JOIN US ON SUBSTACK: substack.com/@wtfisleft Early Access to Ad-Free Extended Interviews Ask our Guests Questions LIVEs with Jovan + Freddie WL Book Club + Community Discussion Articles + Exclusive Content **********************************************
YouTube OG, Josh Pieters, joins us for a deep cut into the ethics and cultural impact of YouTube and what has sustained his success through different eras of online culture. All of those questions stored up from spending hours and hours of our early teen years parasocially connecting with these slightly older teenagers, finally saw the light of day.
We discuss why Josh has given up on his pranking days, moving into a journalistic role with his documentaries, and the perverse incentives of gaming attention on YouTube and other social platforms. Is it possible to come up in today's saturated media landscape just by being optimistic and positive, with a slightly inflated personality? Or do you have to be a joke or have an enemy?
The one thing money can't buy is clout. But clout can definitely buy money. And you best believe that most kids understand this instinctively. No wonder they all want to be YouTubers. Big thanks to Josh for his honesty in such a wide ranging conversation and to guest host Sophie Peachey for coming through!!
Chapters
01:21 Intro
04:22 Truth About Lily Phillips Documentary
14:27 Talking to the Blokes in Lily Phillips’ 100 Men Challenge
20:03 Who Is Taking Advantage Of Young Men?
32:44 Why did Josh Switch from Pranks to Documentaries?
38:53 YouTube + Internet Has Changed Radically
49:11 Will Josh change the 'Goon Squad' Name?
52:00 The Fame of the Brit Crew
1:03:07 Does Josh Regret the Just Stop Oil Prank?
1:13:08 Are Billionaires the Problem?
1:17:10 How f*cked is the UK?
1:20:49 In Defence of Josh's Pranks
1:26:09 Archie Manners Joining Reform UK
1:33:05 Josh’s One Piece of Advice for Lefties Online