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A Scholar's Guide to YouTube

A Scholar’s Guide to YouTube

 

From the moment I discovered YouTube, it has been an indispensable resource in my endless quest for knowledge. I’ve always had a voracious appetite for learning, to the point where I’ve been likened to Faust—a seeker of boundless understanding. My passion for discovery aligns with my aspirations of becoming, or further evolving into, an academic.

 

While some in the academic world may dismiss YouTube as frivolous or unreliable, I believe they do so at their peril. When used wisely, this platform offers unparalleled access to diverse perspectives, expert insights, and a treasure trove of high-quality educational content. It serves as a modern-day library of Alexandria, provided one approaches it with discernment and intellectual curiosity.

 

That said, finding reliable sources of information is only the beginning. The journey doesn’t stop at clicking “play.” True intellectual engagement demands constant questioning, scrutiny, and reappraisal of new videos and information. Knowledge is not static, and neither is the process of learning. As new evidence emerges and perspectives shift, it’s vital to revisit assumptions, challenge biases, and refine understanding. This ongoing critical analysis is what transforms YouTube from a passive entertainment medium into a dynamic tool for academic exploration.

 

This collection of YouTube channels represents years of exploration and curation. Here, I highlight creators who elevate the medium with their dedication to spreading knowledge. Each video I feature is more than just content—it’s a lens through which I analyze, reflect, and sometimes reframe the subject at hand. Whether reviewing fascinating discoveries, unpacking complex theories, or contextualizing content to explore broader questions, this space is dedicated to showcasing how YouTube can be a vital academic tool for the modern 

 

  • Veritasium 2

  • Adam Conover

  • Alternate History Hub

  • ASAP Science

  • BBC Earth Lab

  • BBC News

  • Big Think

  • Braincraft

  • Brainstuff

  • Buzzfeed Video

  • CGP Grey

  • CollegeHumor

  • Comedy Central

  • Computerphile

  • Crashcourse

  • Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

  • DidYouKnowGaming?

  • Extra Credits

  • Financial Times

  • FootofaFerret

  • Hank Green

  • Hard Science

  • Healthcare Triage

  • Hello Internet

  • How to Adult

  • How to Make Everything

  • Howcast

  • HowStuffWorks

  • It's Okay To Be Smart

  • Keith Hughes

  • Khan Academy

  • In A Nutshell

  • Last Week Tonight

  • Life Noggin

  • Lore

  • Metatron

  • Military History Visualised

  • Minute Earth

  • Minute Physics

  • NowThis

  • Numberphile

  • Oxford Academic

  • OxfordUnion

  • PBS Game/Show

  • PBS Idea Channel

  • PBS Space Time

  • Periodic Videos

  • Philosophy Tube

  • Play Noggin

  • Project Syndicate

  • Psychology Hacker

  • Real Engineering

  • Real Life Lore

  • SciShow

  • SciShow Psych

  • SciShow Space

  • Seeker

  • Shots of Awe

  • Sixty Symbols

  • Skallagrim

  • SmarterEveryDay

  • SuperCarlinBrothers

  • TED

  • TEDx Talks

  • Testube 101

  • The Daily Show

  • The Film Theorists

  • The Game Theorists

  • The Great War

  • The Infographics Show

  • The National Archives UK

  • The Rest of Us

  • School of Life

  • Stupendous Wave

  • The Young Turks

  • Tom Scott

  • Trevschan2

  • University of Sussex

  • Upworthy

  • USArmyWarCollege

  • Veritasium

  • Vice

  • Vihart

  • Vlogbrothers

  • Vox

  • Vsauce

  • Wendover Productions

  • Wisecrack

  • Word Porn

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