YouTube Then & Now - Subscribers & E-Fame

[plantfireboom]

holy hell i remember you from back in the day.

[zazenzach]

its really weird when you look back and see how much its changed. geriatric and renetto for example had so many subscribers, now theyre nowhere near the top.

[onemon22]

Wo 62 comments, from the past 6 months. Zen things have really changed. I always look at you for your knowledge. Yes I loved the video terms of service you made. When I first came to you tube it scared me, especially the first gathering video about, "inside renettos ass" which is still up here. Trevor Regor is another reason, as well as Mike Scehan. Not sure if I said his name right. See you on Stickam.

[Jumpybeaver]

I can't help but wonder at times if Youtube will replace T.V. one day. I mean, it's more interactive then T.V. is. And it has better things on it. But in all, I do miss the older days of YouTube a lot.

[joe6panther6]

I've been making videos for nearly 4 years now. I do it because it's my creative outlet. All I have is 565 subs and that's like virtually nothing these days. I might be 90 before I ever see 1000! haha

[SuperBGA]

Where do i think this will go ??? I think it's a pile of junk. You we're right, youtube nowadays it's all about commercial. It's like soccer here in Europe. I don't know about your baseball, american football, nascar or other popular sports in the us, but here soccer isn't the same as it used to be. It's all about commercial, publicity, money etc. It makes me sick.

[ProductPlacer]

I think the original partner program was offered to less than 20 vloggers.

[jettkrash]

I saw this guy in a recent episode of Cops!

[ZenArcher]

@jettkrash I wish you would tell people that... you are gonna blow my cover. =o)

[SANNAFABICH]

ahahaahahahahah

[coydiddy]

I still enjoy your videos. :)

[Jaymes420]

i heard somewhere that youtube was bought for 3 billion, could be wrong by im pretty sure it was over the billion mark,..great vids! looking forward to what else you gotta say

[MRMONKEYPUNCH]

well said this is my first video i am seeing of yours and it totally changed my perspective on you tube. in a good way

[AsianKrankNJ]

Good video man you should get some new vids when ur free. God Bless

Krank

[Veemeister]

Unfortunately with all progressions in live - some things change for the better and others for the worse. I miss the good old days (Even though they weren't even two years ago, which is kind've crazy) but I am glad that there are still people like you here doing what you do. Even if people aren't posting as much, it's good to see familiar faces with true and honest opinions.

[MyCatWatchesMe]

I like what you say. I'd never heard of you before, but now like your stuff. YT has changed, yes. We've all changed.

[DangerousBastard]

YouTube is not unlike any form of mass communication; it had the potential to be very lucrative, and when something like this has the potential to be lucrative, SOME PEOPLE'S standards will be lowered in favour of financial gain. Its always been that way (music industry, hollywood etc...)

But there's more to it than that. I dont come to YouTube to watch bullshit, or to be patronized by vapid celebrities, I have a TV set for that. There's also a lot of very good stuff happening on YouTube IMO.

[Ossadawn]

Zen, your last video was reviewing a Spy Pen Camera, full of links in the sidebar and a request by you for buyers to mention your name specifically when buying. Why is that? The video was like a TV shopping channel, for christ's sake. On your main page here, you've got links to your various webpages. Is this a case of now adjusting to what gets attention? Or perhaps not realizing that you're doing what you describe as the things that made YT a commercial or personal pimping medium?

[Ossadawn]

I'm not sure if there ever were a "Good ol Days" of YouTube. I suggest that is just an idea people have created in their minds. It never really was a small little cosy community. It was a global dumping ground for all manner of stuff. We're equating "Good old days" with Vloggers that may no longer be around. A few years back it was just as full of rubbish as it is can be now. And today it's still full of excellent how to videos on all manner of subjects if you're 'looking' for them.

[HexenX]

Checked hellorodney, Zen?

[TSBthewhore]

you are right about people pimping there stuff on here GUILTY =D

when i came back first thing i put up was a link to my website and a lil video ad

but as always great vid!

[itisYOUREnotYOUR]

Back in the day there were not very many interesting "colorful" people such as yourself. Now, they are a dime a dozen. What has not changed is the time people have to watch youtube or the viewer's attention span. That means there are thousands more interesting people (who would get the sub back in the day, but not so much now) who are competing for the same attention span as the others.

In other words: the bar has been raised.

[itisYOUREnotYOUR]

Another thing unchanged: the amount of clutter your average viewer wants on his subscription video page.

[RiverBirch1967]

I do not believe in "youtube celebrities" although I am happy for certain people, such as you, having alot of subbers. Love ya, Zen, but this video is 16 minutes long!!! My attention span isn't that long. I wish it was, because I like your vids a great deal

[snouter]

How about this Zen. Have a reconcilation with Solomon. Have someone video you and Solomon riding in his Chevelle cruising the streets looking for victims.

[ZenArcher]

What are you, a noob? Solomon and I have been "friendly" toward one another for well over a year.  We agree to disagree. That shit is Old News! Welcome to 2009! Haha!

Be Well! ~Zen

[TalulaX]

lol I remember Norna! I loved her videos. :) I hardly come on youtube anymore due to the commercialism of it all. However, I do check in to see how original real people I subscribed to back in the day are doing! I really do consider a handful of people on here the real staples of youtube.

[RiteSedFred123]

in fact lets see how intelligent your subscribers actually are ,,,,,, yhtfgh kmi fbtrde braxse mythre vrdert nmtyuin derfty,,,crack the code!!!

[RiteSedFred123]

Well Mr Archer having now watched several of your videos your about as funny as a burning orphanage!! original ? No they wouldn,t subsribe now because there,s way more interesting stuff to get their teeth into.. Nothing worse than a bad act that,s on to long..........=/

[ZenArcher]

Based on what I am seeing ( subs going up) and the interaction with people through E-mails I would say you are mistaken about if people will sub or not. But you have a right to your opinion. My subs never came from being "funny". For me it's been about communication and exchange of ideas. It may not be your cup of tea, but for many it is.

Thanks for your input & Be Well! ~ Zen

[chicago85bearz]

Do people really unsubscribe because your not making videos. Weird.

[LightningJanitorial]

Start being honest Zen, youre a lot more interesting that way, and Id bet more than a nickel that if you stay that way, your precious subscription count will go up.

[ZenArcher]

Your Perception that I am being anything but honest doesn't make it so. Perhaps, it's just hard to accept that someone here really doesn't care about numbers. I am "self aware" and do know how many follow. I would think that is a normal thing if someone really cares about those who watch. So perhaps what keeps you and others from subbing isn't me, but your skepticism about me.

Thanks for your comments.

Be Well! ~ Zen

[LightningJanitorial]

You say you dont care about being a celebrity or obtaining subscriptions, yet you seem to know your subscription count pretty well, and talk about getting to the magic number of 5000.

Why not be honest man. It does matter to you, and youd LOVE to be making big money on here, avoiding getting a job for the 3rd decade in a row, and getting attention from everyone.

I actually enjoy your videos, and have listened to ur radio show, but what turns me off is when youre being a phony.

[ZenArcher]

I love the "Job remark". It's shows how little you watch, yet think you know. I am a full time caregiver and operate 3 online businesses including an adult toy shop, and office supply store ( since 1985 or so ) as well as 2 ebay accounts. See? It's simply that you don't know & are skeptical. Thanks again for your comments. Be Well ~ Zen

[LightningJanitorial]

Wow youre getting pretty big titties dude.

[Nocholas4sale]

man where's your experience

[heyyy19]

Back in the day you would feel like you're actually a part of YouTube. Nowadays it feels more like you're on some isolated planet in the middle of nowhere.

[XvallorX]

A friend of mine send me this video in subscription (ripley4O77), and I must admint - I fully agree with you. Youtube goes down with commercial. I even delete my movies, because nobody watch them etc. etc.

I will check your channel and videos later, but it seems we belive in similar things, but different ways (I'm member of Roman Catholic Church).

Maybe someone, who read this comment would recommend of what video I should start watching your channel?

cheers.

[Lupitamihita]

Zen, I subscribe to only a select few, and you are still on my select list. Now stop crying, we still love you.

[kazl1m]

I'm not sure when I subscribed but the first of your videos that I favorited was added to my list on July 26, 2006... Karma Zen & You. You are right that quite a number from that "era" have more or less disappeared. I for one am glad that you stayed around.

Kaz

[weezie63]

Another insightful video Zen.... Truer words were never spoken..Though I have 1200 subscribers I cherish their subs as much as I do the day I got my first.....I appreciate the friendships I have developed ...

[ZenArcher]

Thanks Weezie.. so do I.

Be Well! ~ Zen

[Mondaysan]

I do sometimes get nostalgic for the old days of YouTube. Unfortunately, some of the better and more traditional vloggers from those times have disappeared e.g boh3m3, FilthyWhore, hippyhillbilly. But at least we still have you Zen and I'm glad you're still here to talk to us after so long!

[darthvador]

hey zen. you were one of the first people i subscribed to on my first account.

i found you and still find you amazing.

thanks for the great videos.

[TheDancerChic]

It's a fact that things change, and the youtube community can't be an exception to that. That's basically my simple take on it... FilthyWhore, I think, deleted her account and Boh3m3, who I watched too, hasn't been around either. People have their own lives to go on with I guess. :/

[dorotwhy]

Interaction is important to many of us who are solely viewers/commenters. Youtube is so different. It used to be a bit of this, a bit of that. The love of money... pfft ...you know the rest and its result. I am still drawn to the basic vlogger, the"regular ole guy". Those "grandiose" vlogs get generic comments. The comments used to interest me more because many of the videos inspired intellectual opinion and discussion. I don't spend as much time on youtube, its not as interactive.

[mcasual]

it's just a guess but i think someday soon "enhanced reality" applications/gadgets will become mainstream. Example, you're in a bus you put on 3d tv-goggles, the computer/phone in your goggles knows exactly where you are, knows where you're looking at. And if someone in the bus chose an avatar, through your tv-goggles you see his avatar sitting in the bus. There's a few interesting videos about "enhanced reality" on the net. There's also the microsoft "project Natal" to watch out.

[Methadone4Life]

Nice journey back. Good to see you still hanging in there Zen but I miss the days when I would get 3 or 4 vlogs from each of my favorites. Nowadays I use YouTube to watch classic films and such..not many vlogs. I still think if many of the old guard came back..or were allowed back,the place would be fun again. Well,take care and keep vlogging the Zen way.

[Methadone4Life]

I never thought I would lose the love for Youtube,I have been around since the start(was hudgeliberal briefly before I switched to my current username when I started vlogging)and it was so much fun and so interesting back in 06-07. Lot of drama,lot of talent and just logging on was exciting. Now it is just another video site and,like thousands of others,it is commercial and hard to find quality vlogs nowadays..but I think the "fresh" feeling has worn off..like a new car losing the new car scent.

[Methadone4Life]

I once had over 400 vlogs myself and while I never tried to be a popular figure,I did manage a tiny 1100 subs,which for me was amazing. I have been a fan since Greg Solomon was attacking you and Renetto. Those vids and the early drama is what made this site popular. I think Google should go back and pay royalty to the people that made the site famous,Zen,Solomon,Skehan,Disp­atcher and even..ugh..Renetto. Those were the good old days..even though it was only 3 years ago it seems like decades.

[dorotwhy]

Methadone4life! I agree! I never thought I'd lose my love for youtube. Go figure, commercializing youtube is pushing away those of us who fed the monster. The money mongers should have been able to forecast this. Things may just go belly up. But then again, I am not a profit expert. Does anyone show the profit/loss info for the past year?

[1dockthorwho23]

I know what you mean zen well said. looking for the numbers is what is all about. Took a while to understand paul I must say but everything is a learning experience.Great video Zen very true. c]:-) AL The Doctor Who!

[scottklaw]

But still the awesome people are here and might go to some other site some day. Don't know. You still Cool Too.

[aiiiunluckykid]

good vlog. very entertaining. liked your point about the mobility. might get one of them cams myself

[soulardbill]

Great video ! Thank you !!!

[ThrasherAleX]

renneto is a dick

[cobweb1989]

1.6 BILLION

[xmoonbloom]

sweet, nornna gave you a shout out! youtube is becoming more commercial but when i sub someone it is because i like their videos. i don't care if they have partnership or if they only have 2 other subscribers. i like what i like and i watch all my subs.

[Iamasockaccount99]

filtyhwhore has been gone for a long time

[Seth38101]

Zen buddy, I know whatcha mean, I really miss those old days. What we do now is what was HUGE on youtube. It was the big thing. Now you need to be dirty and stupid like Shanedawson and crap to get anywhere

[ChoChoMojo]

I agree! I miss YouTube of then too! Though I do still like it.

[Amber146]

I remember all of the people that I used to watch and it was mostly just people vlogging nothing fancy no video intros or skits. I also remember that back in the day people used to make a list of their subscribers and show them on the videos to say thank you and it seemed like the people making videos appreciated people more and vice versa. It was also kind of a thing where everyone watched the same people and now its like there are cliques.

[mathiasgandy]

Yeah, You-Tube is going the way of Neil Postman..."Amusing Ourselves to Death".

[Bcuz77]

Those were the good ole days. indeed

[MadBadVoodo]

That is a fact! It kind of sucks now... sad

[Bcuz77]

Yea it does suck now