Watch Content Bad Guys
I have recently developed a heavy, weighing feeling. Nothing major and nothing to be concerned about but on top of the personal dealings in my life, my enthusiasm for watches has waned. Initially, I thought it was primarily due to my personal stuff, but after some thought, I realized it comes down to three bad guy archetypes: Instagram, YouTube, and Blogs. While these three are like members of some old-school villainous trio, the overall responsibility to resist them lies with me.
Instagram is "The Charmer"-Getting sucked into its shallow pool of flash and no substance is effortless. IG is always logged in, swiping is a breeze, and I get a dopamine fix quickly. IG has also numbed me to what I love about the hobby: the beauty of design and incredible photography. I have accepted a 10-second glance at something extraordinary to move on to the next thing and, in doing so, have accepted a very saccharin experience. Following over 1500 people is too many, and I cannot keep up. All in all, the 10-second glances add up to time glued to the screen without actually appreciating what I see.
Instagram made flesh.
YouTube is "The Heavy": big, imposing, with many obstacles and the most screen time. YouTube is too large to be ignored in the watch enthusiast space, especially when it comes to supporting other creators in the space. If the average video is 20 minutes long, I could burn 2 hours a day watching videos, not get through everyone's content that I support, while adversely affecting my production. That is a net negative for me, regardless of how much of a positive force in the space I want to be. Lately, I have gone back and forth about starting a YouTube channel, but the simple truth is, do we need another one? Do I need it?
YouTube Incarnate.
Credits: Darth Vader courtesy of IMDB
Blogs take up much less of my time, directly related to everything I listed above. Like A Grumpy Old Man, they can complain and be slightly subjective, but they provide me insight in more in a way that makes my learning style feel satiated. I can return to them and digest blogs at my own pace, allowing me control over my consumption. I have always been a reader, voracious at that. It was my escape as a kid, and I will incorporate it as such from here on out. Of the three, it is the one area where all my time is spent well, and I feel fulfilled and not drained.
Get Off My Blog.
There is nothing inherently wrong with Instagram or YouTube, especially in the watch enthusiast space. Both are tools that rely on the user to determine their product. One does get out what they put into both applications. Too much of any product can water it down and make it not practical for what I want my watch enthusiast's mission to be: fun and educating. In the future, I will be more critical of who I follow, what I ingest, and what I produce for the space. My audience deserves that, and most importantly, I do too.
