14/07/2024
Hi everyone.
Nikki here.
You may have noticed that our comments have been turned off on videos. This will likely result in a massive downshift in comment interaction, and people claiming that we are trampling on free speech. We are not.
However, the level of hate and violence represented in our comments section has been growing in a seemingly exponential way of late. Every single day, I've woken up to pages and pages of some truly horrible stuff in our YouTube comments section. Each week, processing the comments section is taking more and more time.
Some of it has been politically directed at EVs and greener transportation in general. Some of it has been dedicated to spreading misinformation about electric vehicles, and trying to discredit what we - and other channels - do in the sector.
Some have just been of a contrarian, argumentative nature that most people learn is not acceptable in primary school. We have watched as entire comment threads have exploded as people end up trading threats and insults. And then we've had to deal with threats from people fed up that we are not dealing with things in an effective as a matter as possible. We've actually lost supporters because we've not handled comments 'quickly' enough.
But then there's been the really horrible comments. Ones that betray darker intent.
Some because we cover EVs. Some because we call for democratic and fair elections and try to be as clear and succinct as possible in our discussion of politics. Some of it has been directed to us because of our channel's team - the fact that everyone at Transport Evolved (by coincidence, not design) fits in somewhere under the LBTQIA + flag. Many of them because I and Kate are open trans people.
You do not see much of the comments, because they are flagged and held for moderation before you see them. Sometimes, they slip through. And sometimes they are shielded in double-speak language (like using the number eight twice to signify a neo-nazi salutation), or as someone has more recently attempted, "41 percent", which is a taunt used to target trans and non-binary individuals relating to claimed rates of people considering unaliving themselves.
On multiple occasions, someone has called my phone and said nothing. Sometimes, we get messages through our personal email, and on at least one occasion, someone using what appears to be an anonymous email service from overseas sent a threat with my home address in it.
And sadly, every time Elon Musk mentions anti-trans sentiments or makes a political movement toward the right, the hate grows, and the threats grow.
Some will say that I need to grow a thicker skin. Some will say I'm exaggerating, but I am not.
What I can say is that the comments, the hate, the vitriol, has really begun to hurt my mental health. I have spent hours and hours crying at weekends. My wife would frankly be happy if I folded the channel today. But despite the hate, I love the community in the EV world, the kindness, the support, the desire to make the world better for everyone - not just those who can afford to buy the latest and most expensive EVs.
I believe TE needs to exist. I believe that we need people talking about more than just one or two brands, and talking about the subjects that matter to enabling a wider transition to a cleaner, greener, safer, smarter and more equitable future. I also love and respect my team, and I want them to be able to continue to have a job, to have healthcare, and to help make the world a better place. I believe our editorial quality is excellent. And I think we have a part to still play.
But for now, as we approach the U.S. election, and who some of our team are and who they love is becoming increasingly attacked by extremes, I cannot ask them to continue to deal with the comments thread. And my mental health cannot continue to deal with them, either.
While free speech is important, and it's important to allow people to exchange their ideas, it's not okay to conflate free speech with harassment and hate.
Because YouTube can't deal with the amount of spam and hate that's flooding the platform, I've taken the tough decision to turn off comments for a while. If you wish to discuss a video, you're more than welcome to join the team and other viewers in our Discord chat room - https://discord.gg/s3GqXHgRmX - where civil, respectful discussion is welcomed. It's free to join, and there's a good team of volunteer moderators who keep spam away and content safe.
Finally, we're always welcoming of new Patreon supporters. Turning off comments to protect us comes at the expense of ad revenue, so any support people can give will be gratefully received. It costs approximately $12,000 a month to keep this channel running - just to pay salaries, insurance, bills, medical aid, and keep equipment running.
You can join our Patreon supporters at https://www.patreon.com/transportevolved.
I anticipate we will loose supporters over this. I can hear some folks unsubscribing now. But the choice is this - or we don't continue to exist ... I'd love to say that would be just as a channel, but given where some of our team have been of late due to the hate, it could be far worse.
If we can't keep ourselves safe, we can't continue to make content. So I choose safety.
Nikki.
Check out the Transport Evolved community on Discord - hang out with 1220 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.
