A Pseudo-Intellectual’s 22 Best YouTube Videos of 2022
Those that know me are aware of my ravenous consumption of YouTube. When I’m not wasting time on the platform, I found the following great videos from 2022, designed with love from some of YouTube’s best creators.
Looking for a playlist? You can find that here.
The B1M: The Insane Scale of Europe’s New Mega-Tunnel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiYvXKQksgI
This is an inside look of a region-changing mega construction project. Provides a lens into the advantages and drawbacks of massive construction, with perspectives from every day people.
Ryan Trahan: I Survived 50 Hours in 3rd Person
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEm8McxpGeg
A must watch for those who have ever played a 3rd person video game. A curious and jarring look at how VR can affect the mind.
HealthyGamerGG: Why Gifted Kids Are Actually Special Needs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUjYy4Ksy1E
Great psychoanalysis of what it means to be gifted as a young child, and how habit formation is not emphasized for the so-called “gifted” students.
Caroline: You’re doing home organization wrong.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRGXi1aTh1w
Simple and effective common-sense tips on making your home more inviting and easier to access.
One Day in the Coldest Village on Earth | Yakutia
Simple things like cooking and taking a shower are very different at -71°C.
Tim Dessaint: How to Enhance A Basic Outfit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kicLx7sPfEY
One perspective on how to elevate and level up simple male outfits.
Wendover Productions: The Sanction-Fueled Destruction of the Russian Aviation Industry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrTrpwzVt4g
Must watch if you are curious about why flights are so expensive now. Deep dive into how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine affects the global aviation industry. Western aviation returns to the Cold War era.
Knowing Better: The Part of History You’ve Always Skipped | Neoslavery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4kI2h3iotA
A deep understanding of how true slavery did not end in the USA until much longer than you think.
Economics Explained: The Recession We Need to Have
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEpgo14jwSk
Explains the current state of the world and how economic cycles work in modern economies.
Johnny Harris: How the US Ruined Bread
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FovIyqov1uA
Fascinating look into the evolution of bread, and how this affects modern US nutrition.
City Beautiful: What Happened When They Banned Cars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcgGiHZoWBc
San Francisco’s Market Street banned car traffic. How did that work out? Learn about how simple city planning decisions affect people.
Defunctland: Disney’s FastPass: A Complicated History
The product strategy and evolution of the Disneyland FastPass, a method to reduce lines and make more money. Inside look into how theme parks make money, and a lot of it.
Honorable Mention: Wendover Productions: How to Design a Theme Park (To Take Tons of Your Money) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oESoI6XxZTg
Modern MBA: Buy Now, Pay Later: Echoes of the 2008 Recession
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1JaMRpcDrQ
Describes a strategy shift from creditors. “Buy Now Pay Later” tends to prey on the poor, and is deeply unprofitable.
Primer: How to Catch a Cheater With Math
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTcP4oo4JI4
Must-see for game theory fans! Approachable and playful introduction to an anti-cheat algorithm.
Mr. Beat: I found the least bad way to tax
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c5xjlmLfAw
If you hate taxes, have a history teacher explain a more effective form of taxation to you, invented in the 1800s.
Marques Brownlee: Who Cares About the Metaverse?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqkhjL3WvWQ
Most straightforward answer to the question: what is the metaverse? With MKBHD’s superior video production to boot.
CaspianReport: India plays both sides with America and Russia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUHdQEzOa3A
Stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, this piece offers great insight into how peace is fragile, war is ugly, and foreign policy is deeply rooted in history.
oliSUNvia: our conception of love is messed up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcbEiZQ9B7o
An exploration of how to love in the modern era, and how to be resistant to social media’s influence on love.
Vsauce: Who Took The First Selfie?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMaBVfIedFw
Expect to learn many random facts. The undisputed king of meandering educational YouTube returns to discuss a selfie.
Jaiden Animations: Being Not Straight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF1DTK4U1AM
A story about not experiencing romantic love. Broadens your horizon on what sexuality can be (in this case, asexuality) through great visual storytelling.
Ali Abdaal: My Evidence-Based Skincare Routine
Simple laid out tips on how to have great skin. Easy to follow and affordable.
Dry Creek Wrangler School: When You Just Ain’t Got it All Together
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0-ttGGB7b4
Watch if you are young and confused. Wisdom from a horse tamer on how to keep calm and carry on.
These almost made the cut.
Kurzgesagt — In a Nutshell: We WILL Fix Climate Change! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxgMdjyw8uw
Context on the state of our fight against manmade climate change. We are making progress!
Brett Kollman: Why only 30% of first round quarterbacks succeed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhQRXLhYRO4
For fans of American football and those wanting to learn, this video is an example of many on this channel that showed me the depth of this game.
Tayo Aina: Namibia: A Side of Africa the Media Won’t Show You https://youtu.be/-WrP-xU-6V0
An eye-opening view into the burgeoning tourist industry of Namibia from an African travel YouTuber.
Happy holidays and happy 2022! From an avid learner to you.