Buzz
It's the New Year, and you're on a quest to become smarter. But with everything happening in the world, it can be tempting to stay cozy in bed. Luckily, many brilliant minds are sharing knowledge on YouTube, offering you a chance to get smarter without leaving your comfort zone. You can watch and feel just a bit more intelligent, all while staying snug in bed.
10. OverSimplified
History can be complex and overwhelming, and anyone who's studied it will tell you that. Writing about history means making choices about what to leave out in order to tell a coherent story. However, unlike most history books that gloss over these simplifications, OverSimplified is upfront about it. The YouTuber embraces the challenge of simplifying history to make it more digestible.
In his videos on various historical events, OverSimplified attempts to break down complicated subjects into simpler, more approachable terms. For example, his take on the U.S. alcohol prohibition is both enlightening and entertaining, filled with intriguing stories. Did you know about Carrie Nation, an elderly woman who went around smashing saloons with a hatchet?
In addition to covering major global events, OverSimplified also dives into obscure topics – like the time Australia declared war on emus... and lost.
9. Legal Eagle
Law might seem like a daunting subject to explore. With its Latin terms, convoluted procedures, and historical context, it can be a confusing world. Legal Eagle works to make this complex subject more understandable.
Although the channel primarily focuses on U.S. law, Legal Eagle’s videos provide a solid foundation for understanding how any legal system functions. Recently, he's posted several insightful videos on election law, shedding light on the intricacies of the 2020 election for both Americans and bewildered international viewers.
Some of the most interesting content comes from his True Crime series, where he examines unusual cases. Whether it's the police accidentally blowing up a house (and who should be responsible for the costs) or the infamous Leopold and Loeb murder trial, Legal Eagle tracks how the legal system handled each case.
8. Crash Course
Not everyone can know everything. If you’ve ever drifted off during class, there’s a good chance you missed out on some key information. Luckily, there’s always a video for any class you may have missed, and most of these can be found on the Crash Course channel.
If you want to refresh your biology knowledge, from DNA to evolution, Crash Course has you covered. For history enthusiasts, they offer everything from pre-history to the impact of modern media on our brains. And yes, even the media itself gets explored by Crash Course.
Feeling a bit down, stressed, or anxious after 2020? Crash Course’s Psychology series could be just what you need to start understanding and managing these emotions.
7. Journey to the Microcosmos
Some topics are just too vast for the human mind to fully grasp. Even when you zoom in on smaller things, the complexity remains. Journey to the Microcosmos delves into the minuscule world, studying things that are incredibly tiny.
It’s surprising to realize that every drop of pond water is teeming with life. Countless single-celled organisms are moving around, engaged in life-or-death struggles that most of us are completely unaware of. To uncover this unseen world, Journey to the Microcosmos uses high-powered microscopes to capture the action.
Not only does the show uncover fascinating microscopic wonders, but the presenter’s soothing voice is also one of the calmest you’ll find on YouTube.
6. Tier Zoo
If you prefer animals that are more visible to the naked eye, Tier Zoo is the channel for you. This channel looks at strange and intriguing creatures in a way that will resonate with gamers. By treating nature as a game, the channel explores the abilities that evolution has honed over time.
Are tardigrades playing the game of life on God Mode? Should dinosaurs be brought back into existence? And have sloths had their power levels reduced? Tier Zoo will let you make those decisions. It will also guide newcomers in choosing which starter animal they should select – a cat or a dog?
5. Vsauce
Vsauce is one of the most popular science YouTubers, and for good reason. While many websites promise to show attractive people (or so I'm told), only Vsauce reveals the most intriguing things in the universe. Most of which, you'll definitely want to avoid getting close to.
Beyond physics, Vsauce has videos exploring why certain things creep us out (like Sonic the Hedgehog with teeth) and why swearing is considered taboo (but don’t risk saying them if you don’t want to get banned).
Some of the most fun and thought-provoking videos on the channel explore interesting hypotheticals, such as what would happen if the Earth suddenly stopped spinning. Aside from the obvious logistical nightmare, what would happen if everyone jumped at the same time?
4. Ted Ed
TED Talks have garnered a reputation that’s somewhat divided. On one hand, there are people who find the polished presentations both enlightening and an excellent way to share research and ideas with a broader audience. On the other hand, some argue that TED oversimplifies complex topics and commercializes knowledge. Both sides may have valid points. However, TED Ed stands out by creating concise videos that introduce captivating subjects you might want to dive deeper into on your own.
In addition to retelling iconic myths from cultures around the globe with incredible animations, TED Ed covers diverse topics, from the opioid crisis to common logical fallacies. We could all use a refresher on recognizing the tactics other YouTubers use to convince us of things that may not be true. Otherwise, we might find ourselves walking into the flat Earth trap.
3. Tom Scott
Ever wanted to see a nerd pass out in a massive centrifuge? Of course you do, and Tom Scott is the YouTuber who is willing to put his body to the test in the name of science. While it’s entertaining to watch someone’s expression change as their blood is forced from their brain to their buttocks, there’s a valuable lesson too. Just what exactly is G-force? And it turns out that ‘jerk’ isn’t just something people say in online comments.
In addition to exploring fascinating topics like batteries that continue to function after 176 years and the dangers of brain-eating amoebas entering through your nose, Scott also tackles social issues. Why do Americans find it odd when British people greet others with 'You alright?' And what’s the proper way to pronounce 'GIF'?
The deeper you go into these videos, the more surprising topics you uncover, things you never even realized you didn’t know. This is what makes for an outstanding YouTube channel.
2. Sabine Hossenfelder
While some channels are criticized for simplifying complex concepts, Sabine Hossenfelder doesn’t face that accusation. Hossenfelder isn’t just a YouTuber – she’s a physics researcher specializing in quantum gravity, a field that even other theoretical physicists find intimidating. She really knows her subject.
Fortunately for those daunted by quantum gravity, Hossenfelder explores a broad spectrum of topics in physics and sometimes even beyond. You can learn about the latest ideas regarding whether there’s a smallest possible size in the universe, how we might travel faster than light, and whether we truly have free will. Don’t worry, even if free will turns out to be an illusion, these videos are still worth watching.
Although complex equations frequently appear on the screen, Hossenfelder ensures you’re never lost by carefully guiding you through them.
1. CGP Grey
There are plenty of YouTubers with incredible animation skills, but those aren’t always necessary for making great videos. CGP Grey may not create the flashiest visuals, but his videos are consistently engaging and educational. Where else could you learn how to become Pope in just five minutes?
On his channel, you’ll find a wide range of topics, such as the difference between the UK and Britain, why you essentially have two people in your brain, and why trying to domesticate zebras is a bad idea.
He’s even made videos explaining Brexit, a topic that even many British people might need help understanding…
