
Oh, polka dots are trendy again? Good to know I’m trendy again wearing my 2009 dress… that’s what I think about caring for trends. They come and go. Style stays. Nobody said something negative when I wore that dress in 2017 - because I liked it and felt dressed up and confident in it. That’s not bound to a current trend. If you feel great and accomplished in a certain piece you won’t stop feeling this when the trend is over. Of course you can use some trends as inspiration, finding what really brings you joy. For me such a trend I really used was cottage core. I toned it a bit down for my style but since then I have a few great flowery skirts that go with my favorite tops and a sewing book to make dresses and skirts in this style in the future ❤ Yes, cottage core isn’t that trendy anymore but this doesn’t change my love to these few pieces. If you care to much about trends the feeling of accomplishment and style wouldn’t come from inside - and would change too often with the pressure to update your wardrobe every season. And the danger of rather downgrading it by flooding it with trendy things you don’t really love. I think maybe she got this view from opposing the sustainability influencers that actively avoid trends and only promote wearing basics. For me that’s not an option as basics never evoke the feeling of being accomplished and styled the same way as my colourful skirts or well made dresses.
This is an interesting question, I'm going to add this to the list of ideas for sure since it does feel personally very relevant as far as my grapplings with "style" and "interest" in trends without feeling the "influence" to buy things I would not have otherwise thought I liked, wanted, or bought. I don't know that I'll ever have a "definitive answer" but I am finding more and more that the "type" of fashion I'm interested in is never directly related to a trend - it's becoming more of the personal/storytelling elements that endure over time in a wardrobe, rather than the continual rotation of patterns and silhouettes that interest me more. While these things can be discovered due to the trends presenting them to us, and therefore they can be bought, they can only really be bought a few times rather than continually, because the "rest of the story" of style comes from our repeated wear of the clothing. Just where I'm at personally, I do think for some people it still brings joy to be aware of and participate in the "trends of society", and I'm not entirely sure whether that should be "fought against" in favor of stronger personal style- or possibly, to what extent we should fight this, in the interests of more sustainable consumerism. Those are my initial thoughts, anyway - fair warning that a trend-specific video response may be awhile in coming, depending on how organized I can get 😅
I don’t look at this as you complaining, to me you are helping to educate us on how this stuff works. What goes on behind the scenes so to speak. Definitely has helped me to not make future purchases. With the exception of one or two things that I bought due to an influencer I have regretted buying everything. And luckily I haven’t bought much anyway, mostly makeup/beauty products.
Thank you - I just don't like to slip into calling companies and products "useless crap" since that gets into pretty black and white thinking - and while I do sometimes think like that "in real life," I don't love modeling it online since that's the kind of opinion that comes back to spite!
24:40 The only thing unboxings are useful for, is when you have a device you want to sell and need to know how it came packed. If you still have the original packaging of course...
My personal pet peeve are "content" creators, that start visible using a certain brand on their channel and telling how much they love it just to get attention from said brand and then a sponsorship. I think of one person particular who did this with a fresh produce food subscription box. Suddenly she included them in their vlogs (has a main and a vlog channel) and I immediately knew what her intention was. And it worked out, she got her sponsorship, even now, years later she is still sponsored. There is this perfume subscription brand that fell out of favour last year because the CEO is a whack job. The usual demographic was beauty/fashion (and probably perfume) content creators with a significant subscriber number. I guess those pulled then out of their contract, when this came more widespreadly known. Then suddenly, channels that had nothing to do with beauty/fashion and had less subscribers started to push that said perfume subscription. For example movie review channels. But what my point is, a vlog channel I watch regularly also made an ad for them, and I know she has a management (I actually watch three people that do NY vlogs who are all under the same management). Why did none of them google that brand once? There are threads on reddit, there are reviews online. Or did they?
Sooo many shady ads... And the "rigging" of the system is definitely a bit shady too. Although if an influencer would really like for X brand to sponsor them, they do really like and use those products. So at least they're a fan and not just faking it?
I have POTS and tracking my vitals with a watch has been helpful for me but I also made it 34 years without it so I still don't think it's a must have or a need for even me with a lifelong chronic illness. Have I been wanting it for five plus years and I'm obsessed with it? Yes. Do I think I could live happily without it? Also Yes.
I have to say we love Mint Mobile. We've had it for two years now and never had an issue with coverage anywhere we've gone. Including the mountains of North Carolina in a very rual area. It's basically you pay for three month at a time but honestly our bill every three months is less than our monthly Verizon bill was and our service has been better.
Agreed that I could definitely live without the tracking on my watch! And I'm actually not against Mint Mobile and I can't say I'd never actually switch, myself (it probably would be a bit cheaper!), but, I have seen influencers sponsored by them and they don't mention that it's paying a few months upfront, yes the plans start at $15/month but they also might be slightly more than that, and not being able to 100% control the ad-script is kind of what makes me wary of that kind of sponsorship even of a "good" product or company! Glad to hear it does work well!
@@Alexas.nobuyyear I agree and honestly we switched to Mint mobile before the influencer deals really started. And the influencer deals probably would have sketched me out if that had been a thing when we got our plan. It just happened to be what we could afford at the time and ended up actually being a great service. I guess I was more just putting it out there that they aren't a scam. I do wish the marketing tactics were less scammy from cellular providers across the board. I feel like every phone plan (or internet/tv/ect) I've ever looked at in depth is not like what it seemed in the mailer or commercial we got. Almost to the point that I eyeroll when I see the ads. We deserve better honestly.
While starting saying how much i like your channel and your honesty on the whole ' no buy project', may i just ask you why you didn't like the Nordgren watch cause it was one of the very few times i have been this close to buying something influenced to me.... Love from 🇮🇹
For me, I actually don't wear or use watches very much, I currently have a fitness watch partly for the purpose of tracking heart rate (for temporary health issues) and generally I do not change watches or jewelry, so for me it was just a waste of money to buy. The straps are also too large for me (the smallest hole is still too big). The ability to change straps is nice, but not actually as important to me as I thought (to change the look of the color, etc, I am much more comfortable to keep it the same than use mental energy to match with outfits, etc). Part of it is because I play a musical instrument, so wearing a watch is sometimes distracting. It's not a bad watch or anything, I do still have it, although I am wondering if I should try to pass it onto someone who would use it more than I do! I haven't decided yet, so I may still keep and use mine.
Good to know it does work! Not saying I'll never actually switch to mint mobile myself, just not through a paid opportunity with limited freedom-of-script
Deinfluencing and make 'unsure people' be more content with what they have would be totally cool and popular. Today's world needs that unfortunately. Label it whatever, but it is a needed message. Reject the norm, refuse to play along with destructive objectives.
in response to your question about doing more "complainy" content, I don't know if I'd watch too much of those kind of videos. They are interesting on occasion. But I find more value in dissecting the why of things. Or if one does complain about a problem, trying to find solutions to that problem. I also don't understand how people don't feel more icky about selling so many of these products. Most of them seem like a scam. Just a few years ago there were endless ads for meal subscription services. I almost never see an ad for those things anymore. If the product is so great, why don't you see them around anymore? Where did they all go? This huge push for influencer marketing feels very "thou doth protest too much."
It's a great point about trying to find practical solutions if we are going to complain - that's one of the reasons I don't feel totally comfortable criticizing even the more "known problems" (systems like capitalism?), without any offer for or knowledge of a better alternative myself. And I'm not also not sure if I could/would realistically make many "complaining" videos either - I think most of the "opposite scripts" are actually going to be presented more organically on this channel as I unlearn the narratives for myself, but presented through the lens of my personal "video-journals" as it were.
About that bit where you spoke about the editing, thumbnail, dubbing and subbing services... You talk about it being all you and yeah that IS great! However, I do want to mention that subtitles are not a tool to rig the algorithm in your favour, but an accessibility issue. Deaf and hard of hearing people, but also non-natives and other people who benefit from subtitles, are not to be overlooked. For some, goos subtitles are the only thing making videos accessible to them
I'm not sure I intended to mention subtitles, if I did it was in error! Apologies! I think I had a few verbal slip-ups in this video. It's also not that I don't want to be more accessible, but realistically I cannot pay to engage every language-dubbing service out there to be fully accessible, so how am I to pick and choose? And if I prioritize one, what about the others? I find it a bit of a tricky line to draw. I have also had success on the other end as a viewer, using youtube-generated subtitles when I watch other content, so hopefully those are doing an okay job with my videos too, for those who need or prefer them on
@@Alexas.nobuyyear for me the line would be between adding /having added subtitles and getting dubbed. Subs are fairly easy, true to the content and already add SO much accessibility to so many people. (Ofc I'm talking about English subs, not having them translated) Automatically generated subs do seem to get better, but are still clearly inferior - especially for those who can't hear at all
@@Avi2Nyan The automatic translation is handy to show videos to others who don't speak the language. Translation is hit or miss, but it's easier than explaining everything.
I switched to U.S. Mobile. It's not as cheap as other low-cost providers, but still cheaper than when I had Verizon. US Mobile has access to all three networks, so you can switch if the first network you select doesn't have the best coverage. They have an option to get full priority access to the Verizon network (these low-cost options are always deprioritized).
I agree with your commentary here, but I want to point out, having glasses is (potentially) more sustainable than contacts, which are plastic, have more packaging, and don’t biodegrade and last a much, much shorter time, so I found the glasses < contacts a bit of an argument flaw. I don’t think there’s a right answer here.
I agree ! Moreover, some people can't wear contacts because of the state of their cornea. For example, my eyes are too fragile, it would be unsafe for me to wear contacts regularly uu
Agreed that it's not a universal solution nor was I intending to recommend or argue for contacts over glasses as a general rule - was speaking purely from personal experience, and was intending to be speaking about why someone may not find a solution in this specific brand of glasses, rather than glasses in general. Apologies if that was unclear. The point of mentioning contacts at all is that if someone out there would choose contacts regardless of if they bought this specific brand of glasses, as I sometimes do, it would not be a wise purchase for them. Personal context -I find it significantly easier and more comfortable to do my job (as a musician, seeing the music and the conductor etc.) with contacts rather than glasses, so I will always have some available for days I go to work, but it takes me 2 years+ to get through a "1 year supply" because I don't wear them everyday. I agree it's a lot of plastic and if I was trying for maximum sustainability (not there yet) maybe I'd just learn to deal with the glasses all the time.
Not all contacts are disposable! Glass ones are much smaller than glasses too, so they're definitely more sustainable if you take care of them. And they never go out of style. And it also really depends on the style of lenses, even if they're soft. Day lenses are of course different and more wasteful than year long ones. And depending on the glasses and frame, those materials can be very bad to mine and mold, especially metals
Great video. Well thought out and entertaining. I check the authenticity of people preaching no or low buy on how many affiliate links they have under each video. One well known Minimalist has just posted this years no buy / buy nothing (as per every year) and although still chelping about not spending, her video has affiliate links to Amazon and a jewellery brand, amongst others in the info box. To me, this is wrong on many levels as well as being hypocritical.
I realise it takes a lot of work to make content and people need to earn a living. However, I can’t help the sinking feeling of disappointment when they segue into marketing, especially when they are someone who is very ethical & environmentally & socially conscious. Even if they’re marketing an “ethical” clothing brand.
Don't judge me ... I am looking for the pencil holder on amazon while watching the video lol But I am proud of myself because instead of buying it immediately, I left it in the shopping cart...for now. Baby steps count😅
Because you asked what your viewers think, I’m not a big fan of “flip the script” type videos (or deinfluencing, rants, or other names for similar content). I find that content can show black or white thinking, be overly negative, attract harsh comments, and be focused on trends and stuff (even if it’s trying to dissuade those things). Those videos can feel a bit like high school debate class-simply arguing the opposite point of the other person/team in order to “win” rather than trying to think critically and collaboratively. To be clear, I appreciate nuanced discussions about important topics and believe some criticism/negativity can be useful. But I generally don’t click on deinfluencing videos similar to how I don’t click on haul videos.
Thank you for sharing! I just wrote in another reply here that I'm definitely not a fan of black and white thinking or flippant negativity, which is part of why I caught myself in this video here calling one of these products "crappy", and tried to make amends 😅 I may experiment with one deinfluencing video soon (I did have a few requests for this) just in the realms of viewer recommendations, and see how it feels - and pledge to remain nuanced. No hard feelings if that one's not for you, though - it won't become the mainstay over here as I'm much more comfortable within the realms of my personal reflections and responses. Actually I'm a bit worried that a video like that from me would be 2 hrs of going through all the possible scenarios, to try not to fall prey to expedient generalizations
I'd be careful with the 'opposite influencer' videos. I think everyone knows that no one _needs_ luxury items or brand new wardrobe, but it's simply a treat or entertainment, depending on if you're the buyer or the watcher. The opposing videos might be then viewed as complaing for the sake of complaining, criticising or making fun of certain influencers or just as unnecessary complaining. It might just push people to being defensive instead of being more open to listen and learn from you as they do with your current content. Probably would also attract more negative comments as well. 🤔
Agreed! Thank you for this. I'd never do it with specific influencers in mind, although I do see how I may have flown a bit close to the sun there by commenting on it in relation to videos shown in this video here (although I don't know the videos specifically, I still had the thumbnails shown that were in my email, and I wasn't intending to criticize those influencers themselves!) And as it turns out, I think I don't even need to purposely try to present the opposite, it's kind of happening through my own "organic" mentality shifts and my own realizations that "style maybe isn't as important" or "luxury means paying for not-the-product" etc., so I don't think I'll ever do it intentionally as far as "taking inspiration directly" from something someone else created, on purpose. Incidentally I have noticed that the videos where I list what I'm "mad" about DO get the comments that are most negative and/or pointing out that I'm complaining, and while I might be okay with that on the odd occasion, it's not really what I'm about over here 😆
It is easier having morals when your not poor, not comparing, not greedy, not jealous, not suffering in general. Most people on earth is suffering so that is a big problem.
Absolutely! But trying to become an influencer is rarely an easy and reliable way to make money And most influencers promoting these things are not poor. Not all of them are super rich, of course, but many definitely are not destitute
Yes! I can't remember if I actually made a dedicated video on this yet, but one of my main "no buy challenge" words of caution or advice, is to try and take care of oneself in every other way first and during, because even something like being sleep-deprived can make life in general much harder, let alone being poor or mentally isolated.
If you decide to do specific flip the script videos to comment on society please keep in mind that you will be going beyond the outlines of what works for you. And where right or wrong you might attract online negativity because you will be dipping your toes into politics. It's a whole other blood sport in that world.
I think I didn't know exactly what I might have been referring to with "flip the script" videos - definitely would not try to comment on society at large with something like this, nor would I argue with specific other creators - I was referring more to my own little bubble of seeing "do this for better style" and the videos I now feel drawn to making which are more like "maybe we don't actually need better style" 😅 honestly the extent that I'll do stuff like that is probably already going to happen, I won't have to try to do it on purpose! Either way I will tread carefully - thank you for the advice!
Wow - I was only aware of "Kimono" as the brand name Kim Kardashion almost used for her clothing (aside from the traditional Japanese use), didn't realize it was an actual company (I realize Kim+ono is slightly different!)
@ I stumbled across it years ago and considered ordering a long robe from them for a while. Never did cause I was worried they are quite long and I am short lol
i will say right from the start, i didnt watch your whole video, if i dont like something i cannot force myself, so judge me all you want, i judge too :) food for thought, there is a point in life when ethics and moral high ground can be taken to above comfort levels, there is a line between having those and being stuck on a high horse, you could think about it, or not, your life. i am saying this because, although my financial situation is good, and i am not a greedy bastard, for some reason, if someone else tells me, alright, you're good now, you must start giving money away just because someone else also needs it and you only have morals and ethics if you do, if you dont you suck. is not how ethics and morals go? what are you talking about? here is something, never ever in your life stop thinking about the future, if you are in a financial situation where you can afford to part with a significant amount of money every month, you invest in your old age most importantly, consult with a professional and see what is a minimal risk way to invest so your money doesnt lose value over time, you look at all the ways you can make passive income. only after that you can start thinking about charity, and is not morally wrong, no income is stable, at any point you can be fired, be cancelled, etc. and here is another food for thought, even if i become a millionaire, charity is not my responsibility, being correct and legal 100% is morally right and enough. is not my fault governments fail, it is not my responsability to pick up a country leaders' slack, it is not my burden. who manipulated us into thinking it is our responsability to do other people's jobs. you might argue, yes but charity orgs literally saves lives. if those charity orgs wouldnt exists and if people started making governments accountable things would change, but as long as this bullshit victim blaming works(cause this is what it is, a form of victim blaming, making average people feel guilty for not donating, for not doing more, when they themselves are the victims of greedy faulty leadership) things will never change. what is morally right? making the right people accountable, the ones enforcing the system which creates the unfortunate, or tricking your average hard working person thinking is their fault for things not being better for the unfortunate ones?
No worries, and no judgement! You're definitely not going to like what I have to say in a video coming next week, where I also actually donate some money to charity 😆 I don't know whether morals and ethics are a concrete thing, but I continuously feel drawn to the idea of "trying to do good" no matter what level I am currently at, income wise. It might not be my active responsibility but I am starting to believe that I don't feel guilty for not donating, but I may feel better if I do - something like that. It's perhaps even for selfish reasons of my own inner contentment rather than exterior guilt or fault for the way things are.
@@Alexas.nobuyyear oh, dont get me wrong, your personal choices are yours, when i was talking in my comment about what "you" should do is just in general, not you specifically. i dont hate, i get riled up. and just to be a devils advocate, what you are saying is exactly the type brain washing i was talking about. not feeling guilty if you dont but feeling better if you do, isnt it the same thing? according to psychology every act of good will is selfish - it makes us feel better - compared to not doing it. but if it were just the same not doing it you wouldnt feel the need to "feel better" by doing it. but, coming back to my main point, the one that got to me, your personal choice is one thing, considering people with money in general owe charity is not morally right or ethical. morals and ethics are relative just like good and bad, but there are certain values that stand universally regardless. my financial situation doesnt owe anyone anything, and nobody has the right to call out anyone on this, regardless of your own personal choices and prerogatives.
I'm perhaps a bit confused here since this video appears to the the one where my main point wasn't about donating money one has earned, but preventing taking advantage of others through pursuit of earning more money, possibly at their expense. It's possible I radically mis-communicated, but my intended point was that we can't achieve positive connection with other humans if we don't have some moral standards to not take advantage of people who may be in a vulnerable state. I'll also never say that I'm not brainwashed! But hoping to lean into the positive brainwashing rather than the negative
@@Alexas.nobuyyear you touched at the beginning "the morality of money" idea as you called it, and whrn is someone making a certain amount that is morally right to start helping others or something along that line, that was my whole point on talking about. That one that seems so wrong. And no, no brain wash is good, that's why I am saying please read my comments again, I feel we are talking about separate things. I know you're busy, I get it, we don't need to go back and forth here but just think about it.
I’m not doing a no buy, but I have decided this year I will not be buying anything I see on social media. No AG1, or better help, or Teddy Blake, or makeup and hair products… the list goes on and on…
Especially not "better help." If I see an ad every other minute for something I am more likely to develope a seething hatred for it rather than to buy it. Like, I will never get Netflix, Comcast, or Lume deoderant. Ever.
This is a great rule
@@KellyNora-p8q OMG the Lume deodorant ads are just awful. Probably the most vulgar out there right now.
@@lalablotz7348eh-just talking about real bodies with real issues isn’t vulgar. Possibly uncomfortable or unusual. I personally don’t need to see one more bra ad with women jumping up down and touching themselves as if that demonstrates quality or fit. Again, not vulgar, but incredibly silly and unnecessary. I get so tired of advertising.
@@KellyNora-p8q yeah, BetterHelp is so awful!
Thank you Alexa. You are one of the few UA-cam channels I can tolerate. That you for showing us your honest journey and not trying to sell us something! Keep it up, you are an inspiration.
happy to be of tolerable service! 🥰 hehe
Sigh...remembering how a minimalist influencer I used to watch occasionally had better help as a sponsor. And she actually said something like "while I am lucky enough to not need a therapist, if you do, better help is great"
And although it's great she was honest, it hadn't occurred to me before that influencers might not even use the product and still recommend it to their audience. This was after all of the better help scandal too. So I have a hard time believing she wasn't aware of the issues.
It really woke me up to the reality of sponsorships, and that was from a minimalist ironically 😂
Oh dear. I find all kinds of possible pitfalls with the statement "lucky enough to not need a therapist" (also tempted to make an irreverent quip about how this minimalist creator has possibly decluttered their feelings to the point of not needing therapy...but I don't want to be disrespectful 😅) but yes, honesty is good
I am old enough to remember where 'influencers' came from. They were born way before youtube era. I remember reading about this in early 2000s, but I'm sure it started even earlier. Marketing teams started targeting local people who had many friends, were socially active and attractive, were fashion forward etc. Those people were called influencers because they had that natural power to influence their closest friends, coworkers. Companies found a great way to use that. Influencers were offered access to limited editions of products, newest drops in exchange of pretending they bought it themselves , showing those in their natural environment and in result making others want it as well.
And it was a genius strategy I couldn't understand fully back then. But I remember feeling something was off. Imagine your friend showing you new clothes like a friend would, but suddenly and without your knowledge or consent, this person is no longer your friend, but a sales person. A true connection is being used and abused. Then the internet came and companies could start selling that fake friends to everyone. Devil's work 😉
According to some, one of the first instances of "influencer marketing" was a result of Edward Bernays and his plan to market Lucky Strikes as "torches of freedom" to women at the 1929 Easter Parade in NYC - I think I mentioned this in the review of the book "Wanting", since the author refers to it, but I've seen other creators on youtube also talk about this specific incident as the "beginning of influencer marketing" in some way!
I'm sure there are even earlier instances too, of people "influencing" people to want stuff for their own personal gain, it just feels like it's getting more and more blatant and that in the world of "social media," no where is a safe place anymore, and the idea of online friendship has become a bit harder
Isn't "people with friends" or coworkers etc. how MLMs work?
It screams MLM vibes and I totally agree 😂 catchups with them felt like transactions and sketchy seminars with these people
@@jochenkraus7016 I was thinking the same thing
@@jochenkraus7016 it worked on the same principle, but was different. Those early influencers were not selling you anything directly and were not open about it. My understanding is that they were creating the desire and demand.
35:30 - As I finished watching this video, all I can think about is the Honey Scam. You're asking the right questions. A lot of UA-camrs and Influencers don't even ask these questions about "how are they making their money" and how suspicious an offer might be. Argh!
I JUST saw something about this, and WOW, is all I have to say about that
It’s unfortunate that I have had to unsubscribe from so many great UA-camrs after they became heavily sponsored and their channels slowly shifted to primarily selling. Thanks for not being one of them!
I do feel this has become multilevel marketing 2.0.
That's a very astute way to think about it. I would agree, it does feel very mlm-y!
That is a brilliant way to put it.
Excellent bottom line, “the need has to come first.” After selling on eBay and Poshmark many pieces of clothing I can no longer wear, I did break down and bought new, comfortable athleisure clothes that fit. However, I was very strategic in buying only a few pieces and of the best quality. I will definitely get good usage out of these pieces. Also selling off items I no longer use, the ratio is 5 used to 1 new piece purchased.
This was so refreshing to watch. I am so very weary of "influenced products" and would be glad to never see one again. There was a UA-camr I enjoyed watching whose content mostly concerned finances, frugal living, and *not* buying a lot of crap one doesn't need. Their channel began shilling AG1 and Helix mattresses and various other brands commonly seen on influencer channels and I quickly unsubscribed. If that's how they want to pad their income, that's fine, but I no longer care to sit through the ads to get to the content I came for. There is also a level of absurdity to it all. Like, for example, I'm watching a content creator to learn about budgeting... why would I want their advice on how to get my greens in every day? At the very least, pitch a budgeting product at me!
i dont mind an ad for a matress from my fav asmr podcast. im not interested in an ag1 ad from the yt channel that discusses politics and the news.
@@rachael5025 Exactly! If the product is relevant to the creator's content, I'm fine sitting through their ad (and not buying the thing, haha). When the creator clearly took whatever lucrative opportunity was dangled in front of them, I feel like my time and attention is being manipulated and I bounce.
I think it doesn't feel "icky" to people at least in America because we are encouraged to not care about other people or think about ethical topics deeply. That is a stain on our current day culture at the moment and I hope we grow out of it a bit. I also think it's fairly difficult for disabled people or stay at home parents from a relatively average background to become influencers who make a lot of money because the algorithms only boost "aspirational" people already, who already are creating an online persona of an able bodied, rich and beautiful (usually married but not always, but very often straight and looking to not remain single). Ask any LGBT influencer how much more of an uphill battle it is, or Black creators too.
I think it's even more than "not caring" but also not "getting into anyone's business" or not questioning, because that is infringing on another's "freedom" and that's what America is all about, after all. I struggle with this mentality a bit, not sure if it's because I have lived overseas before.
Agreed that it is more difficult for the people who could benefit most from an online career, to build that through influencing. I certainly could not do it if I was trying to make it through "aspirational aesthetic appearances"
Christina Mychas just posted a video on no buy/low buy where she promotes her minimalist-ish journal. I couldn’t believe it.
I stopped subscribing to her channel when this started
I’m not a huge fan of her now either. I find Alexa’s channel more relatable though as I’m a parent too and feel even though I am the same age as Christina she’s a little out of touch
she gives me 'im not selling you anything buuuuut' vibes
Well, I guess her supportive fans are instantly failing their no-buy.
@@Lemonrollcake She has a podcast with other women that’s shown here too. It’s “look at how privileged we are” stuff. I clicked don’t recommend on both of her channels. It’s just fake. There are lots of people it appeals to and that’s fine, but it’s marketed as minimalist, it’s not.
"Home grown!" This channel is so you! No other creator could achieve this same level of purity and empathy! No taint! Just straight talk!
5:00 I see this culture of influencing as a modern day ponzi scheme without the recruitment portion. Reminds me of Amway, etc.
Thank you for that, it's the first time I have seen an explanation of how this "influencer" system works. I find it ironic that some of the minimalist channels I watch have given into temptation(!) and push products. I can see the tempation for sure. People spend a lot of time producing and editing these videos and it must be very tempting to make some extra money from these sponsorships. As a viewer though I find it irritating, as we already pay a premium not to receive ads from UA-cam, and boom, there they are anyway. I try to skip them but they are irritating.
Whilst I am not doing a "no-buy" as such I very much want to consume less and develop more healthy habits around what I buy and I find your thoughts on the subject very interesting. I dont think your first no-buy year was a failure because it obviously gave you a lot of insights as to what makes you want certain items and to retrain your brain so to speak. Some of us are what I call "overnighters", i.e. they can adopt an idea straight away, others of us take a lot longer! I am in the second category!
Same, I am definitely not an overnighter, I find I do better when I have developed a much more deep understanding of the reasons behind everything, which takes time!
Alexa, I do so appreciate watching a content provider that isn't isn't trying to sell/influencing me.
Flip the script of influencer titles ….please…. I would LOVE THAT! It would expose the absurdity which would further help me break away from their influence. Your natural wit is perfect for this assignment.
Absolutely
We'll see! If I attempt, I would like to try and keep it "gentle" - not trying to start any rap battles here😆
It's so fascinating that the brands you show were also ones that reached out to me once I hit about 1000 subs too! Similar to you... I have said 'no' so far to all collabs because I disagree with their sustainability and ethics.
Also yes, we want a sassy Alexa to roast influencer marketing 👏
😄
Hell yes 😂
I could watch whole videos of just this.
I don't actually care at all if an influencer is not a genuine fan of the product they are pushing. I never view the sponsorships as genuine recommendations, it's just a business deal between the influencer and the company. I get to view the content for free, and in exchange I tolerate (or jump over) whatever sponsorship has been chosen. As long as it's a normal product promo and not something illegal/political/racist etc., I don't mind if the influencer only agreed to do it for money. That's my expectation anyway.
I always appreciate influencers who have timestamps for the sponsor ad so we could skip them when we want to. 😂 although I have unfollowed influencers like LJT who do styling tip videos that feel like a brand showcase rather than a means to educate
I'm much the same when watching content I genuinely appreciate, no problem skipping the ads in return for a well-thought-out video, so I get this point of view too. ]
I think as a creator though I also enjoy the freedom I feel, of getting to create "not-great" content because I'm not paid for it by an outside source 😅 - or retain full creative control, and also the topic of my space here is very much NOT compatible with suggestions that buying something might be helpful
Agreed but it still makes me a little sad that is how their opinions and time become valuable enough. I appreciate that brand deals give them a means to be able to afford the time and energy that goes into creating content and sharing their real opinions on other things.
Thanks for being a model of integrity! I loved this video!
I actually still have the acceptance letter from the TU in Berlin somewhere in my papers ❤ Didn’t study there but in another city but sometimes I think „What if…?“
I am really thankful that this channel stays a hobby for you, providing community. Feels genuine eben if you did the monetization. I will accept some partnerships in videos but I am very happy for every channel without them or a channel only working with a brand that doesn’t demand to be bragged about in every other video (like a board game channel I follow that is always supported by a specialized board game shop but doesn’t have to say it in every video - affiliate links and a logo at the end of the video are enough).
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and insights with us!
Your way of thinking is really valuable and refreshing!❤
From an outsider i think the polene is just as recognised as LV by people who like handbags. It's extremely instagram famous and everywhere in big cities. Just with the type that doesnt want the name on the item i think its with the " if you know you know " crowd.
Woah bonus video this week! I thought it was going to be 2x a week 😂
For January it'll be more like 3x a week, possibly with a week of 4x...I can't promise they'll all be "good" though! Just ideas I have to get out of my mind 😆
28:34 I'd agree that it's very predatory. Betterhelp sponsorships are the biggest red flag for me since their past is so easy to research and find online. I also generally get an icky feeling when youtubers sponsor supplements, therapy tools, financial tools, ...etc. And ultimately if youtubers know ahead of time that a company has a troublesome past (but collaborates anyways), I'll stop watching their content. Thankfully that hasn't happened too often.
I feel a bit less negative about product reviews if it relates to the creator's work, and if the company does not require the creator to offer a positive opinion. It's absolutely still an ad, but it at least feels like the creator can offer their insight and expertise. (Ex: Digital artists reviewing art software.)
Generally I much prefer seeing online creators go down the self-funding path - Ko-fi, Patreon, UA-cam memberships ...etc. instead. But as someone who also does online work, I still feel a bit of guilt for advertising those things, even if it's my main source of income. ("Lesser evil" I suppose)
I was watching a video yesterday about trends for 2025 by an influencer that I used to watch regularly. She said we should care about trends because it makes us feel more confident and capable when we dress trendy. I immediately wondered what you would say to that! Can you do a video addressing the question of whether we should try to keep up with trends? I do have to say that I wore a polka dot skirt to church today and felt somewhat stylish because polka dots were mentioned in the video. But is this just something influencers say to keep us in the revolving door of fashion and consumerism? I think I know what you would say, but I would be interested to hear you discuss the topic because your insights always help. The video was by Marnie Goldberg if you want to give it a watch.
Oh, polka dots are trendy again? Good to know I’m trendy again wearing my 2009 dress… that’s what I think about caring for trends. They come and go. Style stays. Nobody said something negative when I wore that dress in 2017 - because I liked it and felt dressed up and confident in it. That’s not bound to a current trend. If you feel great and accomplished in a certain piece you won’t stop feeling this when the trend is over. Of course you can use some trends as inspiration, finding what really brings you joy. For me such a trend I really used was cottage core. I toned it a bit down for my style but since then I have a few great flowery skirts that go with my favorite tops and a sewing book to make dresses and skirts in this style in the future ❤
Yes, cottage core isn’t that trendy anymore but this doesn’t change my love to these few pieces. If you care to much about trends the feeling of accomplishment and style wouldn’t come from inside - and would change too often with the pressure to update your wardrobe every season. And the danger of rather downgrading it by flooding it with trendy things you don’t really love.
I think maybe she got this view from opposing the sustainability influencers that actively avoid trends and only promote wearing basics. For me that’s not an option as basics never evoke the feeling of being accomplished and styled the same way as my colourful skirts or well made dresses.
This is an interesting question, I'm going to add this to the list of ideas for sure since it does feel personally very relevant as far as my grapplings with "style" and "interest" in trends without feeling the "influence" to buy things I would not have otherwise thought I liked, wanted, or bought.
I don't know that I'll ever have a "definitive answer" but I am finding more and more that the "type" of fashion I'm interested in is never directly related to a trend - it's becoming more of the personal/storytelling elements that endure over time in a wardrobe, rather than the continual rotation of patterns and silhouettes that interest me more. While these things can be discovered due to the trends presenting them to us, and therefore they can be bought, they can only really be bought a few times rather than continually, because the "rest of the story" of style comes from our repeated wear of the clothing. Just where I'm at personally, I do think for some people it still brings joy to be aware of and participate in the "trends of society", and I'm not entirely sure whether that should be "fought against" in favor of stronger personal style- or possibly, to what extent we should fight this, in the interests of more sustainable consumerism.
Those are my initial thoughts, anyway - fair warning that a trend-specific video response may be awhile in coming, depending on how organized I can get 😅
@ Looking forward to it:)
I don’t look at this as you complaining, to me you are helping to educate us on how this stuff works. What goes on behind the scenes so to speak. Definitely has helped me to not make future purchases. With the exception of one or two things that I bought due to an influencer I have regretted buying everything. And luckily I haven’t bought much anyway, mostly makeup/beauty products.
Yess! These kinds of videos are some of my favourite as they are very informative and help provide context to the whole of the influencer sphere
Thank you - I just don't like to slip into calling companies and products "useless crap" since that gets into pretty black and white thinking - and while I do sometimes think like that "in real life," I don't love modeling it online since that's the kind of opinion that comes back to spite!
24:40 The only thing unboxings are useful for, is when you have a device you want to sell and need to know how it came packed.
If you still have the original packaging of course...
Didn't think of that one, I guess that's true!
It's the same use if you don't have it yet. What does it look like, what's included, see angles that aren't shown in product pictures, etc.
My personal pet peeve are "content" creators, that start visible using a certain brand on their channel and telling how much they love it just to get attention from said brand and then a sponsorship. I think of one person particular who did this with a fresh produce food subscription box. Suddenly she included them in their vlogs (has a main and a vlog channel) and I immediately knew what her intention was. And it worked out, she got her sponsorship, even now, years later she is still sponsored.
There is this perfume subscription brand that fell out of favour last year because the CEO is a whack job. The usual demographic was beauty/fashion (and probably perfume) content creators with a significant subscriber number. I guess those pulled then out of their contract, when this came more widespreadly known. Then suddenly, channels that had nothing to do with beauty/fashion and had less subscribers started to push that said perfume subscription. For example movie review channels. But what my point is, a vlog channel I watch regularly also made an ad for them, and I know she has a management (I actually watch three people that do NY vlogs who are all under the same management). Why did none of them google that brand once? There are threads on reddit, there are reviews online. Or did they?
Sooo many shady ads... And the "rigging" of the system is definitely a bit shady too. Although if an influencer would really like for X brand to sponsor them, they do really like and use those products. So at least they're a fan and not just faking it?
Certainly one way to make a living, I guess 🫣
I stopped wearing a watch after I bought a cellphone, years ago. It wasn't even a diamond cellphone. 😁
You’re an influencer. You influence us to be more conscious consumers and to think about our consumption habits! 😅
True! But at least there's no way you can buy yourself into more conscious consuming, so nothing I can "sell" in that way!
@ yes!! You’re the type of influencer we want more of !!
Great hair and great vid as usual! 🎉
I really love these exposés on how the influencer economy works on the back end!
I have POTS and tracking my vitals with a watch has been helpful for me but I also made it 34 years without it so I still don't think it's a must have or a need for even me with a lifelong chronic illness. Have I been wanting it for five plus years and I'm obsessed with it? Yes. Do I think I could live happily without it? Also Yes.
I have to say we love Mint Mobile. We've had it for two years now and never had an issue with coverage anywhere we've gone. Including the mountains of North Carolina in a very rual area. It's basically you pay for three month at a time but honestly our bill every three months is less than our monthly Verizon bill was and our service has been better.
Agreed that I could definitely live without the tracking on my watch!
And I'm actually not against Mint Mobile and I can't say I'd never actually switch, myself (it probably would be a bit cheaper!), but, I have seen influencers sponsored by them and they don't mention that it's paying a few months upfront, yes the plans start at $15/month but they also might be slightly more than that, and not being able to 100% control the ad-script is kind of what makes me wary of that kind of sponsorship even of a "good" product or company! Glad to hear it does work well!
@@Alexas.nobuyyear I agree and honestly we switched to Mint mobile before the influencer deals really started. And the influencer deals probably would have sketched me out if that had been a thing when we got our plan. It just happened to be what we could afford at the time and ended up actually being a great service. I guess I was more just putting it out there that they aren't a scam. I do wish the marketing tactics were less scammy from cellular providers across the board. I feel like every phone plan (or internet/tv/ect) I've ever looked at in depth is not like what it seemed in the mailer or commercial we got. Almost to the point that I eyeroll when I see the ads. We deserve better honestly.
While starting saying how much i like your channel and your honesty on the whole ' no buy project', may i just ask you why you didn't like the Nordgren watch cause it was one of the very few times i have been this close to buying something influenced to me.... Love from 🇮🇹
For me, I actually don't wear or use watches very much, I currently have a fitness watch partly for the purpose of tracking heart rate (for temporary health issues) and generally I do not change watches or jewelry, so for me it was just a waste of money to buy.
The straps are also too large for me (the smallest hole is still too big). The ability to change straps is nice, but not actually as important to me as I thought (to change the look of the color, etc, I am much more comfortable to keep it the same than use mental energy to match with outfits, etc). Part of it is because I play a musical instrument, so wearing a watch is sometimes distracting.
It's not a bad watch or anything, I do still have it, although I am wondering if I should try to pass it onto someone who would use it more than I do! I haven't decided yet, so I may still keep and use mine.
ooh i want some RANTS! perhaps interspersed with philosophical reasonings....?
Catch me on the right (or wrong) day maybe, and there will be ranting 😆
No longer "under" 10,000! Onward and upwards!
I love mint mobile. I have a dumb phone and it gives me the basic service for crazy cheap.
Good to know it does work! Not saying I'll never actually switch to mint mobile myself, just not through a paid opportunity with limited freedom-of-script
I love everything you said and always appreciate your integrity!
Yaaaasssss flip the script 😂❤ totally yes I’d be a bigger fan 😊
😄
Deinfluencing and make 'unsure people' be more content with what they have would be totally cool and popular. Today's world needs that unfortunately.
Label it whatever, but it is a needed message. Reject the norm, refuse to play along with destructive objectives.
Alexa I want to thank you for inspiring to do !my 2025 project no buy year" I will be reporting here how it went.
Please do! There'll be videos each week where you can post accountability updates if you want to 😁 would love to read about it
@@Alexas.nobuyyear thank you. I will
in response to your question about doing more "complainy" content, I don't know if I'd watch too much of those kind of videos. They are interesting on occasion. But I find more value in dissecting the why of things. Or if one does complain about a problem, trying to find solutions to that problem.
I also don't understand how people don't feel more icky about selling so many of these products. Most of them seem like a scam. Just a few years ago there were endless ads for meal subscription services. I almost never see an ad for those things anymore. If the product is so great, why don't you see them around anymore? Where did they all go? This huge push for influencer marketing feels very "thou doth protest too much."
It's a great point about trying to find practical solutions if we are going to complain - that's one of the reasons I don't feel totally comfortable criticizing even the more "known problems" (systems like capitalism?), without any offer for or knowledge of a better alternative myself.
And I'm not also not sure if I could/would realistically make many "complaining" videos either - I think most of the "opposite scripts" are actually going to be presented more organically on this channel as I unlearn the narratives for myself, but presented through the lens of my personal "video-journals" as it were.
About that bit where you spoke about the editing, thumbnail, dubbing and subbing services...
You talk about it being all you and yeah that IS great! However, I do want to mention that subtitles are not a tool to rig the algorithm in your favour, but an accessibility issue. Deaf and hard of hearing people, but also non-natives and other people who benefit from subtitles, are not to be overlooked. For some, goos subtitles are the only thing making videos accessible to them
I'm not sure I intended to mention subtitles, if I did it was in error! Apologies! I think I had a few verbal slip-ups in this video.
It's also not that I don't want to be more accessible, but realistically I cannot pay to engage every language-dubbing service out there to be fully accessible, so how am I to pick and choose? And if I prioritize one, what about the others? I find it a bit of a tricky line to draw.
I have also had success on the other end as a viewer, using youtube-generated subtitles when I watch other content, so hopefully those are doing an okay job with my videos too, for those who need or prefer them on
@@Alexas.nobuyyear for me the line would be between adding /having added subtitles and getting dubbed. Subs are fairly easy, true to the content and already add SO much accessibility to so many people. (Ofc I'm talking about English subs, not having them translated)
Automatically generated subs do seem to get better, but are still clearly inferior - especially for those who can't hear at all
@@Avi2Nyan The automatic translation is handy to show videos to others who don't speak the language. Translation is hit or miss, but it's easier than explaining everything.
This!! Thank you!
❤ your videos
Thank you!
I switched to U.S. Mobile. It's not as cheap as other low-cost providers, but still cheaper than when I had Verizon. US Mobile has access to all three networks, so you can switch if the first network you select doesn't have the best coverage. They have an option to get full priority access to the Verizon network (these low-cost options are always deprioritized).
i would have dismissed a lot of these as phishing LOL
Same! After a few of them though, I thought, "maybe I should keep these in a folder for review" 😆
I agree with your commentary here, but I want to point out, having glasses is (potentially) more sustainable than contacts, which are plastic, have more packaging, and don’t biodegrade and last a much, much shorter time, so I found the glasses < contacts a bit of an argument flaw. I don’t think there’s a right answer here.
I agree ! Moreover, some people can't wear contacts because of the state of their cornea. For example, my eyes are too fragile, it would be unsafe for me to wear contacts regularly uu
Agreed that it's not a universal solution nor was I intending to recommend or argue for contacts over glasses as a general rule - was speaking purely from personal experience, and was intending to be speaking about why someone may not find a solution in this specific brand of glasses, rather than glasses in general. Apologies if that was unclear.
The point of mentioning contacts at all is that if someone out there would choose contacts regardless of if they bought this specific brand of glasses, as I sometimes do, it would not be a wise purchase for them.
Personal context -I find it significantly easier and more comfortable to do my job (as a musician, seeing the music and the conductor etc.) with contacts rather than glasses, so I will always have some available for days I go to work, but it takes me 2 years+ to get through a "1 year supply" because I don't wear them everyday. I agree it's a lot of plastic and if I was trying for maximum sustainability (not there yet) maybe I'd just learn to deal with the glasses all the time.
Not all contacts are disposable! Glass ones are much smaller than glasses too, so they're definitely more sustainable if you take care of them. And they never go out of style.
And it also really depends on the style of lenses, even if they're soft. Day lenses are of course different and more wasteful than year long ones.
And depending on the glasses and frame, those materials can be very bad to mine and mold, especially metals
I want to do a low buy 2025. Still deciding on the parameters
Would love to hear/read about what you land on!
Great video. Well thought out and entertaining.
I check the authenticity of people preaching no or low buy on how many affiliate links they have under each video. One well known Minimalist has just posted this years no buy / buy nothing (as per every year) and although still chelping about not spending, her video has affiliate links to Amazon and a jewellery brand, amongst others in the info box. To me, this is wrong on many levels as well as being hypocritical.
Thank you! Hopefully I will always be able to pass that authenticity test
Hilarious about German Institute! I hope Max Plank reaches out to you with an offer to participate in their socio-behavioral research projects!!
I will have to do some searching to find out who that is 😅
Love this!!❤❤
I realise it takes a lot of work to make content and people need to earn a living. However, I can’t help the sinking feeling of disappointment when they segue into marketing, especially when they are someone who is very ethical & environmentally & socially conscious. Even if they’re marketing an “ethical” clothing brand.
I'm wondering if you've heard of "slow buy" and your take, if you have.
I have not, I will now look !
Yes please videos where you flip the script
Don't judge me ... I am looking for the pencil holder on amazon while watching the video lol But I am proud of myself because instead of buying it immediately, I left it in the shopping cart...for now. Baby steps count😅
I'm the last one to judge, with my hour-plus video of everything I bought after seeing it online!
Because you asked what your viewers think, I’m not a big fan of “flip the script” type videos (or deinfluencing, rants, or other names for similar content). I find that content can show black or white thinking, be overly negative, attract harsh comments, and be focused on trends and stuff (even if it’s trying to dissuade those things). Those videos can feel a bit like high school debate class-simply arguing the opposite point of the other person/team in order to “win” rather than trying to think critically and collaboratively. To be clear, I appreciate nuanced discussions about important topics and believe some criticism/negativity can be useful. But I generally don’t click on deinfluencing videos similar to how I don’t click on haul videos.
Thank you for sharing! I just wrote in another reply here that I'm definitely not a fan of black and white thinking or flippant negativity, which is part of why I caught myself in this video here calling one of these products "crappy", and tried to make amends 😅
I may experiment with one deinfluencing video soon (I did have a few requests for this) just in the realms of viewer recommendations, and see how it feels - and pledge to remain nuanced. No hard feelings if that one's not for you, though - it won't become the mainstay over here as I'm much more comfortable within the realms of my personal reflections and responses.
Actually I'm a bit worried that a video like that from me would be 2 hrs of going through all the possible scenarios, to try not to fall prey to expedient generalizations
I love your videos
😊
Promoting No Buys is also influencing! 😉
True, but at least you can't buy it 😄
@@Alexas.nobuyyear Well, maybe if you hire someone to do the no buy for you - would that count as buying? 😁
I'd be careful with the 'opposite influencer' videos. I think everyone knows that no one _needs_ luxury items or brand new wardrobe, but it's simply a treat or entertainment, depending on if you're the buyer or the watcher. The opposing videos might be then viewed as complaing for the sake of complaining, criticising or making fun of certain influencers or just as unnecessary complaining. It might just push people to being defensive instead of being more open to listen and learn from you as they do with your current content. Probably would also attract more negative comments as well. 🤔
Agreed! Thank you for this.
I'd never do it with specific influencers in mind, although I do see how I may have flown a bit close to the sun there by commenting on it in relation to videos shown in this video here (although I don't know the videos specifically, I still had the thumbnails shown that were in my email, and I wasn't intending to criticize those influencers themselves!)
And as it turns out, I think I don't even need to purposely try to present the opposite, it's kind of happening through my own "organic" mentality shifts and my own realizations that "style maybe isn't as important" or "luxury means paying for not-the-product" etc., so I don't think I'll ever do it intentionally as far as "taking inspiration directly" from something someone else created, on purpose.
Incidentally I have noticed that the videos where I list what I'm "mad" about DO get the comments that are most negative and/or pointing out that I'm complaining, and while I might be okay with that on the odd occasion, it's not really what I'm about over here 😆
It is easier having morals when your not poor, not comparing, not greedy, not jealous, not suffering in general. Most people on earth is suffering so that is a big problem.
Absolutely! But trying to become an influencer is rarely an easy and reliable way to make money
And most influencers promoting these things are not poor. Not all of them are super rich, of course, but many definitely are not destitute
Yes! I can't remember if I actually made a dedicated video on this yet, but one of my main "no buy challenge" words of caution or advice, is to try and take care of oneself in every other way first and during, because even something like being sleep-deprived can make life in general much harder, let alone being poor or mentally isolated.
If you decide to do specific flip the script videos to comment on society please keep in mind that you will be going beyond the outlines of what works for you. And where right or wrong you might attract online negativity because you will be dipping your toes into politics.
It's a whole other blood sport in that world.
I think I didn't know exactly what I might have been referring to with "flip the script" videos - definitely would not try to comment on society at large with something like this, nor would I argue with specific other creators - I was referring more to my own little bubble of seeing "do this for better style" and the videos I now feel drawn to making which are more like "maybe we don't actually need better style" 😅 honestly the extent that I'll do stuff like that is probably already going to happen, I won't have to try to do it on purpose! Either way I will tread carefully - thank you for the advice!
Robe company seems to be a copycat of Kim+Ono
Wow - I was only aware of "Kimono" as the brand name Kim Kardashion almost used for her clothing (aside from the traditional Japanese use), didn't realize it was an actual company (I realize Kim+ono is slightly different!)
@ I stumbled across it years ago and considered ordering a long robe from them for a while. Never did cause I was worried they are quite long and I am short lol
i will say right from the start, i didnt watch your whole video, if i dont like something i cannot force myself, so judge me all you want, i judge too :) food for thought, there is a point in life when ethics and moral high ground can be taken to above comfort levels, there is a line between having those and being stuck on a high horse, you could think about it, or not, your life. i am saying this because, although my financial situation is good, and i am not a greedy bastard, for some reason, if someone else tells me, alright, you're good now, you must start giving money away just because someone else also needs it and you only have morals and ethics if you do, if you dont you suck. is not how ethics and morals go? what are you talking about? here is something, never ever in your life stop thinking about the future, if you are in a financial situation where you can afford to part with a significant amount of money every month, you invest in your old age most importantly, consult with a professional and see what is a minimal risk way to invest so your money doesnt lose value over time, you look at all the ways you can make passive income. only after that you can start thinking about charity, and is not morally wrong, no income is stable, at any point you can be fired, be cancelled, etc. and here is another food for thought, even if i become a millionaire, charity is not my responsibility, being correct and legal 100% is morally right and enough. is not my fault governments fail, it is not my responsability to pick up a country leaders' slack, it is not my burden. who manipulated us into thinking it is our responsability to do other people's jobs. you might argue, yes but charity orgs literally saves lives. if those charity orgs wouldnt exists and if people started making governments accountable things would change, but as long as this bullshit victim blaming works(cause this is what it is, a form of victim blaming, making average people feel guilty for not donating, for not doing more, when they themselves are the victims of greedy faulty leadership) things will never change. what is morally right? making the right people accountable, the ones enforcing the system which creates the unfortunate, or tricking your average hard working person thinking is their fault for things not being better for the unfortunate ones?
No worries, and no judgement! You're definitely not going to like what I have to say in a video coming next week, where I also actually donate some money to charity 😆
I don't know whether morals and ethics are a concrete thing, but I continuously feel drawn to the idea of "trying to do good" no matter what level I am currently at, income wise. It might not be my active responsibility but I am starting to believe that I don't feel guilty for not donating, but I may feel better if I do - something like that. It's perhaps even for selfish reasons of my own inner contentment rather than exterior guilt or fault for the way things are.
@@Alexas.nobuyyear oh, dont get me wrong, your personal choices are yours, when i was talking in my comment about what "you" should do is just in general, not you specifically. i dont hate, i get riled up. and just to be a devils advocate, what you are saying is exactly the type brain washing i was talking about. not feeling guilty if you dont but feeling better if you do, isnt it the same thing? according to psychology every act of good will is selfish - it makes us feel better - compared to not doing it. but if it were just the same not doing it you wouldnt feel the need to "feel better" by doing it.
but, coming back to my main point, the one that got to me, your personal choice is one thing, considering people with money in general owe charity is not morally right or ethical. morals and ethics are relative just like good and bad, but there are certain values that stand universally regardless. my financial situation doesnt owe anyone anything, and nobody has the right to call out anyone on this, regardless of your own personal choices and prerogatives.
I'm perhaps a bit confused here since this video appears to the the one where my main point wasn't about donating money one has earned, but preventing taking advantage of others through pursuit of earning more money, possibly at their expense. It's possible I radically mis-communicated, but my intended point was that we can't achieve positive connection with other humans if we don't have some moral standards to not take advantage of people who may be in a vulnerable state.
I'll also never say that I'm not brainwashed! But hoping to lean into the positive brainwashing rather than the negative
@@Alexas.nobuyyear you touched at the beginning "the morality of money" idea as you called it, and whrn is someone making a certain amount that is morally right to start helping others or something along that line, that was my whole point on talking about. That one that seems so wrong. And no, no brain wash is good, that's why I am saying please read my comments again, I feel we are talking about separate things. I know you're busy, I get it, we don't need to go back and forth here but just think about it.
I hate grabby thumbnails and grabby titles - I unsubscribe to those channels