"nothing left to prove" by Alan Lastufka

[bridgetisadreamer]

I had goosebumps the whole time :D This was so lovely <3

[Elinious]

Holy fuck I don't know what to do now. This left me stunned for a minute. It's great, need to rewatch and think about it now.

Thank you for mentioning this as your new channel (now FoAD is retired) on Tumblr. I've been busy and haven;t been able to keep up with everything as I would like to.

[DepecheMoses]

Don't write about how you have nothing to write about. That's like being on a date and trying to carry a conversation about how you have nothing to talk about.

[hannahbear2012]

This has nothing to do with the contents of the video yet, but that advertisement came in to ruin everything, and then I saw Skrillex was in it. You're video literally had the only advertisement I have ever watched through it's entirety because it was about Re-Generation. XD Congratulations.

Moreover, you have a way with words, Sir(:

[AlCat42]

I'm going to have to watch this on a normal basis as I continue my newest writing project. Thanks for creating it.

[misspemc]

Beautiful



[RaynaOfSunshine]

This is so inspiring. You're really talented, Alan :)

[kellyacts]

Duuuuuude. I needed that. Thanks.

[persistenceofvideo]

@kellyacts You're welcome. =)

[kellyacts]

@persistenceofvideo I'm reading your youtube book by way, super helpful

[RobertBordenMusic]

This is fantastic. You are so freaking talented in everything you do, my word.

[persistenceofvideo]

@RobertBordenMusic Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate it.

[JessWavesHello]

Alan, this is absolutely stunning. So glad to see you in my sub box again <3

[shancarballo]

Thank you so much for saying this and saying it so beautifully

[weepingoldwillow]

you can't create something.

[jbdazen]

And so, you created something. And it was good :-)

[persistenceofvideo]

@jbdazen Haha, thanks JB!

[ThatNorwegianTv]

This is amazing! And here's a challenge: Can you make something even better than this? =)

[xXxLinguagirlxXx]

This is amazing :)

[spidersrock1]

Pure, original, brilliant...subscribed!

[blueeyedbecka]

Wow great!

[J0yisaL0s3r]

Holy crap dude, that was brilliant!

[itiselizabeth]

Well Alan this was wonderfully made. I'm in admiration of your reinvention and am looking forward to anything you have to say in the future!

[persistenceofvideo]

@itiselizabeth Thanks Elizabeth! I'm looking forward to it too, never knew the simple act of starting a new channel could inspire so much energy to make videos again.

[theloyalbadger]

Are you gonna make any more vlogs like the ones that were on this channel previously? I enjoyed those.

[persistenceofvideo]

@theloyalbadger Probably not. I'm not a very good vlogger. I talk too slow, I blink too much. I'll leave that to the experts. I'm much more comfortable making videos like this one here.

[theloyalbadger]

@persistenceofvideo I disagree with the notion that you're not a very good vlogger! But, I have no right to tell you how to use your channel. I really did like this video, and I'll be looking forward to your future creations popping up in my sub box.

[jeaniebaby001]

oh yeah.. 

[rethinkOURreality]

Beautiful. Simply beautiful.

[mysterialite]

It's good to see new non-DFTBA content from you. Even with the product placement on the bracelet. :-) Very well done, Alan.

[persistenceofvideo]

@mysterialite Thanks Monica. It was fun making some non-DFTBA content. Hopefully I can keep up with it. 500 new subscribers, all expecting new videos, lots of pressure. =)

[BotheringTrees]

I've always liked you Alan but I never subscribed to your old channel. I don't know why I just didn't. But I did subscribe to this one.

[persistenceofvideo]

@BotheringTrees Thanks Heather! Hope I don't disappoint.

[stateyourporpoise]

My goodness, Alan. This is a great video for a fresh start.

[persistenceofvideo]

@stateyourporpoise Thanks!

[Perlasaki]

that was amazing!

[letterheadloyalty]

Inspiration comes about in many ways. I'm sure you'll find plenty of wonderful things to use this channel for.

Achieving your goals and feeling a plateau is a great reason to dig deeper into yourself as a person to find out what is truly next. It might not lead to the same kind of greatness but I'm sure as long as you love what you're doing it will be great.

[persistenceofvideo]

@letterheadloyalty Thanks for the words of encouragement. Has me feeling hopeful. =)

[tallatstarbucks]

This is fantastic.

[msbeckiejean]

I want to leave a comment to let you know how this video hit me, but I cannot find words eloquent enough to express it.

[persistenceofvideo]

@msbeckiejean Thanks Beckie!

[ThatBookGirl]

I want to say I get it, even though I probably don't. I can say I understand the desire to make something just for the sake of its existence. I suppose that's the point here, isn't it? "Put something silly in the world, that ain't been there before" Anyway, brilliant video.

[sittingonanmm]

wonderful video. i really appreciate your honesty in explaining why you stopped creating for a while... and i think that now that you feel this way, inspiration will hit you again (or it has hit you already, it seems) and we will again see great things from you! i look forward to what this channel will bring out from you :)

[persistenceofvideo]

@SlippyProductions With the changes that have been made to YouTube, this channel will never reach the heights of my previous channel. The game has changed so drastically and I'm not willing to game my thumbnails and go to gatherings to suck up to editors. I promise you, short of some miracle, this channel will never reach 60,000 subscribers (the count on my old channel). And that's fine.

[RockingJamboree]

@persistenceofvideo Why start a new channel? Is this your "Richard Bachman"? Your way of proving the first time wasn't a fluke. Is this your "Jeff is Old"? Your knock-about channel for stuff that isn't directly related to your central themes.

[persistenceofvideo]

@RockingJamboree I felt like a clean, fresh start would be best. It's nothing about disproving a fluke nor is it a knock-about channel, it is my new main channel. My last channel lost focus a long, long time ago, and most of the subscribers over there were dead channels anyway, from front page features long forgotten.

[RockingJamboree]

@persistenceofvideo Well, good luck with the fresh start. You've earned another new subscriber in me. Peace, be well and rock on!

[MisterDoodyHead]

good stuff.

[TheCoryKid]

And what's wrong with writing for money?

Does the garbage man collect garbage from the curb because he's philosophically inclined to do so?

Why should a writer write for any reason other than profit?

[persistenceofvideo]

@TheCoryKid There's nothing inherently wrong with it. But when you start off doing something for the love of doing it, and then people start paying you for doing it, that IS going to change your output. You're going to want more views, more subscribers, and you're going to create content that appeals to the lowest common denominator (in MOST cases).

[ThatBookGirl]

@TheCoryKid Because if you write solely for profit, you offer nothing new. You put out something people already know they want to see, which means that they've already seen it. There's nothing wrong with making money from art. But money shouldn't be the only reason. At least that's how I see it.

[TheFairyTerry]

This video was amazing, it has really made me think about who I used to be and who I have become. It's not pretty but it is a realization. So thank you, for being real, this made my day.

[persistenceofvideo]

@TheFairyTerry You're welcome! And thank you!

[JDunnWilson94]

this video has opened up my mind to a lot of things. thank you.

[jcmik]

Brilliant work.

[OnTheBigAdventure]

this was so lovely, and such an interesting way to look at creating.

[auBatgnauL]

Made me think. And I like thinking:)

Especially the "making something just for making something" is just... important. And its also motivating... i think Iļl try nd make something^^

[TheDwarfAndMe]

This= awesome

[kateisanerd]

Not gonna lie, I got goosebumps.

[redhandgrunt]

Great video. Reminds me of Mike Lombardo's recent video.

[schemestresses]

I BET YOU CAN'T CREATE WORLD PEACE. OR DRAW A PERFECT CIRCLE FREEHAND.

[HannahIsUnoriginal]

Alan, you're rubbish, I bet you can't create successful things! (Not really... I was trying to make you prove me wrong :D)

I loved this video :)

[terralynn9]

I loved the words and was mesmerized by the video. :) Great job, Alan! Well done.

[NineYearOldToddlers]

This is a really fantastic and powerful video!

[Imagimontana]

Wow. That was... wow. I've never hit that point, but it's always been a concern in the back of my brain. Thanks - this is just the honesty I needed. Wonderfully done.

[MikeyTSH]

Amazing stuff Alan

[Atuchy]

This is so amazing and powerful. I am so impressed.

[mickeleh]

So, THAT's what typewriters are good for these days.

[MontHulmeProductions]

And THAT is how beautiful I want my work to be one day.

[fiveawesomeknitters]

Absolutely fantastic. Keep creating please. <3

[fiveawesomeknitters]

Absolutely fantastic. Keep creating please. <3

[fiveawesomeknitters]

Absolutely fantastic. Keep creating please. <3

[themaddestcat]

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and honesty. As an artist/scholar, I deal with similar issues every day (how can I keep creating when I need to be researching?), and it's nice to hear that message - keep creating - put so well.

[persistenceofvideo]

@themaddestcat Good luck with balancing life and hobby and the NEED to create. It's tough, but usually rewarding. =)

[jtburney]

Seriously, that was amazing. You have a Ph.D in amazing and I don't even think you could teach people how amazing that was. My mind was sufficiently blown. Use that creativity to help decrease world suck. DFTBAlan

[persistenceofvideo]

@jtburney Decreasing world suck is one of my favorite hobbies.

[PrincessFrany]

This is brilliant, Alan! :D It sort of reminds me of 'The Sparks Fly Upward' by John Green on your album 'Taking Leave'.

[smilenose]

alan. this is lovely. I have no other word for it.

<3

[siriusismyhero]

This video is beautiful, and I absolutely adore the poem. It's so so honest.

Side note, seeing that typewriter get smashed pained me so much.

[persistenceofvideo]

@siriusismyhero Thanks for watching and commenting. There are plenty more typewriters out there, promise not to smash any more. =)

[hangingwithNadine]

You know, Alan. I love you, but I think you may have hit your wall, maybe you can't create awesome stuff anymore... (was that good, do we get more videos now?)

Also, I know its not, but I'm going to consider your return to making videos a birthday present to me (for the record its one of the best presents I've ever received).

[persistenceofvideo]

@hangingwithNadine Happy Birthday!

[hangingwithNadine]

@persistenceofvideo Why thank, sir. And thank you for the wonderful sort-of-present.

[extrovertigo]

My subscription box sent me here! I loved this Alan. Kudos on an amazing video and poem.

[iliveonplanetspace]

There are so many minds left for you to reach. 

[Covonial]

well that was pretentious

[laurarose831]

Alan, this is wonderful. I love the rhythm of your voice and the simultaneous calm and energy in the images. I hope to see more like this from you!

[persistenceofvideo]

@laurarose831 Thanks Laura, I'm really happy you enjoyed it. I will definitely be posting more. Writing the next video now (well, not RIGHT now, replying to comments right now, but SOOOON). =)

[italktosnakes]

This was amazing, Alan. :D

[persistenceofvideo]

@italktosnakes Thanks Kristina, appreciate the support. <3

[spiffinglycino]

Wow this is utterly fantastic.

[evilpenguindudette]

Alex Day sent me here via Twitter

[ArtyFartyLuvsToParty]

I sent me here!

[fortunos]

If you think like that, you lose. You either stop or you go insane, go mainstream for the money or the fame. Now prove me you didn't lose. Create something.

[Qwaszxa3]

You. Are. Brilliant. :D

[JodieRoxSox99]

Alex Day's tweet sent me here! :D

[Qwaszxa3]

Alex Day sent me here... by choice not by force xD x

[sn4kp4k]

So where DO you go from here? 

[yukiibeauty07]

I love how this stands alone, on it's own channel. It is a phenomenal piece of art, this video.

[thenextbigthing12]

Alan, you amaze me every time you do something. =)

[Hatgooch]

You can't create something.

You're welcome ;)

[RockingJamboree]

Do you remember when Music wasn't just the center of ART, but it was the center of CULTURE and CULTURAL change? Music didn't just document cultural change, it shaped it! We lost that. MUSIC got bent over and buggered by Corporate Profiteering so often, I feared that it had lost the will to be relevant.

DFTBA is more than music. It's about giving power back to the people that matter, the artists and the audience. That's good. But have you gone far enough? There is more to say.

[persistenceofvideo]

@RockingJamboree I agree a thousand percent. I miss the music of the 60s and 70s, hell, even the 80s had a number of very good artists. I haven't been inspired by much of the mainstream crap of the last few decades though. I want to be MOVED again. ANGERED. INSPIRED. CRUSHED. SOMETHING.

[HP7letitbe]

amazing. I hope this video inspires other content creators in a the 2011 slump.

[persistenceofvideo]

@HP7letitbe me too! I miss a few people who never post anymore.

[crazzyladies08]

That was so beautiful. I love how honest and moving it is. Great job.

[persistenceofvideo]

@crazzyladies08 Thank you crazzy!

[RedVolly]

Great video...now off to think...

[persistenceofvideo]

@RedVolly Glad it got the brain juices flowing.

[coolchip88]

@persistenceofvideo I agree 100%!

[TheCooper365Project]

This is really, really great. Good job!

[persistenceofvideo]

@TheCooper365Project Thanks dude!

[drubasna]

I liked, favorited and subscribed...I do this very rarely, just letting you know.

I love videos like this....

[persistenceofvideo]

@drubasna Well then I really appreciate it, thanks for watching and liking and favoriting and subscribing.

[FamilyFirstJ]

This is so artistic!

[emilylime88]

Congratulations on all of your amazing success, and everything you have brought the world, and how much you've done for Nerdfighteria. It wouldn't be the same without you.

Beautiful video.

[SkittleStar79]

I like how this video still has me thinking about it after its ended. Really well done Alan <3

[persistenceofvideo]

@SkittleStar79 Thanks skittlestar, I love your username.... mmm, tasty rainbows.

[WikiRiffs]

Once I'd listened to this once, I listened again.

Alan... How are you so awesome?

[persistenceofvideo]

@WikiRiffs Appreciate the comment and the tweet, wikiriff!

[alliteration1247]

I would argue that being in the habit of creating is a good thing.

[rionhunter]

You could help other people try and reach the same goals?

[persistenceofvideo]

@rionhunter I do, daily. I love helping others when they get stuck on creative projects.

[SagaQvarfordt]

Do more videos in black and white! I love this video!

[persistenceofvideo]

@SagaQvarfordt If you ever watched me on fiveawesomeguys I was black and white in almost every video!

[silverghostDK]

Maybe try a new kind of art? challenge yourself :) Really liked the video.

[persistenceofvideo]

@silverghostDK Thanks for watching. I'm going to be trying more video art, see if that doesn't re-energize me for a while. =)

[trueartgirl]

when there is nothing left to prove you have yourself left ^_^ (or was it yourself all along?) hmmmmm

[CAlex6977]

You can't create something.

[IJethrobot]

Oh no, the poor typewriter! : P

Brave words, Alan. We miss you and your presence here on YouTube.

~ Jethro.

[xperpetualmotion]

Wow, this was fantastic, Alan.

[persistenceofvideo]

@xperpetualmotion Thanks Karen! You should use your YouTube powers to change the YT logo to link to this video, you know, just for fun. =P

[floresceres]

This is such an amazing video. I love it so much, Alan

[persistenceofvideo]

@floresceres Thank you! Appreciate everyone watching and commenting so quickly. =)

[eerereps]

good stuff for us up and coming artists...

[AdamOfNebb]

I'm one of the ones who's rocked out to your music in Canada and loved it. Thanks Mr. Lastufka.

[ThatNorwegianTv]

So great! =)

[BeanzimusPrime]

This is excellent! I totally agree with the whole idea of creating for the purpose of creation, and the way you described the transition over time and where the road may lead was really something I could connect with. Thanks, and keep up the exceptional work!

[zenuga]

One of the best videos I've seen on youtube. Great work, really!!

[Speilbilde]

I have under 20 items in my list of Favourites. This is now one of them. I really loved the way you put it together. The black and white is beautiful, the voice-over is great and the honesty of the things said is awesome. Great video altogether! :)

[lauar21]

Ack! Why why why did you break that lovely typewriter?!

Anywhoozle: enjoyed this a lot. Very thoughtful both in terms of words and images. Can't wait to see what else you'll be doing with your new creative journey.

[abreenacrystal]

Your honesty in the analysis of your own thoughts and fears makes this fantastic!

[ItTakesII]

Your words and videos never cease to continue proving that your creativity knows no bounds. I'm quite excited about this new channel!

-Julian

[iwearfiestapants]

I love how honest you are in this. but maybe you should find something that angers you. because anger's an amazing motivator

[persistenceofvideo]

@iwearfiestapants I get angry all the time, usually about software not working, or the internet going out, or the gas station being out of beef jerky. I have a lot of worthy causes to fight for.

[Ironballs69]

When the legend becomes fact print the legend.

[thatawkwardmoment]

Beautiful video Alan <3

[persistenceofvideo]

@thatawkwardmoment Thanks Laura!

[KeithGrose10]

Alan, this is amazing. Subscribing for future reference.

[persistenceofvideo]

@KeithGrose10 Thanks Keith, appreciate it. Hope not to disappoint with future videos. =)

[eeks1120]

This is so incredible and very powerful. Great job :)

[persistenceofvideo]

@eeks1120 Thank you Erica!

[coolchip88]

John Greens tweets sent me here!

[persistenceofvideo]

@coolchip88 John Green is the best.

[lauradoestheastro]

That paintbrush in water looks so rad.

[persistenceofvideo]

@lauradoestheastro Yeah, definitely one of the surprising shots that turned out better than I had thought it would. =)

[AnHourInAMinuteLG]

I DARE YOU! cuz then you will make some more amazing and thoughtful art. Good luck, you have all of nerdfightaria and more behind you. (well, at least i can speak from myself.) :) L

[persistenceofvideo]

@AnHourInAMinuteLG Thanks! Challenge accepted.

[bombsfadeaway]

I really loved helping out with this project, and it came out great. Looking forward to more soon <3

[persistenceofvideo]

@bombsfadeaway Thanks babe, it was a fun weekend. =)

[songsfrompaul]

Fantastic video, Alan. I look forward to seeing more in the future! :)

[persistenceofvideo]

@songsfrompaul Thanks Paul, guess I should start writing the next video now - so much pressure! lol

[Marcelevision]

ah! you're amazing AND you answer comments? Thats awesome!

[persistenceofvideo]

@Marcelevision What's the point in turning comments on if you're not going to read (and respond) to them? =)

[mickeleh]

Well done, Alan. Looking forward to following your journey as you begin again.

[persistenceofvideo]

@mickeleh Thanks mickeleh, as always, appreciate your support and thoughts.

[persistenceofvideo]

@PickleFlick Thanks! I won't be stopping, I'm just getting started... again. =)