tl;dw: since 2022, YouTube content creator jacksfilms has been in an ongoing feud with popular react channel SSSniperWolf. he accuses her of freebooting (ripping videos and reposting them without credit) and has made a second channel reacting to SSSniperWolf’s videos and parodying them, both to draw attention to the issue and credit the original creators. SSSniperWolf, in response, has accused jacksfilms of freebooting off of her and sexism. on October 13, 2023, she showed up at his house and posted it on Instagram with the caption “let’s talk like adults”, doxxing his address to her Instagram followers. jacksfilms posted a statement on his main channel saying that he and his wife are alright, but fearful for their safety.
I watch very little YT content. I before Friday, I had never heard about either of these people. I have never seen a react video either.
So, I watched this video. And a couple by jacksfilms. Maybe it is because I am nearing 40, but I don’t see the draw of watching a reaction video? Anyway. It is a little amazing that an internet feud has an entry on Wikipedia (here) and after watching the War on stolen content video I am surprised that the concept took off.
to be honest i’m not entirely sure what the draw is either. many reaction videos are based around a theme, like “school tiktoks i watch instead of doing homework”, so maybe it’s an easy way to find more-or-less quality content about a particular subject without having to actually look for it. or maybe people just watch for the funny faces, given that SSSniperWolf’s audience tends to be very young.
i do like “[expert] reacts to…” videos where an expert does a thorough analysis of some media featuring their field of expertise, like “Traçeur reacts to Mirror’s Edge” or “Martial artist reacts to Avatar: The Last Airbender” or “Chemist reacts to Breaking Bad”, but that is an entirely different thing than freebooting because it’s thoughtful commentary that’s transformative and adds to the video
I like watching certain reaction vids. I like watching Doctors watching the Scrubs shows because of their expertise. I like watching rap enthusiasts review a new album or single because they catch bars I’ll typically miss. I like watching Chess people review chess memes or videos.
In terms of a random person with no specialty in the area though? That doesn’t appeal to me.