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tehgerbil

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#306734 16-Aug-2023 22:11
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Anyone else following the Linus train wreck? 

One of his former employees has come out saying she was constantly harrassed and degraded, going into disturbing detail in a tweet posted after GN's video went viral. NSFW. The post in full.

I have watched Linus for years, he's OG PCMR. 


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Kraven
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  #3116930 16-Aug-2023 22:37
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They just posted this...

 




Qazzy03
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  #3116933 16-Aug-2023 22:54
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I don't watch LTT however, I saw the two GN videos. 

 

I checked out the LTT subreddit and there has been a lot going on. 

 

I saw some of Madison tweets but I didn't have the heart to read the rest. 

 

The apology video is pretty bad, very tone deaf with all the "jokes" and sponsor plug/gags,

 

Linus's crying segment was just like *insert every youtube apology video to the community*


nzkc
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  #3116937 16-Aug-2023 23:12
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Qazzy03:

 

The apology video is pretty bad, very tone deaf with all the "jokes" and sponsor plug/gags,

 

 

Agree. I even commented this on the video before I saw this comment.

 

And then there are the tweets by an ex employee... I'm pretty sure this video would have been recorded and scheduled before she posted those. Of course there are always two sides to a story, though this side is extremely damning to LMG.




Lias
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  #3117334 17-Aug-2023 22:14
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I watch(ed) LTT, not religiously but regularly enough that I own merch from LTTStore.com. Linus could have taken the criticism on board, mea culpa'd, and fixed it.. instead he had a tantrum and doubled down. I can't see myself ever watching his videos again after this trainwreck.





I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.


Lias
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  #3117335 17-Aug-2023 22:15
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Qazzy03:

 

Linus's crying segment was just like *insert every youtube apology video to the community*

 

 

Very much.. after his initial tantrum instead of an apology, I don't believe any apology to be genuine, it will just be damage control.





I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.


surfisup1000
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  #3117406 18-Aug-2023 08:59
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Linus was recently offered 100 million for his company. He should have taken it.

  #3117412 18-Aug-2023 09:08
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Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).
LostBoyNZ
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  #3117500 18-Aug-2023 11:05
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Having watched the WAN show discussion about how Eufy security cameras are publically viewable and his very valid criticism of how they handled the news by declining it was a problem and such, I think it's clear Linus already knew how this should have been handled. He's said before when a company makes a mistake they should just take the L head on and be open about it. Which is not what he did at all.

 

I also thought the apology video didn't feel genuine. I don't mind the jokes, I laughed, but (and perhaps this is just me) the whole everyone is reading a script thing bothered me more. I wish it was just people speaking their mind to the camera, unscripted, and maybe have a cut and uncut version for length.

 

I can understand why they need to release so many videos and at such a pace, they have 120 or so employees to support along with many huge projects, buildings to buy etc. But yeah if they can't be accurate with their information, I think they risk losing their core community.

 

Ultimately I think they're so huge they'll get through this storm and I hope this pause week actually does product some tangible results, likewise I hope over time that the experienced CEO helps create a better environment for the employees and a better balance of quality vs quantity.

 

 


cddt
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  #3117543 18-Aug-2023 12:39
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LostBoyNZ:

 

I think it's clear Linus already knew how this should have been handled. He's said before when a company makes a mistake they should just take the L head on and be open about it. Which is not what he did at all.

 

 

Turns out it is easier to tell others to do the right thing than do it yourself. 

 

LostBoyNZ:

 

I can understand why they need to release so many videos and at such a pace, they have 120 or so employees to support along with many huge projects, buildings to buy etc. But yeah if they can't be accurate with their information, I think they risk losing their core community.

 

 

Breakneck growth makes sense if you're planning to sell. But apparently Linus already turned down a $100m offer. So it seems like growth for the sake of it - they've lost their way. 

 

 

 

I haven't watched any of the videos involved in this drama, wouldn't know where to start and generally hate watching videos anyway! 


  #3117616 18-Aug-2023 13:41
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cddt:

 

I haven't watched any of the videos involved in this drama, wouldn't know where to start and generally hate watching videos anyway! 

 

 

It all started with the below video from Gamers Nexus

 


heavenlywild
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  #3117620 18-Aug-2023 13:50
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All very poor. Used to be watching LTT videos religiously and other off shoots channels.

 

This changes everything, for me at least. I won't be watching anymore. 

 

Agree with the sentiments above, the apology did not seem genuine and the fact they made jokes and referred to merch stuff is just... unbelievably stupid.

 

Most of their videos will now be tainted with "is the review genuine or accurate?" questions.

 

When you get too big in the industry your ego grows and if not managed properly, the next step is the ground floor.


reven
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  #3117650 18-Aug-2023 14:43
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Gez, I think the apology video was spot on to be honest.  They addressed the concerns, owned up to the mistakes, are putting processes in place.  Basically all that was asked of them.

 

 

 

The jokes were good, its who they are, theyre entertainment.   The dbrand joke made me laugh.

 

 

 

The forum post repsonse was bad, that was so so bad.


tehgerbil

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  #3117857 18-Aug-2023 21:22
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reven:

 

Gez, I think the apology video was spot on to be honest.  They addressed the concerns, owned up to the mistakes, are putting processes in place.  Basically all that was asked of them.

 

 

 

The jokes were good, its who they are, theyre entertainment.   The dbrand joke made me laugh.

 

 

 

The forum post repsonse was bad, that was so so bad.

 

 

 

 

Regardless of what you thought of video itself, can we agree the "apology" was just too much. As most HR dpts or lawyers will tell you - Less is best.

 

LTT only needed to acknowledge Steves videoThat. Is. It. They (LTT) did not need to correct Steve, or even apologise, or actually say anything whatsoever. Just acknowledge the video and move on. 

 

 

 

Although I must say though Linus came across as calling Steve out for creating public drama by not approaching him privately, which really reeks of hypocrisy. 

 

Linus thrives on drama, denouncing another content creator for creating drama is the pot calling the kettle black.   


Handle9
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  #3117861 18-Aug-2023 21:34
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Regardless of what Linus said in the video there would be an element who would react negatively.

 

I enjoy GN technical stuff but he's way OTT on consumer topics. I can understand why Linus would be annoyed not to have had a discussion about his issues with them. It did read of click bait, even though it was demonetized.

 

It'll all blow over in a couple of weeks.


Qazzy03
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  #3117871 18-Aug-2023 22:23
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Handle9:

 

It did read of click bait, 

 

 

What?

 

Steve backed up his title "The Problem with Linus Tech Tips: Accurarcy, Ethics and Responsibility" with a 40 minute video. Talking about about errors in videos, then backing that up with LTT staff saying previously that they wish didn't have such a short turn around on videos and wished they had more time for quality. Steve talked about how damaging a review could be, how they have millions of people that will buy or not buy on their advice. Talked about conflicts of interest with some of the shares and business deals that may influence the type of review they give. 

 

All LTT needed to do was come out and say:

 

yup there are somethings we can do better, we are going to re-think our QA and QC for reviews and videos and if something is wrong we will take down the video and put up a corrected one in its place. We will review any conflicts of interest and have a plan on how to be more transparent or choose not to review some products/companies when LTT/LMG have a vested interest in them. 

 

That's all the needed to happen imo, no uncanny valley fake tears PR bullshit apology video. 

 

Oh and Linus needs a dedicated PR team to handle his internet comms. 

 

**Disclaimer I have a bias here as a GN sub and enjoy Steve's humour and I like how he goes OTT on the consumer stuff**


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