Los Angeles, CA—The platform recently announced new terms of service concerning videos related to firearms education. These new censorship measures are driven by ignorance and emotion.
The controversy and politics surrounding guns are often misunderstood, even by the well-educated. Meanwhile, other significant societal issues like drug abuse, DUI, and various tools of violence receive far less attention. Guns have been increasingly glamorized by violent movies and video games.
Neal Mohan, a 50-year-old Indiana native of Indian descent with an MBA, is currently at the helm of YouTube. He is navigating the platform amidst loud public outcry, leading to what many see as a sociological disaster.
YouTube enjoys legal immunity, allowing it to selectively publish content unless Congress or the courts intervene.
Content creators are increasingly frustrated with YouTube's algorithms, which direct viewers to and away from specific videos. Erratic monetization decisions can devastate creators who depend on YouTube revenue to make a living.
Creating compelling videos is hard work, requiring skills in research, writing, photography, video editing, and sound engineering. Despite advanced technology and successful influencers like Casey Neistat, the current path to YouTube success involves avoiding any potentially controversial topics. Many creators now resort to AI to produce their content.
YouTube's policies affect all creators, not just those related to firearms. For instance, even those teaching camera use and videography have been impacted. The terms of service are often confusing, vague, and inconsistently applied, reflecting a subjective and increasingly restrictive political correctness.
The platform has grown so large and convoluted that its management appears out of control. While legal immunity offers some protection, YouTube still faces potential litigation.
YouTube should cease its algorithmic manipulation, but it likely won't, as it seeks to control the thinking of its millions of viewers and influence public policy. It has become a self-appointed, left-leaning thought police.
Most other social media platforms are similar, though X may soon overtake YouTube as a video-sharing space. Content creators need a platform driven by advertising sponsors, free from algorithms and censorship.