Why do people form such strong allegiances to technology brands? Why do discussions about e-ink tablets, writing tools, or operating systems become full-blown digital arguments?

Before I begin this 2024 rewind, I should state that if any family or friends read this (or if you have been following my journey for a while), please understand that my memory is woeful. I’m relying on YouTube videos, social media posts, and Substack articles to help jog my memory. With that in mind, I ask for your forgiveness if some details and dates aren’t 100% accurate.

Overall, I believe the content in this ‘rewind’ is generally in the right ball park!

The dislike button is a small symbol that can stir up big emotions for content creators.

Recently, a viewer left a comment on one of my videos saying they loved my channel but gave a thumbs down to that particular video. Why? Helpfully, they also left a comment, and it turns out it wasn't because of the editing, lighting, or even my presentation but simply because they didn’t like the tech product I was reviewing.

Whether writing a blog, posting videos, or working on that perfectly hilarious/philosophical/topical/[insert your own here] social media post, the early stages of building an online presence can be incredibly lonely. You might spend hours brainstorming ideas, perfecting your content, and hitting “post,” only to hear crickets.

Let me tell you from personal experience that growing a YouTube channel (or any social media account) is not just about numbers but also about building a community and a sense of belonging. The weekly grind of creating compelling videos and being consistent with uploads can be challenging. At times, you might feel you're going nowhere fast. However, a critical but often overlooked factor is engaging with your audience through comments.