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Comment by fragsworth | Hacker News Reader

Not believing what you speak is a huge enthusiasm killer, and enthusiasm is most of what makes a good video. I'd guess almost all of the people with growing channels believe what they speak, and anyone on the fence might even subconsciously start believe what their audience wants.

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The best liars totally believe what they say in the moment they say it. They have the ability to fool themselves, which is essential to fool others.

It's probably an evolutionary trait.

Except I can fake enthusiasm easily. I don't because it's deceptive. I feel like I am lying to someone when I fake enthusiasm. Doesn't go over all that well in most settings, since most people do fake it.

I think OP means more personal enthusiasm, as in being driven to make videos at all. No benefit in being able to fake a smile if you never end up recording yourself in the first place.

...at the same time though, a ton of money and attention might be enough to get over making personally uninteresting content. I guess that's pretty much how careers are for most people.

But can you fake enthusiasm full-time for years as well as someone who is actually enthusiastic? Because otherwise you'll be outcompeted.

This [1] is anecdotal only but I thought it was interesting:

"i know from some behind-the-scenes youtuber talk that a few of the softer antifem/rightwing channels don't like how extreme a lot of their audience have become, and are scared of putting anything out that causes them to get ditched. they have bills to pay, after all"

[1] https://curiouscat.me/Shaun_Jen/post/639484603?1536142106

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