Dan & Phil Part 48: Exposing themselves via fidget spinner

[000dia000]

This is the kind of content I love, I've been waiting so long to see something like this, however I'm beginning to realize I might be alone in this. I hope Dan isn't discouraged because I'm interested in hearing his thoughts on similar ideas. I like that instead of reverting to the typical "I'm so depressed lol" (well he did do some of that) he did offer up an alternative method of dealing with issues, of finding meaning within oneself instead of finding meaning in an external thing. I think he provided a more positive outlook that he more typically would, while the self-depreciation is still there, he seems to be finding some other message to be giving to his fans.

I like this type of content btw does anybody else feel the same way? I kind of have similar interests to Dan with the sort of deep-internet culture he reads. While I get that some people may not particularly like it, I like to think positively that at least he made content, and something quite original. I've been waiting for a topic video for a very long time, while he has done good story videos, he hasn't done a video like this, that was done well, since I first subscribed around 2015. I just found him really charming in this, he spoke really well, and was on point in everything he said. For some reason his voice sounds much deeper than usual, I wonder if this is a conscious decision he wanted to make? He anticipated bringing in a new audience and wanted to appear more serious and mature?

I'm intrigued by his new outro of the monochromatic, lower case "daniel howell" with the weird alien sound effects. I'm trying to think of what this outro reminds me of, but I can't think of it right now. I don't know if I like it, but it's different, and I like change. It's good for Dan to try new things, even in just the style of his intros/outros. I will always miss the very jpeg explosion over danisnonfire thought Then again, I do like the way he seems to be making an actual application of his "re-branding" rather than just talk-talk-talk he has actually delivered. However, I'm worried though that this won't be accessible for his current audience, and he may grow insecure again. In summary: I really like it.

[xaephan]

Honestly I'm more confused by this vid than anything. What is he trying to do? Say? I know I have a short attention span, but I watched the entire thing but still haven't grasped what the main theme of this video is.

I guess it's good that Dan is branching out and doing different things, but I'm not a fan of this one. His new end screen is also...something...for sure

[sparkle]

there was a lack of pauses in this video, be it a skit or just like.... a breather. or even a joke. i just kinda felt attacked by words.

kinda felt like, if he'd made it in the old flat there'd have been changes of background. But we ended up in a corner with the Muse poster or with a weird edit that looks more like a Phil video than a Dan one?

He does look a bit healthier though, it might just be my opinion but he looks less knackered.

EDIT: posted and then saw this and I don't want to spam

This is the kind of content I love, I've been waiting so long to see something like this, however I'm beginning to realize I might be alone in this. I hope Dan isn't discouraged because I'm interested in hearing his thoughts on similar ideas. I like that instead of reverting to the typical "I'm so depressed lol" (well he did do some of that) he did offer up an alternative method of
I think he provided a more positive outlook that he more typically would, while the self-depreciation is still there, he seems to be finding some other message to be giving to his fans.

I like this type of content btw does anybody else feel the same way? I kind of have similar interests to Dan with the sort of deep-internet culture he reads. While I get that some people may not particularly like it, I like to think positively that at least he made content, and something quite original. I've been waiting for a topic video for a very long time, while he has done good story videos, he hasn't done a video like this, that was done well, since I first subscribed around 2015. I just found him really charming in this, he spoke really well, and was on point in everything he said. For some reason his voice sounds much deeper than usual, I wonder if this is a conscious decision he wanted to make? He anticipated bringing in a new audience and wanted to appear more serious and mature?

I'm intrigued by his new outro of the monochromatic, lower case "daniel howell" with the weird alien sound effects. I'm trying to think of what this outro reminds me of, but I can't think of it right now. I don't know if I like it, but it's different, and I like change. It's good for Dan to try new things, even in just the style of his intros/outros. I will always miss the very jpeg explosion over danisnonfire thought Then again, I do like the way he seems to be making an actual application of his "re-branding" rather than just talk-talk-talk he has actually delivered. However, I'm worried though that this won't be accessible for his current audience, and he may grow insecure again. In summary: I really like it.

I really agree with you! Esp. the bolded. Dans videos helped me deal with my own 'quarter life crisis' when I was 18/19 and I felt like I grew up and his stuff was less relevant? If he continues in this vein sign me the fuck up. More mature Dan content? Yep. I have a bunch of similar interests to his too, and I want him to talk about them and just be himself?

I'm still confused as fuck about the point of the video but I can get on board with it. If this is the direction he's taking himself in, I'm excited to see what he does. I'm gonna consider this an ice breaker for now.

[alittledizzy]

This is the kind of content I love, I've been waiting so long to see something like this, however I'm beginning to realize I might be alone in this. I hope Dan isn't discouraged because I'm interested in hearing his thoughts on similar ideas. I like that instead of reverting to the typical "I'm so depressed lol" (well he did do some of that) he did offer up an alternative method of dealing with issues, of finding meaning within oneself instead of finding meaning in an external thing. I think he provided a more positive outlook that he more typically would, while the self-depreciation is still there, he seems to be finding some other message to be giving to his fans.

I like this type of content btw does anybody else feel the same way? I kind of have similar interests to Dan with the sort of deep-internet culture he reads. While I get that some people may not particularly like it, I like to think positively that at least he made content, and something quite original. I've been waiting for a topic video for a very long time, while he has done good story videos, he hasn't done a video like this, that was done well, since I first subscribed around 2015. I just found him really charming in this, he spoke really well, and was on point in everything he said. For some reason his voice sounds much deeper than usual, I wonder if this is a conscious decision he wanted to make? He anticipated bringing in a new audience and wanted to appear more serious and mature?

I'm intrigued by his new outro of the monochromatic, lower case "daniel howell" with the weird alien sound effects. I'm trying to think of what this outro reminds me of, but I can't think of it right now. I don't know if I like it, but it's different, and I like change. It's good for Dan to try new things, even in just the style of his intros/outros. I will always miss the very jpeg explosion over danisnonfire thought Then again, I do like the way he seems to be making an actual application of his "re-branding" rather than just talk-talk-talk he has actually delivered. However, I'm worried though that this won't be accessible for his current audience, and he may grow insecure again. In summary: I really like it.

I have no issue at all with the content, it just felt very badly scripted. If he wants to make videos on topics relevant to his current interests I am all for it but he needs to script it tightly enough and explain it well enough that most of the audience isn't left going, "What, what does that even mean?" He tried to cover a few topics and ended up actually covering none of them. He didn't clarify if he was speaking from a personal narrative or if it was supposed to be widespread advice. He basically strung together a bunch of generalities about life and what humor is to people and the nature of human desire to achieve and accomplish but in such a way that there was no underlying moral that linked the beginning of the video to the end of it.

If this is actually just his first step toward deeper videos then I will be his biggest supporter in that endeavor. I just hope he does actually listen to feedback and take constructive criticism and understand that people are reacting badly because they're confused, not because they're not supportive, instead of just flouncing back to pure humor because it wasn't immediately well-received.

[SneakyLizard]

This is the kind of content I love, I've been waiting so long to see something like this, however I'm beginning to realize I might be alone in this. I hope Dan isn't discouraged because I'm interested in hearing his thoughts on similar ideas. I like that instead of reverting to the typical "I'm so depressed lol" (well he did do some of that) he did offer up an alternative method of dealing with issues, of finding meaning within oneself instead of finding meaning in an external thing. I think he provided a more positive outlook that he more typically would, while the self-depreciation is still there, he seems to be finding some other message to be giving to his fans.

I like this type of content btw does anybody else feel the same way? I kind of have similar interests to Dan with the sort of deep-internet culture he reads. While I get that some people may not particularly like it, I like to think positively that at least he made content, and something quite original. I've been waiting for a topic video for a very long time, while he has done good story videos, he hasn't done a video like this, that was done well, since I first subscribed around 2015. I just found him really charming in this, he spoke really well, and was on point in everything he said. For some reason his voice sounds much deeper than usual, I wonder if this is a conscious decision he wanted to make? He anticipated bringing in a new audience and wanted to appear more serious and mature?

I'm intrigued by his new outro of the monochromatic, lower case "daniel howell" with the weird alien sound effects. I'm trying to think of what this outro reminds me of, but I can't think of it right now. I don't know if I like it, but it's different, and I like change. It's good for Dan to try new things, even in just the style of his intros/outros. I will always miss the very jpeg explosion over danisnonfire thought Then again, I do like the way he seems to be making an actual application of his "re-branding" rather than just talk-talk-talk he has actually delivered. However, I'm worried though that this won't be accessible for his current audience, and he may grow insecure again. In summary: I really like it.

Glad you like it too. I worry that he'll get all sensitive and pull back with too much criticism, even kindly meant, helpful criticism (how is such a sensitive guy in such a public and vulnerable field? It's gotta be agony.) But he's exploring and that's great. He is also very beautiful.

[Catallena]

I'm in a bad mood and emotionally drained over another fandom so don't take me too seriously as I'm not even gonna be long winded about this but I hated that. Yeah he's trying something new and oh boy the ~rebrand~ is here but I enjoyed literally nothing about that. It was like pretentious fake deep inspirational liveshow!Dan, except very scripted and with more memes. And ugh.. liveshow!Dan is worst Dan. Saying a whole lot of nothing with too many words, some general shit wisdom and peopele will praise him for it while it's just obnoxious as far as I'm concerned. Sorry not sorry, gonna hide from all the Dan stans now.

[lefthandedism]

This is the kind of content I love, I've been waiting so long to see something like this, however I'm beginning to realize I might be alone in this. I hope Dan isn't discouraged because I'm interested in hearing his thoughts on similar ideas. I like that instead of reverting to the typical "I'm so depressed lol" (well he did do some of that) he did offer up an alternative method of dealing with issues, of finding meaning within oneself instead of finding meaning in an external thing. I think he provided a more positive outlook that he more typically would, while the self-depreciation is still there, he seems to be finding some other message to be giving to his fans.

I like this type of content btw does anybody else feel the same way? I kind of have similar interests to Dan with the sort of deep-internet culture he reads. While I get that some people may not particularly like it, I like to think positively that at least he made content, and something quite original. I've been waiting for a topic video for a very long time, while he has done good story videos, he hasn't done a video like this, that was done well, since I first subscribed around 2015. I just found him really charming in this, he spoke really well, and was on point in everything he said. For some reason his voice sounds much deeper than usual, I wonder if this is a conscious decision he wanted to make? He anticipated bringing in a new audience and wanted to appear more serious and mature?

I'm intrigued by his new outro of the monochromatic, lower case "daniel howell" with the weird alien sound effects. I'm trying to think of what this outro reminds me of, but I can't think of it right now. I don't know if I like it, but it's different, and I like change. It's good for Dan to try new things, even in just the style of his intros/outros. I will always miss the very jpeg explosion over danisnonfire thought Then again, I do like the way he seems to be making an actual application of his "re-branding" rather than just talk-talk-talk he has actually delivered. However, I'm worried though that this won't be accessible for his current audience, and he may grow insecure again. In summary: I really like it.

I really liked it! I always like it when Dan tries to get into some serious discussion. I agree that his argumentation wasn't perfect, and the video felt a bit compressed, but I liked the cool monochrome vibe (background, clothes, endscreen) and the cool, serious tone. I also noticed that Dan's voice was deeper than usual, but I put it down to possible cold/allergies!

[LtrllySusan]

I just watched it again (because I don't see myself rewatching it in the future) and wrote down all the topics he touches upon:

- Internet culture (sense of community through memes, self-definition through memes?)
- Meaning of life in different time periods
- Escapism, media usage motivation, critisicm of media-created realities
- Career discontent
- DAN TOPLESS WITH PIXELATED FOREARMS
- Procrastination
- Jokes touching upon: Conspiracies (VR reality, alien life, flat earth), pirate life, anime, wikipedia (over-)usage

Aside from the lack of pauses - especially before delivering the "punch line" of memes - it's just too much context for us to have in our mind to understand what he is refering to (keyword framing). I believe that (as absurd as it sounds when I type it) a video on memes giving a sorta meaning of life through an "inwards" journey is somewhat interesting, but with that much extra stuff attached to it, it's just so confusing.

If I may smartass for a second, from my experience at university you were awarded a high grade if you explored a small topic from a small number of standpoints very elaborately - not if you put in every single theory and historical reference and quote that you have ever heard of. Of course, this is a youtube video and not a thesis but if he does want to take a more philosophical standpoint, he should get his theoretical ideas straight before applying the humour.

Thanks if anyone read all of this. Sometimes I wonder if I try too hard to smartass in here and it gets on people's nerves. I'm sorry if that's the case.

[scepticphannie]

I've been lurking for a while but finally decided to join in the discussion! This forum is literally everything I have wished for to find within the phandom

I thought the new video was so Dan! Truly deep, dark and dank with a wholesome undertone.

Maybe a bit too deep for many casual viewers who watch more the sketchy videos but when you have an idea who Dan is and how he wants to be perceived you can appreciate the video for what it is. I hope he keeps trying with some new ideas and doesn't give up if he doesn't get immediate super positive response because I really enjoy seeing a more ''real'' side of Dan which we usually don't get too see often outside the liveshows.
I think the slightly crappy and awkward filming and editing helps him not to seem too pretentious so I didn't even mind that the top of his head couldn't fit in the shot

[Aeryth]

at first I thought it was just two glasses of wine I've had but I can see that I'm not the only one who's confused

anyway he seems to be really passionate about the topic. I'd better watch it again tomorrow

[fancybum]

I liked it because I really liked the Aliens discussion video with Phil from last year 2015. Him yammering a bunch of bullshit is what I get up for in the morning, so if he could continue down this path (maybe with more sketches? or nah?) I'll be much happy very content.

Also he covered the nips again, so whoever had some conspiracy going about that, keep it up.

[loonyradish]

I'm not sure how to feel about the video. I think it was a nice "filler", especially because it was so short, but also because it was kinda vague? I mean, I get where he wanted to go with this, but it wasn't so clear at first. Also the idea (memes/meaning of life) is not that new, there was nothing that surprised me. Doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it, tho! It's something that I'd like to listen to in the background or in some weird philosophical mood

RE: background
Though I miss the old bedroom-background, which came off more personal, I guess I'm okay with the new one. It lacks some color imo, maybe a picture on the wall would do well?
Did anyone else notice the "new room lol"-sign on the right?
Also, saffarinda, I agree with you - Dan's a bit too close to the camera. Or the camera to Dan. Whatever:D

The outro is cool, spacy (?) - and for some reason it scares tf out of me, but I have no idea why

[bluntedclaws]

Daniel Howell is a waffly twat. I love when he's a waffly twat on live shows but something about this video just didn't work for me. (I enjoyed the editing though.)

[saffarinda]

Just thought I'd say I talked to some friend casual viewers about it and they generally liked the ideas, but wish he slowed down a bit. I feel like that's the general opinion - good concept, but needs to be steadied.

It's slightly odd because Dan often says once he's touched a topic he never wants to go back to it again, so I'm surprised he tried to shove so many thoughts and concepts into one video.

[hopinglester]

I wish I was coming to say something positive about the video but my feelings can only be summed up in this: ????????
Before going to twitter I was actually questioning whether it was me being distracted or language barriers, but I'm more relieved to find out I was not the only confused.

Firstly, about the content, I didn't understand the point of the video, I don't think it was well developed or explicit and I also disagree with a lot of his points. For example, the idea that we are in a middle point in human history and that we are stuck here is so ridiculous to me, personally? I think that we could argue exactly the opposite, this last decades have been WOW in terms of development in ways we had never seen before. Also, I think we all recognise that the idea we have of our time being worse than others is merely due to, when actually living in it, we don't see all of the changes condensed in a paragraph of a history book.

Even if I accepted that point, I just didn't get the conclusion he drew from it? This may be me with my poor understanding skills (and I'm not being ironic) but thought he never expressed straight ideas, seemed to mix concepts. I don't understand at all the connection to the memes, I kept looking at the title to see if I was reading correctly. I saw people comparing it to reddit philosophy and honesty, for me it lacked even more than that. It also seemed a bit like a mix of previous videos.

Forgetting the content for a while, I also thought the video was badly planned and executed, and also just... boring? I felt myself zoom out so many times. The lack of sketches (where is Phil when you need him), the lack of connection between what he was saying and the main point he was trying to make (which I still don't fully get) and the organisation just seemed to be so off for me.

I hope I'm not being too tough, but I just feel like everything I appreciate from Dan's videos was missing here (cohesiveness, funny sketches,...). I also don't think this was a objectively good video, because even if normal disagreements are normal, too many people were left confused and I think that really misses the mark for any youtube video.

What annoys me the most though, is that I bet Dan won't actually take the criticism at heart, because I feel like in the places he sees it (youtube comments and twitter), comments are either short praise or just random comments that fail to be constructive? Basically I wish there was a way he could get our criticism directly, because I felt like a lot of the comments here in IDB were very pertinent and interesting, and I wish he could take it as constructive criticism and build from that.
But we'll see.

Also this is obviously just my opinion and I really wish I'd love the video, and I'm happy for everyone who did, but I think this video has huge objective flaws that should be pointed out.


EDIT- just wanted to add this after seeing positive comments which actually made me really happy because I didn't want people to not enjoy the video, but to which I cannot relate at all. I don't see how this was 'deep' or 'showed the real Dan'. I didn't see anything that made me think 'wow that was interesting', and I actually think Dan is a smart bean and with more thought could have pulled off a better video. references to 'philosophical things' also maje me cringe so hard? I just find it ridiculous to compare a poorly executed 6 minute video to actually incredibly thought provoking pieces of writing or art.

[DatCog]

Love Hector!

[loonyradish]

I just watched it again (because I don't see myself rewatching it in the future) and wrote down all the topics he touches upon:

- Internet culture (sense of community through memes, self-definition through memes?)
- Meaning of life in different time periods
- Escapism, media usage motivation, critisicm of media-created realities
- Career discontent
- DAN TOPLESS WITH PIXELATED FOREARMS
- Procrastination
- Jokes touching upon: Conspiracies (VR reality, alien life, flat earth), pirate life, anime, wikipedia (over-)usage

Aside from the lack of pauses - especially before delivering the "punch line" of memes - it's just too much context for us to have in our mind to understand what he is refering to (keyword framing). I believe that (as absurd as it sounds when I type it) a video on memes giving a sorta meaning of life through an "inwards" journey is somewhat interesting, but with that much extra stuff attached to it, it's just so confusing.

If I may smartass for a second, from my experience at university you were awarded a high grade if you explored a small topic from a small number of standpoints very elaborately - not if you put in every single theory and historical reference and quote that you have ever heard of. Of course, this is a youtube video and not a thesis but if he does want to take a more philosophical standpoint, he should get his theoretical ideas straight before applying the humour.

Thanks if anyone read all of this. Sometimes I wonder if I try too hard to smartass in here and it gets on people's nerves. I'm sorry if that's the case.

Don't worry, I can only speak for myself but I don't think you're trying to hard or anything. And I agree with that last part. That's the same thing we were taught in school and university - focuse on a small topic and boil it down to the essence, instead of trying to bring in too many ideas and ending up too vague.

[cherrybomb3]

Love Hector!

indepthbants.gov.uk amirite






also dont worry LtrllySusan i feel your pain but you come across just fine

[somethingsketchy]

Okay, I think I can finally see where Dan going in this video (not that I necessarily agree with him). The video felt too rushed, but I liked the editing, the new lens and the new background. I absolutely didn't hate the video, even though it was confusing, and now I am really interested in seeing where this rebranding is going.

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but I gathered that his message was that we are living in some kind of a transition era, and instead of doing some "cool" stuff like exploring the Earth or the outer space, we can explore the Internet. While this may be technically true, the sociology student in me has to point out that the feeling of world being in a state of dramatic change right now is partly an illusion. The world is constantly changing, and every generation ever is under the impression that the change they are experiencing is somehow especially dramatic. Admittedly. I am not an expert on this particular issue, and the whole digitalisation thing feels pretty huge, so I might actually be proved wrong. We can't really reflect on the present day in retrospect yet.

I like that instead of reverting to the typical "I'm so depressed lol" (well he did do some of that) he did offer up an alternative method of dealing with issues, of finding meaning within oneself instead of finding meaning in an external thing. I think he provided a more positive outlook that he more typically would, while the self-depreciation is still there, he seems to be finding some other message to be giving to his fans.

I am all for more mature coping mechanisms. Go Dan.

[ArtyJim]

I hope he keeps trying with some new ideas and doesn't give up if he doesn't get immediate super positive response because I really enjoy seeing a more ''real'' side of Dan which we usually don't get too see often outside the liveshows.
I think the slightly crappy and awkward filming and editing helps him not to seem too pretentious so I didn't even mind that the top of his head couldn't fit in the shot

i definitely agree with you here. i'm all for dan moving in a new direction but for me personally this vid was a miss. but i dont want him to go backwards after this. this new vid still feels like too much of an 'act' to me. i wa hoping a rebrand would bring more authenticity to his videos. i just dont buy this character lol idk

[JustMe]

Even if I accepted that point, I just didn't get the conclusion he drew from it? This may be me with my poor understanding skills (and I'm not being ironic) but thought he never expressed straight ideas, seemed to mix concepts. I don't understand at all the connection to the memes, I kept looking at the title to see if I was reading correctly. I saw people comparing it to reddit philosophy and honesty, for me it lacked even more than that. It also seemed a bit like a mix of previous videos.

Forgetting the content for a while, I also thought the video was badly planned and executed, and also just... boring? I felt myself zoom out so many times. The lack of sketches (where is Phil when you need him), the lack of connection between what he was saying and the main point he was trying to make (which I still don't fully get) and the organisation just seemed to be so off for me.

I completely agree. I felt like I was waiting for a punchline, and when I thought it was finally there ("Memes!') he moved on to a different point completely and I'd forgotten what point he was trying to make before. Most of what he said was interesting to me, but because there was no clear structure or point I found myself losing interest regardless.

Do love him trying new things, editing and lighting were amazing and I felt he was more genuine than before the rebranding (less shouty in a way)

[queerofcups]

the video was fine, i don't have anything to say that y'all haven't already (interesting but confusing, confusing because it was rushed, etc) but what I'm really excited for is this really explicit step into new material, and new types of material for Dan. i suspect there'll be some real growing pains, but if he's producing stuff like this at the beginning of the journey, i'm pretty pumped for the places he'll get to

[Aurdie]

Loved Dan's new video. I'm pleased to see him take a stab at stepping outside his comfort zone and tred on a little riskier territory. Personally, I found it well done and amusing.

[flarequake]

I loved it, though I was surprised it was only six minutes long. He packed a lot into that time and I understood it all, though reading what people are saying, he could have gone deeper into a few things and maybe even separated them into different videos (or not, it really worked because he put memes and the meaning of life together like that). It felt to me like a very Dan video, only he would put those things together and give that reason for it. He had a few good points as well as funny bits. I had to pause to laugh 55 seconds in when he said "well, tough shit, you can't" after all that build-up.

I like the new background. Even though it's still fairly minimal, the light, plant and new room lol sign are enough with the desk and computer. I like the ending glitchy effect and monochrome look, though the explosion flame and sound were a great finish so it'll never quite have the same impact as that. He did look good too, but then when doesn't he.

I see where everyone's coming from about it being confusing, quick etc, but I didn't notice that and the pace for me is great. It could be slower and still be fine, but I'm having trouble watching most people lately because they're so fricking slow with their 10+ minute videos. The point about how people are graded at university is interesting, but also he might not have that experience to draw on. He did the first year and I don't know how far the first year teaches people about structuring a point brilliantly, though they should do it early so maybe they did and it's just been too long or he kinda ignores it. He was pretty wordy in his fanfiction and he waffles on in liveshows too, some of us just like it when he talks on and on (I think he'd need to rein it in a bit in fiction writing).

I hope he's not getting a ton of negative or confused feedback on Twitter or wherever he looks. I mean, since a lot of people aren't into it, he should be told, but it's a shame if things like that really put him off. I sent him a glowing review anyway, I tend to be their constant cheerleader (sometimes easily pleased, sometimes not), so he's got some praise in there.

It didn't occur to me that this was something particularly new, but I guess it's a while since he made a topic video, there have been a lot of storytimes after all the Tatinof and a few ISGs. If he's decided to be Dank Meme Howell going forward, which all the monochrome, simple font, ironic posing, and getting existential and memey just above full-on depression seems to suggest (was he that different before?) then I'm all for it, and the rest (I don't want to pigeon-hole him with any of that).

[BSV]

Hey guys! Hope everyone's well! Some one above said the new outro reminded them of something? For me, it made me think of Russell Brand's new Trews opening. Is it just me?