Browsing YouTube can be a time-consuming task. You start off with a makeup tutorial and end up somewhere with corgi puppies. Or maybe you find yourself bouncing from viral video to viral video, wondering why so many people have watched such unimportant yet entertaining content. There's an abundance of variety in the YouTube medium, which is why it is such a wonderful website. There's intense, quality content by aspiring filmmakers and tutorials by professionals, but there are also kids who want to get their voice out there with webcams and sketches aimed to make you laugh. Sometimes it's easy to get sucked into the part of YouTube that seems materialistic. There is an overwhelming amount of channels that play to beauty, fashion, working out, comedy and parody. But there is an entire part of YouTube that digs deeper, addressing philosophical dilemmas and the science behind social anxiety. Here are a few of those channels, the channels that have something to say.
Shots of Awe
Video via YouTube
This channel asks the big questions, and through beautiful cinematography and poetic narration, it tries its best to answer them. It discusses things like love, death, existential crises, and spirituality. The excitement of Jason Silva on each topic is sure to draw you in and keep you thinking.
Soul Pancake
Video via YouTube
You might be familiar with this one. Soul Pancake became extremely popular for it's optimistic spirit and the adorable speeches by Kid President. Started by the actor Rainn Wilson and Devon Grundy, this YouTube channel will pull at your heartstrings, make you smile, and give you some food for thought. My personal favorites are the series "The Science of Happiness" and "The Science of Love." Check them out!
Cloudy Apples
Video via YouTube
Primarily a natural beauty guru, Kassie occasionally gets a bit more philosophical and reflective. She's fun and goofy, and usually approaches each of the big questions she discusses with respect for the variety of perspectives out there. Sometimes she'll have poetry or a video on self-worth and acceptance. Overall, she's fun to watch and very down to earth.
Vsauce
Video via YouTube
Here's another channel you might be familiar with: Vsauce. Michael from Vsauce seriously considers some interesting questions about our physical world. He mostly focuses on the science behind things and breaks stuff down easily for watchers. Michael's engaged dialogue takes you on an intellectual journey.
Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows
Video via YouTube
Michael from Vsauce actually mentions this channel in the video linked above. "The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows" attempts to capture feelings we don't have words for in the English language, and bridge the lexical gap by creating a word to fit that meaning. John Koenig, a filmmaker, originally created this as a Tumblr, but it has since grown into a YouTube channel with strange emotions we all know too well described in poetic prose, presented with gorgeous film, and capped with a word we've never known before.
Vlogbrothers
Video via YouTube
Another popular channel, Vlogbrothers is run by John Green and Hank Green and started out as personal videos to each other. Since then, both of the brothers have become very prominent in the YouTube community. You might recognize the name John Green from the cover of one of your favorite young adult novels like "The Fault in Our Stars" or "Paper Towns," both of which became successful movies. Hank dabbles in a variety of science-based shows on YouTube, and both created the channel "Crash Course," in which people can look into interesting topics from history, literature, astronomy, biology, psychology, and more. They discuss anything from being grateful for such a wonderful life to breaking down the Syrian refugee crisis.
Button Poetry
Video via YouTube
Button Poetry, as the title suggests, is a poetry channel on YouTube. They showcase spoken word poets and their performances, including some of my favorite poets, Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye, who are in the video above. The poetry presented by Button Poetry isn't just angry, acidic slam poetry, but rather introspective and complex works that often make you see the world in another light. They even have some videos under the title "Poetry Observed," in which they film mini-movies of a poet while they recite their work.
Anna Akana
Video via YouTube
Anna Akana is an aspiring actress, filmmaker, and director. Her content often consists of her short films and fun sketches, but she also addresses some big issues like self-worth, focus, and working towards your dreams. She's a huge supporter of the arts and of personal reflection. The video above went viral sometime last year as she commented on the negativity and positivity behind make-up. Much like Kassie of Cloudy Apples, Anna is vivacious, fun, and certainly someone to check out.
