Title essentially. Youtube’s algorithm is hot garbage, so I can’t search for anything anymore without a ton of AI slop and rage bait. So, who do you go to for actual good long form videos? Exposes, scandals, behind the scenes, documentaries, film, travel, transit, who do you recommend I follow?
Because I manually download videos to watch on the bus or train (thanks Grayjay & NewPipe), most of my subscriptions are for long-form content:
Retro Tech: Techmoan, Technology Connections, Posy, Janus Cycle, CRD, Ben Eater, DiodeGoneWild, pannenkoek2012, videolabguy, Adrian’s Digital Basement,The Science Elf, previously LGR and 8-Bit Guy/Keys
Science: Kuvina Saydaki, BobbyBroccoli, Numberphile, Computerphile, carykh
Tech News & Discussion (not always long-form): Louis Rossmann, Mental Outlaw, Brodie Robertson, SomeOrdinaryGamers, Asianometry, Atomic Shrimp, previously Thunderf00t
Urbanism: Not Just Bikes, Adam Something, Alan Fisher, Tramly, BritMonkey
D&D Story Narration: CritCrab, Puffin Forest
Bold channels are most underrated imo
Haven’t seen Philosophy Tube on here yet.
High quality and engaging deep dives on various philosophy-related topics. Abigail, the face of the channel is an actor and playwright (and an academic) and that very much shines through.
“Oki’s Weird Stories” is so very good.
Also “Shaun” and very much “Shanspeare” are great, if you’re looking for long-form content.
I keep thinking of more, so I’m just going to list them here:
AustinMcConnell, BobbyBroccoli, Dime Store Adventures, Fredrick Knudsen, Jenny Nicholson (already mentioned here many times!), Ahoy, Kid Leaves Stoop, Lady Emily, Sarah Z, Moon Channel, Paper Will, Soup Emporium.
I personally enjoy these but not sure if its what your looking for
The outdoor boys - goes solo camping and sometimes brings his kids along, family trips abroad, and also creating a homestead.
Westinchamplin - modifies cars and trucks for red neck science.
Paolo from tokyo - interesting takes on the life of japan series was the best. Shows all different types of jobs from japan
Ahoy @xboxahoy. Very well produced videos about gaming. A brief history of graphics, iconic arms, video game origins and more.
I love the style of Ahoy’s videos so much
Technology Connections
The video on pinball machines was absolutely incredible
Explore with Us
Buckin Billy Ray - interesting videos about cutting trees down and servicing chainsaws. A little bit unchained (excuse the pun) in a wholesome way as he seems to randomly intersperse his videos with positive affirmations like ‘be kind’ ‘love your friends’ which is kind of wholesome
Way out west - an older English guy living in the West of Ireland making things like a railway for transporting garlic
I did a thing - a hilariously unhinged aussie bloke
James Hoffman - for coffee. And hames joffman also
Karl Rock - travels around India/Pakistan exploring the places
Mike okay - travels to really off the beaten track places like Iraq.
Maximus ironthumper - many videos, the project kermit series is him rebuilding a land rover defender from scratch
Still it - distilling and making spirits
Depends how long is long form for you, if you mean like multi hour videos I have less to give. But for like 25 to 40 minutes videos:
Practical engineering - educational videos about civil engineering.
Dr. Becky - space/astronomy news from an astrophysicist.
Plainly difficult - civil disaster documentaries
Joseph Anderson - gaming essays (multi hour)
Raycevick - gaming essays (around 30min)
The sphere hunter - game essays, mainly classic horror
Jay Foreman - British comedy.
LGR - retro tech deep dives, and tech oddware.
Joe Scott - Did you know, style investigations.
Plus some already mentioned. There is probably more, but keeping this shorter.
Peter Dibble has some great documentaries on historical curiosities around the Pacific Northwest, and beyond.
Technology Connections does deep dives into topics of technology, specific devices and appliances, and generally is very entertaining and informative.
RedLetterMedia for film critiques, so bad it’s good reviews, and comedy.
Defunctland does documentaries around theme parks.
Tasting History with Max Miller is a very educational historical food dishes show. Not super long form.
Matt Baume does great “LGBTQ+ in TV, historically” type of content. And wrote a book about it which is great too.
Stand-up Maths does great math content. Yeah, it’s math, but it’s fun. Bonus is he also wrote a great book relating to his content about engineering and maths mistakes in real life on large scales.
LGR- retro computer tech
Techmoan- retro audio tech
For Drfunctland, who doesn’t want to watch an over hour long video on the design of FastPass?
These are channels I follow or at least like enough to look up once in a while. They’re a bit random. I apologize if any are repeats, but they’re worth repeating (and I didn’t read every reply):
Adam Savage’s tested: https://youtube.com/@tested
bigclivedotcom: https://youtube.com/@bigclivedotcom
Intelligence Squared: https://youtube.com/@intelligence-squared
MIT Open CourseWare: https://youtube.com/@mitocw
Townsends: https://youtube.com/@townsendsEntertainment:
Cirque du Soleil: https://youtube.com/@cirquedusoleilVery other:
SBSK: https://youtube.com/@specialbooksbyspecialkids
the channel features a man who goes around and interacts with/interviews disabled children and adults. I take this one in small doses. It is not long form in the traditional sense of a well researched and thoroughly laid out topic, but I find it very wholesome/heartbreaking at the same time.- For comedy I love watching Drew Gooden and especially Kurtis Conner.
- DougDoug (Twitch Streamer) has an incredible creativity for stream ideas and his videos on the main channel are edited incredibly well to capture the essence of a stream in ~30 minutes.
- Techmoan is one of my favorite technology YouTubers. He has such a calming voice
- Another Tech YouTuber I really love is CRD - Cathode Ray Dude. He pretty much is the nerdiest nerd for the most incredible niches. Highly recommend
- To get some girls here: I enjoy the essays by Gabi Belle quite a lot, she makes video essays on pop culture with a high focus on music and Gordon Ramsay for some reason
Two video game ones:
I saw a lot of tech and science channel in the comments so to balance that out, here are some of my favourite crafting channels:
North of the border: creates a clay sculpture every week. Generally it is something nerdy or something cursed
Enchanterium: repaint dolls, often to popular characters. They also sew their own outfits. A lot of fun even if you’re not interested in dolls
Nerdforge: create a lot of crazy projects, mostly related to nerdy stuff. (Last project was a 2m booknook)
Wicked makers: create decorations and animatronics for Halloween
Florian Gadsby: very talented potter with very relaxing voice and videos
Pottery to the people: pottery videos, often trying new experiments
Evan and Katelyn: videos on stuff that they build. Always a lot of fun (last video: how they built an ergonomic laptop)
TL Yarn Crafts: crochet videos
Kaypea Creations: making of art dolls (animals), either out of clay or fake fur.
Studson Studios: creates amazing sculptures out of mostly trash. Amazing channel, one of my favourites
Make strange things: makes strange things. Small channel but greatly appreciated
Boylei hobby time: creates dioramas
Lightning cosplay: creats amazing cosplays
Transcended furniture gallery: restores vintage furniture
Bonus: Half-Asleep Chris: videos with stop motion elements, mostly about cats and/or lego