Like I always say.....hold me accountable

You guys know I'm rather vocal about how I don't like the behavior of Youtubers/influencers online. Fantano was someone I started following in maybe 2010. We started doing content around the same time. His very straightforward style of no frills, I adopted for myself obviously, minus the Cal Chuchesta gimmick. But....as you can see I've deviated from his influence a long time ago. Though, I think he's topped even himself this week. I see this kind of current behavior from Youtube personalities all the time. Ya'll gotta promise you'll be honest with me, hold me accountable, and call me a hypocrite, if I ever start acting like this. I promise you I can take it. Fantano appears to be having a mini public meltdown and I think he needs to realize that whatever he's mad at right now...it's likely not Ye, or the music, or any of it. 

If he had any true balls...he never would've made a review about the record. I know he titled the video "unreviewable 1" but....it's a review lol. If he truly found the album to be that distasteful, and dangerous as a piece of art propaganda...then he could've been the bigger man, and not reviewed it. That would've been a much more dignified and powerful statement. But no...he needs the clicks, he wants the attention, and he doesn't have the insight or the honesty to see that all he's doing is fueling the discourse. Fueling the attention for the record. And that's often the function of art criticism. We are not gatekeepers, we are part of the stream of online consciousness. 

If I ever get to this point...where I am so bitter about politics, jaded about the pop culture discourse, that I have to project it so obviously onto the material I am criticizing...please give me that intervention. Do not let me rant on twitter all day arguing with randos as if I have nothing better to do. Do not let me make videos like this, where I pretend to hold this moral high ground, while blatantly contradicting myself in the same breath. 

The worst part of this video...was where he insults the listeners themselves who enjoy the music, by saying they lack emotional intelligence, or are perhaps just part of Kanye's brainwashed cult. That's rich...coming from someone who acts this delusional publicly. I didn't even know about the album at all. But after Fantano wouldn't stop bringing it up for days online...I had to hear it obviously. And...yeah, I guess I must be stupid or in Kanye's cult. Because...while it has its rough spots...I liked the record. Listened to it a couple of times. A couple of bangers on there as well. Art never had to be moral, and thus I find Kanye's presentation of his art quite interesting, as well as polarizing. I've always found his reflections on his destructive behavior interesting once filtered through the musical experience. But that's just me. If you disagree...you are not lesser for feeling so. Lord. 

Never forget what you are. The Fantano's of the world, the Lindsay Ellis's of the world...it's a pattern of influencer echo chamber destruction. We are privileged to have this platform. Privileged to have even just a dozen people listen to what we have to say and get money for it.  So many wish to be in his position. This man is one of the biggest music critics in the world, due to building his profile all on his own. But in my opinion...he doesn't deserve it at this point.

But yes...obviously I'm kidding somewhat. I don't expect ya'll to hold my hand through anything. I'm fairly level-headed about this whole thing, I think and hope. But, I always fear the alternative, just because it seems so easy to slip into. I am the only Youtuber I know in life, and so there's no one to relate to on the subject personally. But self-importance in success is unattractive to me. Thinking your opinion is so crucial, is the problem. So again...I hope you guys will never be afraid to criticize me when I need it. I respect a lot of your opinions and enjoy our discussions. You all seem like smart people. We all need to be held in check sometimes. It's good for you. :) 

(But seriously...if I ever start calling people stupid for not agreeing with my opinion....please unsubscribe. You have my full encouragement on that. I really drew the line there.)