The Future of Veritasium

[00:00] (cardboard crunching) and you can skip ahead to the answer if you like, You know, I started this YouTube channel in 2011

[00:16] In units of kilogram. This is the repre- I spent making videos on this channel,

[00:29] Gives mass to the other subatomic part- because there was basically no money to be made. In my first year working full time, I made $840.

[00:44] In my second year, I earned $12,000. the three things that I always loved doing the most, learning about science, teaching,

[00:59] and creating, like performing and making videos. I personally think I'd be terrible at selling things. It'll change your life."

[01:13] I kickstarted a magnetic molecular modeling kit but I hardly ever mention it And I figure if you're looking for something like that,

[01:26] well maybe, you'll find it. I almost never ask you to like, comment, or subscribe. Because I figure you know what you wanna do.

[01:39] We don't sell cheap merch, no t-shirts or hoodies. I want you to get more value outta me than I get out of you. that I am really passionate about is the truth,

[01:54] Our universe is an extraordinary place, oblivious to how it actually works. Well again, well, I know, I know it does

[02:10] - I think that's not just unfortunate. To give an example, in 1958, in his book, "Baby and Child Care,"

[02:23] rather than their backs And this book outsold every other book, So, it was pretty influential.

[02:36] were actually more likely to die well, the book was not promptly updated. leading to an estimated 50,000 unnecessary deaths.

[02:51] when they're in accordance with how the world actually is, or how we'd like it to be. is how do we know what's true,

[03:07] because I want to increase the level That is the fundamental mission of Veritasium. By 2013, I was fortunate enough

[03:21] started to produce enough income to live off. (suspenseful music)

[03:33] and I want to thank you, for making it possible. and what I think is the biggest challenge

[03:46] facing any creator, which is precariousness. I mean, how much you make in any given month And then, there's the comment section

[03:59] is basically tied to how well your videos are received. is just not knowing when this is all going to end, your last successful video,

[04:14] doing what you have been doing. who told me I needed to quote, "Stay relevant."

[04:26] Now, I'm not gonna name names, but I have seen friends and other creators who have stopped making stuff like maybe they've gotten injured or gotten really sick.

[04:40] I mean, there's just a million ways for things to go wrong and only really one way for them to continue to go right. is that the YouTube algorithm

[04:54] I think that's the scariest, because it is so common A violinist placed in one of these rooms was by limiting my expenses.

[05:09] I didn't book travel to filming locations. That is Chernobyl Nuclear reactor number 4.

[05:21] and editing myself. Even the crappy animations, yes, all of that was me. and me depending on it for survival, I was okay.

[05:34] When I had my first kid in 2016, I launched a Patreon to try to ensure that I could always take care of my family, It grew to a size where it was ridiculous

[05:48] I am perhaps the slowest editor you will ever meet, but hiring takes time. at the top of my priority list?

[06:03] on making that next video. but not because I was looking for them, I mean, the first person I worked with consistently

[06:17] And I only found him because he recognized me in a Chipotle. He's researched and written for this channel, plus he's edited, done VFX, made simulations.

[06:31] original music for videos, I hired Petr Lebedev I hired Emily Zang 20 minutes into a Zoom call

[06:45] I found out about you through a friend, Xyla Foxlin. "Oh my god, Derek Muller was texting me." and you were just like,

[06:58] "Well, this is a different interview process." - And then I said, "Do you wanna work with me? - And I was like, "I guess. In how soon?"

[07:13] (Derek and Emily laughing) was my editor, Trenton. I got through cold emails.

[07:27] to have good animations?" "I've seen your animations and I think I can do better." I was like slightly offended reading the email,

[07:40] "Well, if you think you can do better, let's see it." - And we said yes. - You were like, "We can't do that right now,

[07:53] and produce a video as a freelancer?" - And I was like, "That's crazy." But if they found me and seemed decent,

[08:08] By 2021, I had this talented little team So you might think that I could delegate tasks to them but what actually happened was the opposite.

[08:23] because I had to prepare things for them to do You know, I was still editing about half of the videos, I would often drive across Los Angeles

[08:36] because this is the fastest method of data transfer and launch the video by 6:00 AM. than any other year of my life,

[08:51] where instead of tucking my kids into bed, making videos for this channel. which was that this was not sustainable.

[09:07] because even though we got engaged seven years previous we hadn't found the time to have a wedding. when in 2022, these two guys, Owen and Ian,

[09:23] They had started a company called Electrify, build better businesses and achieve work-life balance. for I guess 13 years at that point.

[09:38] and even more of that great stuff. They would buy some of the business, They would take care of things like hiring, production,

[09:52] taxes, all that sort of stuff. So, it was kind of the perfect offer at the perfect time. and all that stuff.

[10:07] Like that's always what it's been about. Plus with the cash they would pay up front for equity, of being a creator, especially at a time

[10:20] and shorts were just starting. And this would allow me to always be able to provide with fewer working hours,

[10:32] So, it was kind of a no brainer. and since then, Veritasium has been owned and run Now, I've seen some comments concerned

[10:46] which I totally get. and just pump out way more videos But fortunately, you don't have to wonder

[10:59] for nearly three years. We have produced some of the most successful videos you collectively have spent the most time watching

[11:16] The videos on forever chemicals, blue LEDs, Videos like these have steadily increased In fact, the last four months

[11:32] that people are spending watching the channel. has increased by 50%. by simply pumping out more videos.

[11:45] has remained basically constant. We've continued to do deep dives And because of that, the length of videos

[11:59] But that's a trend that began before Electrify. is by adding more people. There are now over 30 people working on Veritasium,

[12:11] animators, editors, and production staff. for some of your favorite videos. on Teflon, and PFAS, and Monsanto,

[12:27] the principle of lease action series, With Emily, we made blue LEDs Henry was responsible

[12:39] Sulli explored the construction and what happened to Amelia Earhart. on Oppenheimer and Japanese swords.

[12:51] and lithium ion batteries. and six degrees of separation. I could go on, but the point is far from cutting costs,

[13:03] Most of that goes to the team. but we come together a few times a year When you see a beautifully animated scene, it's not AI.

[13:19] and animated by a person too. It's like a movie studio. Videos like PFAS or Monsanto

[13:34] So we've only been able to make those videos now, who can properly advise us. So I mean, it just, it's expanded our capability.

[13:48] the level of critical thinking in the world is a big one, by making YouTube videos. I didn't have the time or bandwidth for anything else.

[14:01] we have expanded our approach. and we're making original Shorts for YouTube. into languages like Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese,

[14:16] in addition to maintaining dedicated channels a free science newsletter. with over 11,000 backers.

[14:29] and additional channels are in the works. and that's fine, but I hope you agree with me with more rigorously produced science content.

[14:44] and we also use multiple experts with every video. We also post early versions to our Patreon supporters If we ever mess up, and I know it happens,

[15:01] I welcome your constructive criticism. I want you to help us improve. and spend more time with my now four kids.

[15:16] This summer, we traveled around the Azores, Iceland, and visited my family in Vancouver. And just last month, I finally got married

[15:30] (upbeat music)

[15:45] I could not have picked a better or more patient partner with whom to spend the rest of my life. Well, at some point I will,

[15:58] What I can tell you is that I won't be around as much, You know, in some upcoming videos, I will not appear at all,

[16:10] And this is to give me more time to spend with my family and contemplate other projects. that what started as my passion project,

[16:26] I am inspired by each and every one of them, You know, they're paid well and they produce excellent work.

[16:38] to see all these super intelligent people of increasing the level of critical thinking in the world. that I am no longer doing this alone.

[16:53] Now, the team is like a juggernaut. with their own momentum. what we're able to accomplish together.

[17:08] And if you have any questions or ideas for the channel, And as always, thanks for watching. (logo whizzing)