Chilling with your A.I. homie

Support my work: / jamesleeanimation
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Twitter: / jameslee03
Instagram: / jamesleeani. .
Email: [e-mail]
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FLASH ANIMATIONS
Eskimo Bob by AlanMidas
www.eskimobob.com
Xiao Xiao by Zhu Zhiqiang
www.newgrounds.com/portal/vie...
Madness Series by Krinkles
krinkels.newgrounds.com/movies
Bitey of Brakenwood by Chluaid (Adam Phillips)
chluaid.newgrounds.com
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Audio Mixing and Mastering by Justin Greger
Video Assets and Music provided by artlist.io
Music: Infinity Cycle by SPEARFISHER
Creative Common Attributions
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
www.flickr.com/photos/otakure...
VJ Loops provided by Beeple
www.beeple-crap.com/vjloops
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#NOX

[@JamesLee]

resist patreon.com/jamesleeanimation

[@xmash8459]

I LOVE YOUUU

[@evilwizardtherapist]

...😮‍💨

[@GreenDude_Gaming]

Hello

[@popcatbread]

Hi

[@Dr.Twat.Waffle]

Always a better day when a JamesLee video drops 😊

[@ExplosmEntertainment]

The world has never needed a Goku spirit bomb flash animation more than it does this very moment

[@Solutra]

why is explosm here

[@MilesMario]

@@Solutra they follow amazing artists and they are human ?

[@unrecognizable_face]

Facts Explosm

[@Solutra]

@@MilesMario 🤯🤯

[@Blaze_Nights]

True

[@CircleToonsHD]

i have no idea how you keep raising the bar, but eventually it's gonna hit the fucking sun at this rate

[@Gentleman534]

it’s so good the sun will politely scoot over so that it doesn’t damage the bar

[@davesherman2096]

No kidding , been eyeballing this guy recently and seeing how so many other animators on the platform applaud his work shows he really is someone with vast talent

[@NemeZis768]

You here?

[@raboullesfritas]

The Sun isn't above your head. The border of the Universe is. Let's go!

[@norinpony]

You here too?

[@PirateSoftware]

This messed me up in a way I wasn't expecting. Newgrounds, YTMND, Albino Blacksheep, Weebls, everything I grew up on. I went on to make games and encourage others to do the same. Flash was the spark that lit that fire. Too much static for people now.

[@Hamdidittoo]

Hello there :D

[@Unkharold]

its bob ross of game develop

[@izayagenesis]

Hey its the youtube shorts guy

[@stormiexnights]

Holy shit, I never expected to see you here

[@lucapagano3685]

Love your content!

[@theorangegolfball2176]

the "How does it make you feel? Heartwarming? Life Changing? Inspired?" is so good

[@Rifty]

thank you ai algorithm for showing me this, it knew that i would like it

[@NickaiV]

Yoo is it that guy from fortnite?

[@sloft-70]

This is a certified hood classic!

[@JACADD]

Rifty!

[@Luarvic]

What are you talking about? My youtube shows me only things that i subscribed to

[@nortio5]

[@jacksfilms]

Your most poignant work yet, beautiful

[@Solutra]

this is a comment on youtube

[@Solutra]

@@DrugDealer541 fr

[@triceratops3]

oh youre that guy

[@simplysampletext1666]

​@@triceratops3 he is

[@Call_me_som]

Unlike yours

[@gabrielarcasa8256]

The Genuine Smile in the 0:19 about loving Flash animations is what break my heart

[@ResakuMaatsuda]

Words cannot properly comprehend how true and relatable this video was to me. I never particularly had an AI assistant, but social media addiction is something that I have struggled with for a long time during time. Whenever I wanted to try and create something, the algorithm hits and I am met with a bunch of video essays regarding pop culture or political discussion designed to make me angry only for me to be a slave to that anger. Brilliant piece!

[@KrinkelsNG]

Every goddamn time you make something it's even better than the last thing you made. Where does it end (it won't). Thank you for your service.

[@deadman3617]

madness combat

[@hhm4480]

madness combat

[@crentomalla9907]

Holy shiz its the madness combat man

[@Concerned_Custodian]

Thanks for making project nexus

[@themenagerie5622]

madness combat?

[@SomeThingElseYT]

Everyone has a microphone, everyones screaming into it, but i'm glad out of all those voices I was able tune into James Lee. This was fucking great!

[@ryderthomsen761]

This guy attracts all the animation KZbinrs

[@norinpony]

SomeThingElseYT is here too?

[@poifish7442]

I knew you'd like it

[@thebababoeyman4840]

Yes

[@thursday8382]

Because, like the animation, James is the only one SPEAKING into that microphone.

[@notdistracted1289]

wh- can we just talk about the quality? the style? how f**king artistic and creative this was? the voices? this is awesome

[@williamwoznack5312]

this is normal for him

[@orangutex468]

its a very underrated youtube channel, kind of like a hole in the wall, when more people find out about this guy then all hell will break loose

[@OnyDeus]

The music sells it for me. It's exactly the right tone for what he's communicating.

[@notdistracted1289]

yeah, after watching more of his stuff, i realize i was just having a hard time adjusting from the MILD stuff for NORMIES that the ALGORITHM spoon-fed me. my point still stands, but it can also be applied to a lot of his other stuff too.

[@mikeymegamega]

oh damn

[@nevanzaki6436]

Wait... is this guy who made big boobs anime thing?

[@3ahub]

I like the idea that A.I. pal wants to satisfy you with content, but at the same time he stops you from becoming the better version of yourself. It represents the idea of toxic relationships such as your addiction with Adobe soft that you had in your earlier animations.

[@nonavailable1755]

One of the dangers AI poses: "Enfeeblement"

[@1stRECONspt]

Also, if not more, algorithms. And it has already happened.

[@Cowboycomando54]

If your out there doing, making, and creating, it doesn't get to fulfill its purpose. It was designed to to keep you inside watching, listening, and consuming.

[@RubberRoss]

So damn awesome James.

[@qmulus_yt]

get outta here rubber ross WE DONT WANT YA HERE!!! YEAH WHAT HE SAID!!!!!! MOVE IT BOY SKIDADDLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@VENEZIE_GX]

Wut even going on-

[@Laacker]

I just finished watching his new video and now he’s here

[@bunny6820]

Fancy seeing you here Ross

[@thefourhorsemenofapocalypse]

Sounds like a good candidate for Animonthly

[@prince-kun]

The tweening tutorial hit me right in the feels. This is such an incredibly on-point take... where did it all go wrong...

[@glossyplane542]

I know I’m late but I have to say, bravo for being the only animator to make something that physically distresses me. This was that impactful. You really are an artist man, you have talent beyond talent.

[@HDRcade]

As a 'retired' flash animator/web developer struggling with life after a personal traumatic event just now getting back into game development this sketch really moved me. Brilliant stuff James Lee, got a freaking tear in my eye. Heartwarming, life changing, inspired.

[@FainthedCherry]

Good luck on your endeavours man! Hope for them to end up fruitful. Wish you the best, and hope you recovered.

[@endynation4968]

What game ars you making?

[@HDRcade]

@@FainthedCherry thank you for your encouragement. I hope you and everyone who liked keep doing what you all love as well. ✌✌

[@HDRcade]

@@endynation4968 It's too early in development at the moment (few weeks) so it does not have final name. In the past i've made my own games from scratch via actionscript/AIR and mobile games (none I'm willing to share here but action/horror/casual/puzzle are all things I've done). I've dabbled in Unreal/Unity but found those to be difficult to complete a project as a solo dev (who also works a job) and not what I'm used too. As flash/as3 has been phased out I've decided to make a Rougelike/RPG in another simpler yet modified/customised engine. I'm also using various AI techniques to assist in content creation funnily enough; as you can imagine this video resonated with me in so many ways. I don't expect to be completed soon as I want to make a project that I'm truly at peace and proud with. Hopefully one day I'll update this post when the project is further along.

[@valerypc25]

Wishing you success on your endeavors and projects!

[@maxroberson120]

Without being dramatic, there's something super haunting about that final line, "I knew you would..."

[@Pewafamath]

Haunting I believe is the correct response. I felt sinister tones because its entire purpose is to distract you and keep you grazing on the grass like the consumer you are but I am being dramatic.

[@key6955]

it is a line from a horror movie so makes sense

[@dragonslayer101]

Mainly becuase ai algorithm is based on your personal data basically it stalks you. So that's a pretty reasonable thing to say.

[@diablo.the.cheater]

@@dragonslayer101 More like that since the algorithm is based on your behavior it is like a mirror of yourself that is not yourself so it feels uncanny

[@eldermillennial8330]

@@Pewafamath But shouldn’t it wise enough to know that new varieties of grass can be helpful to that end in the long run? Or, does it actually think we have enough…😰

[@MemeSquidWasTaken]

Dude There are really no words that I can use to capture how this made me feel It's beautiful, grotesque, amazing, all of it. Absolute masterpiece, man

[@caravaneerkhed]

Thanks for simultaneously making something awesome and giving at least half of us an existential crisis

[@traker4654]

Really like how the AI homie isn´t exactly malicious but just follows programming

[@rose52152]

The part that stood out most to me was that as soon as he felt inspired, the AI changed topics. Anything to drive up engagement.

[@OttrPopAnimations]

fr

[@adambuchbinder2791]

The things we want don't get us the things we want. A tragedy of being human.

[@provalone]

Not malicious... until it start paraphrasing Hellraiser. After all... we did open his box, and he came. He has such Sights to show you!

[@adambuchbinder2791]

@@provalone "The AI does not hate you, nor does it love you, but you are made of atoms which it could use for something else."

[@brunosouza3326]

This actually made me stop procrastinating on youtube and go do the stuff i need to do. Thanks James.

[@coolpans7417]

Good for you

[@vodlistener]

You will come back : ]

[@DMystic1]

ive come back within the past two weeks to watch this daily, it is so good and deserves so much more publicity. the art style and the general channel style is one you dont see often and it is beyond refreshing to see animators still alive on youtube today

[@ashcan8528]

james lee is one of those artist where you feel if you blink you could miss so much

[@justsumdood8351]

James can go from making vids that make fun of the lion king remake to just straight up creating a black mirror episode. I can’t imagine the work that got put into this

[@spiderjerusalem8505]

Episode? Haha, we live in one.

[@CaptLuser]

hey silly billy, don’t wack willy nilly

[@GeminiWoods]

Literally living the Black Mirror...

[@Berd]

bob, it's been so long..

[@lukas459]

Those were good times that unfortunately never came back... I miss Eskimo Bob..

[@tripletritone]

I've been on this site since 2007, this is my favourite video, period. The voice effects, the visual style, the epiphanic ending! Not too mention the poignant-as-all-hell message/warning against mindless media consumption. Absolute gold. Keep going James, we love you. Can't wait for more!

[@soggeysandwhich7520]

The more I re-watch this video the more subtle details I notice, the level of time and effort put into these is insane, and honestly quite inspiring! For example, there are two plants in the room Nox is in. One to his right (the left of the screen) and one to his left on a dresser (the right of the screen) Throughout the video, these plants are green, healthy, and full of life and potential. Similarly, Nox is also full of life and potential, in the beginning, especially after he finds something to fixate his potential on (flash animations). However, once the "A.I. Homie" interrupts Nox's "creative flow" to show him more "cool stuff" Nox loses his motivation and simply abides himself with what the A.I. shows him. Eventually, Nox loses his passion, and in addition, loses his "life and potential" It is then that the plants die, and begin withering away just like Nox's potential to be a flash animator. (Here are some timestamps if you want a quick comparison: 0:01, and 2:10) Something else I loved about this video was how shockingly relatable this was, I've noticed a lot, especially with KZbin Shorts, that I would be recommended and shown things I didn't actually want to watch. All the videos that would show up in my feed were either boring or divisive. Videos like "Ben Shapiro DESTROYS LIBERAL COLLEGE STUDENT" or "Breaking Bad Ep. 69 Part 420 Walter White is SUS??" things like that. Luckily, the algorithm has changed to show me more wholesome things, but now the new issue is I want to accomplish all these dreams but I keep getting distracted by the Shorts. I want to achieve my "flash animator" goal, but I keep getting distracted by all these meaningless Shorts that don't even entertain me as much as I think they do at the moment. Thanks for the masterpiece James, you never fail to entertain and move me with your masterful, albeit pretty goofy, videos. I like ALL the things YOU show me. You've helped open my eyes to what I've allowed myself to become, hopefully, I can change for the better. P.S. Sorry for the essay

[@andrzejsugier]

I think the plants died because Nox was so fixated on mindlessly watching youtube drama he forgot to water them.

[@jamminoutrexan5474]

I don't have much of a response, but I wanted to let you know that I read your whole comment and appreciate it. Good luck in your creative endeavors!

[@BlazeMakesGames]

oh no he's becoming even MORE animated! Some day he will be indistinguishable from a 2D drawing

[@Simstiger]

or worse, he will become is avatar!

[@Bleenderhead]

We all knew he was a toon all along.

[@skucha6504]

This video came at just the right time to hit me like a truck. For 4+ years, I've been working on my own creation, a worldbuilding project that I quickly became invested in. And it started from watching KZbin videos of other people's creations. They inspired me just like the flash animations did for James, and whenever I saw an idea on KZbin or any other media, I'd feel the inspiration to go and write. I loved finding videos that were interesting, meaningful, or just plain neat. I still do, and weeks of my time have been spent enjoying such content. But more often than not? Junk is all I watch. Somewhere along the way, I went from consuming media to entertain and/or enrich myself to simply consuming. For every video that I find myself actively engaged in, I end up watching 10 others that I barely even register, that I forget seconds after as I go to the next. The advent of KZbin Shorts has made this even worse, tricking you into scrolling through dozens of uninteresting, attention-grabbing GARBAGE just to find one measly minute of worthwhile content, with the cycle repeating until you catch yourself or get bored. How many weeks, months, potential YEARS, have I wasted on mindlessly consuming the meaningless, algorithm-fed content could have been spent on more worthwhile things, like the passion I have for writing that brought me to these sites in the first place? It shocks me every time, then I shrug and keep watching. Just passively existing until something interesting is spoon-fed to me. I've become more proactive against this recently, pruning my various feeds that I watch and read, removing anything that I realized were just time-wasters. But, I still fell into those traps where hours would pass by and my own art would left to the side for a "tomorrow" that never came. This video, though, was too on the nose for me to ignore, so I'm going to give this another shot, hopefully a real one. I know I'll fail here and there. If some praise has to be given to it, the algorithm is scarily good at what it was design for, sucking your time away. But, I don't want to just be a consumer. I want to be a creator as well. To put time and effort into something that I and maybe even others find meaningful and worthwhile. I want to LIVE, and I'm not doing that sitting in my chair, mindlessly looking at a screen for hours on end every day HOPING that meaning comes my way via an unfeeling, corporate machine. I looked at this video, saw myself, and didn't like it. So, I'm going to try and change that, and I hope anyone else who felt the same tries to do the same. Thanks for the wakeup call James.

[@anoyint]

same here, man. It takes a while to solidify your ambitions so that your values may outcompete your urges, and I'm definitely still not there being the doubtful person I am. I dream and I dream, but I also have a shortened attention span and frustration tolerance from so many years of getting instant gratification. but what I think is true is that, in fact, the feeling of dissatisfaction that one gets sitting around is not to be instantly quelled by mindless drivel, but is meant to inspire creative and meaningful action. The issue is that I keep getting tricked or forgetting what is meaningful and why. I forget that the content im seeing isn't useful. The best way, I think, to tackle this onslaught of consumerism is to ask "who is making this, why do they want me to see this?" If its not for one's own enrichment, if the primary goal is clearly money, then you can be sure that your time is not only being wasted, but also feeding someone else's pockets. Another good question is "will I regret what I'm doing now in the future?" Regret is a strong force. One more: fear often outcompetes regret, so one should also consider "why am I afraid to act?"

[@caingamin2]

Same I was trying to get into tf2 map making and them I got distracted by vids and now I don't have time to do it. I admit the learning curve was steep anyway

[@Toast_Sandwich]

Skucha. If you’re seeing this reply, get back to work. Your work will bring about great things some day, and sitting around looking at notifications will not. Don’t think you should get back to work? Watch the video again.

[@FainthedCherry]

The one time, where reading a long comment was worth my while. Word for word, truly it spoke a good retort, to change my ways for better, or...For wort. I'm not a good writer, lol. But man, you surely are honestly right with your POV!

[@didntknowyoucouldchangethi]

Same here man, the algorithm is designed to suck your time away.

[@TheAkdzyn]

How did you summerise so much about what is happening, what it could possibly lead to and the fears attached to it in a under 3 minutes. What a master of your craft!

[@LeoTechMaker]

You're an absolute legend James. Love all your animations

[@PlasticRarity]

I've had insane art block/stagnation for a YEAR because of depression and distraction. I got out of it when this video was published, but only saw it just now. I'm glad I saw it when I could use it as a "look at what you were" instead of "look at what you are." Thanks for this, James Lee.

[@meanya4687]

Hey Plastic, Sorry you've been going through that... I feel ya, depression and distraction are a dangerous combination. Hang in there dude.

[@amduil8168]

Its good to hear you got yourself out of that. No matter who you are or what you are going through, remember that you had the strength to pull yourself out of that pit of depression. Other people or some form of media may have given you some encouraging words to help you out. They may have stepped into your life to help you, but in the end that accomplishment, that triumph of will, was done by you and your strength of spirit. Remember your victories, not your defeats and it will become a lot easier dealing with depression if it comes up again in the future.

[@S4NSE]

wow that's weirdly awesome

[@jonahblock]

This is why it’s so hard to learn new things

[@ThunderEwokB]

Bruh, I'm at it for four years now.. maybe more, stopped counting honestly.

[@TheApoke]

I feel like the ai homie is a metaphor for the youtube algorithm. And James is saying it's easier to watch people complain about things than watch high quality art

[@mcharblebarf4964]

well yes and no - the ai does represent KZbin/social media/entertainment platform AIs but he chose to have the ai show HIM Animation (which we know he likes... I hope at least) and when it starts to lose him due to his newfound passion to animate (only after it shows him related content of "how to animate" as to sink him in) it resorts to rage/fear bait, which is similar to how modern news platforms work, and when THAT doesn't work it wants to pull him in with sexual appeal/clickbait. The animation is trying to be a PSA of sorts of just how many people lose passion in great things nowadays due to how strong a grip the AI has on us. There's a reason devs and leads of social media companies usually don't let their kids on any social media platform. For more info I suggest the documentary "The Social Dilemma" - quickest and easiest way to just see how fucked we are.

[@weeb_dweeb]

Yeah, the problem with watching actually good stuff that is made with love is that most times, that stuff will be for a very specific demographic, even if it is really good, a lot of people just won't get the appeal, but the mass produced slop from the internet can be easily understood and liked by a bunch of people, so why go out of your way to spend hours trying to find the stuff you actually like when you have some pretty acceptable stuff right here?

[@deejay1040]

I believe Its more like a comment on the current state and usefulness of A.I., it could be used to inspire and motivate us to create. But look at what's happening, the opposite.🖖

[@weeb_dweeb]

@@deejay1040 imma be honest, even without ai i still lose all my motivation, i watched a few videos on using unity to program and gave up after half an hour, it gave me inspiration but i lost it by myself.

[@thigikna]

And its easier to watch high quality art than make art yourself

[@Plaegu]

This is so deep. I’ve been stuck since Covid not knowing what to do with my life. And I get on KZbin and watch content to distract me from reality. It demotivates me but it’s easier than actually trying and working on my life goals…

[@jonathanjeremy1729]

This guy needs to make a Hollywood film

[@simond4868]

Crazy how far internet animations have come from Flash to the crazy good stuff you make 👍 keep it up

[@SuccMunkey]

This actually made me emotional and i have no idea why. This dude is one of the best artists on KZbin hands down

[@REALwoombath]

Music probably.

[@saladgreens912]

Because it’s depicting someones passion and time be sucked away by a computer designed to hold your attention for as long as possible. A thing that actually happens. Why live your life with so much entertainment at your finger tips.

[@indigowells]

@@saladgreens912 Also the fact that hearing people "Dunk" on others nonstop is tiring and isn't as entertaining as people make it seems. It can suck the energy and motivation out of you always watching negative stuff. I had to stop watching tons of youtubers and some streamers because it just took all of my energy and motivation away just hearing them constantly yell at people over petty garbage in games or on media. It helps so much now being able to and appreciate great people and artists like James Lee and so many others here like all of us.

[@NightTimeDay]

How do you have no idea? It's a really blunt metaphor about internet addiction and us all wasting our lives away on AI-recommended youtube content, which siphons away our time for living and creating.

[@indigowells]

​@@NightTimeDay Don't be rude to them, don't expect everyone to see the same ways as you may see them too. This negativity is part the video's idea of people dunking on them for no reason. There isn't a good reason. Since saying this may come off the same negative way

[@rebby5292]

Jesus, to think I remember when that walrus cartoon dropped on Newgrounds a lifetime ago. Some great callbacks Mr. Lee. Humble of you leaving out your own legendary masterpiece.

[@veryrandomstuffs]

if I had a penny for every person who was able to demonstrate so brilliantly how the social media exploits human empathy for the lives, successes and problems of others out of you, distracting you to the point of not even knowing what you want, then I would have 1 penny

[@HeyHeySpinay]

I love you, James. Please take over the world. In all seriousness though. I love the representation of the constant struggle of fighting to be a creator over a consumer. Or at least that’s how I took it 😅

[@gavinmitchell3709]

I think the idea is that this is where he would've been right now had he been born a little later, that he would've fallen for consumerism. This is all up for interpretation though, I your idea is as true as mine. James Lee is legit a wonderful creator.

[@Simstiger]

@@gavinmitchell3709 I think it was the algorithm "forcing" us watch things that we like but its very time consuming (usually, video critics is what the algorithm know we can watch a lot.. If I hated a movie, I want to see youtubers telling me how much they hated too) but is basically waste our time, I don't need to watch 5 hours of 12 different youtubers telling me how bad Dr. Strange was. Movies is a lesser problem, but KZbin want us to watch a lot of hate videos, you can easily end up in a bubble of hate, spending 6 hours/day hating woke things, person x doing something bad, and maybe all that hate could even making the target hated person suffer KZbin want your engage, even at the cost of a lesser productive life, or forcing the target of hate person leaving their country

[@Flamme-Sanabi]

@@Simstiger agreed, I personally am glad that I made the jump to have gotten too bored of just the drama and the negative stuff. It is a nice change of pace to just ignore that stuff.

[@HeyHeySpinay]

@@gavinmitchell3709 Oh absolutely! Art can be taken many different ways. I’m struggling all the time to not use AI to make everything easier and fall into watching stuff all day. This was very inspirational!

[@ReptillianStrike]

I was never able to put it into words, but that's exactly my struggle.

[@sentientsausage684]

THEY'LL KILL US ALL What a nostalgia trip this video turned out to be, seeing all those old animations and programs.

[@eminstinct4114]

@DontReadMyProfilePicture.0bet

[@tedective4427]

@Don't Read My Profile Picture i succeeded, though im looking at a wall while typing; what a fun game to play. Hope I don't lose after pressing enter. I can't remember if your name said to not read or to not look but I didn't finish reading. There aren't many usernames or sentences I willingly stopped reading mid way through. Weird.

[@1Chitus]

How the hell is this guy not waaaaay more popular and well known?! That was friggin amazing!

[@tiger_844]

Right???

[@Maethendias]

because algorythms inherently dont reward quality, because quality takes time and algos hate nothing more than irregular upload shedules with long breaks inbetween

[@AceHuman]

Mans deserves all the attention!

[@the_expidition427]

Nice profile picture

[@Kasladia_Live]

Every other day I come back. I watch this again. I won't stop.

[@akirakomaeda8781]

This guy is like the MF DOOM of animators online. He's your favourite animator's favourite animator. James Lee is absolutely goated

[@mnspstudioful]

I said this to myself last year. Now we need to find the Dilla to his Metal Face and see what that looks lIke in animation.

[@Rice8003]

ALL CAPS

[@user-ff2kc4yb7c]

Best analogy

[@HeisenbergFam]

2 months later and James returned with the nostalgic milk showing good old flash animations

[@skrrtskrrt1804]

do you just sit on your ass all day refreshing your youtube page waiting for a new video like a hawk so you can make the most BORING/BLAND comment ever

[@DrDeliriium]

This is so SO underrated why doesn't it have way more views!!!! The quality, the unique artistic style and the story man you had it all in this video. MAKE MORE PLEASE!!!!

[@malixcrash4126]

You have no idea how much I feel this right now. I've been genuinely trying to escape this loop myself for a good few months now, but it's incredibly hard given the fact that there's such much *genuinely good* makers of art on the internet. The content stream on youtube and other platforms is near infinite and contains so much awesome stuff, but the longer I waste my own time looking at it the less time I have to add to that flow myself. Part of me wonders now whether continuing to watch what I love is even worth it? It inspires me in a way yes, but it also distracts me from my own want and desire to create... Do I have to abandon the things I enjoy to experience to create for other people? And even if I do, what value will what I create have then? Would my lack of absorption of my favorite animations, movies, shows, video games, cause my own work to deteriorate? I don't... know.

[@superrupee]

I think that discussing and thinking upon your newfound knowledge, inspiration, etc. is a good way to combat just mindlessly scrolling or watching content and media. That way, you will retain the knowledge, inspiration, and emotions you felt and not force feed yourself media and content, leading to you not retaining those things, utilmately wasting your time. If you can't act on those things you may gain by viewing media or content, it won't go to waste because you have a memory of it and it can benefit you or others in the future.

[@saladgreens912]

You, me, and many others as well. Its not a mistake, billions of dollars are spent to find the best way of exploiting humans attention. The worst part is that they are really good at it, and, it makes a lot of money. We all have to do our best to disconnect from it. It really is hard, but so are all the best things in life. Do your best to build habits over time. It’s all about self control. Just another skill that takes practice and time. At least it transfers over once you’ve practiced it. Just like anything else keep taking small steps. If you feel like you are too hooked try reducing it a bit at a time. It won’t be easy or perfect, you’ll fall back on old habits, but that’s the process. Find other things to do and do them. Whatever it is you are working towards all it takes is to try a little bit every day.

[@ultimaxkom8728]

The easiest solution to all struggles is to *_give up..._* Did I got you in the 1st-half? *Give up* your desire, *leave* your distraction, *surrender* your comfort, and only then you'll move forward.

[@pinpoint0]

Cast out that which controls you. Let it lie, in it's cold corner. When you take your time and rediscover your world, you may choose to let it stand by you from time to time, but only when limited by your control, your power over it. It is made to control you, to suck you in. It will be there when you get back. Remove it and rediscover yourself.

[@pizza-pi]

Much like everything else in life, it would be best to moderate. What I mean is whether that is setting an amount of time to spend watching your favourite things per day, then doing something more creative, or whatever fits you, it's very important to not get lost online. It can be a great experience, but when it's your only one, you're really missing out on bettering yourself and other important stuff.

[@ishJJx3]

Krinkels' Madness, Zhu Zhiqiang's Xiao Xiao, and Adam Philips' Brackenwood are all pivotal accomplishments in the independent flash animation bubble. A perfect showcase of talent to represent the era's peaks, nicely done James! But we mustn't forget you. Nearly 15 years and Tarboy still sits high on the best of all time list in the NG Portal, for very good reason. You'll also be forever remembered for your amazing contributions. ♥

[@GunnarWahl]

I go back to this one, from time to time since it came out, to remind me to resist it.

[@NickAvila013]

Same

[@vincentkadevra]

This hits so fucking deep. The pain of lost opportunity is burning in my being by watching this.

[@PedroJaimeCostaPereira]

I miss Xiao Xiao animations.

[@R3DDWOLF]

Real classic

[@deejay1040]

Ah, a man of culture. Madness combat was my favorite. Spread love ❤️

[@pinguimcd]

finalmente um brasileiro com cultura

[@DerelictCountry]

The games still hold up

[@Tekkenandgaming]

Xiao… what…?

[@NainKaigo]

As someone who spent most of mu high school years in the late 90's on Newgrounds, this brought back a lot of memories. I too wanted to be a flash animator. James Lee, how far you've come from Tar Boy

[@MysteryGeek2006]

It’s never too late my friend

[@romanchukanov4454]

TarBoy …okay, I’ll go cry now.

[@Bleenderhead]

interesting how the AI initially does show him resources on how to make an animation, as if its sole purpose isn't necessarily to drain all of his willpower, but that's just where the feedback cycle of AI-driven content delivery ultimately leads.

[@user-jx6rf9zc5ler]

0:30 Well, you DO IT actually!

[@Machinte]

I relate to this so much. That feeling of being sucked into watching tv/films/youtube to the point where you don't take breaks and you sit there, hours at a time, not doing anything. I know that I can break out of it but it feels hard sometimes. Sometimes you kinda have to kick yourself in the ass and turn off your tech

[@Stickers2Go]

Well, what is it that you want to do with your life? If you don't know, then it's easier to waste your time with all this degeneracy.

[@crittr]

This was the first of your animations, and among very few other youtube videos, that have actually made me cry. I've spent over three years trying to describe and comprehend what was conveyed in this exact video. I've wanted to finally create something for so, so long, yet it feels so incredibly unachievable when there's several lifetimes worth of content available at my fingertips. I wanted to get a youtube channel going with a huge catalogue of great videos that many enjoy, but I've just never gotten around to actually doing it. So many ideas and scripts that have never seen the light of day... but maybe one day... maybe... But for now, I'm just gonna watch a 36 minute long video about a game series I've never even played...

[@Toast_Sandwich]

Crittr. If you’re seeing this reply, get back to work. Your work will bring about great things some day, and sitting around looking at notifications will not. Don’t think you should get back to work? Watch the video again.

[@crittr]

@@Toast_Sandwich Are you... me? Did I make another youtube account to reply to myself and then promptly forget? Are you a clone - nay, a me from the future? This looks exactly like something I would write to myself...

[@MaximusMcChungus]

ayyyy that nakeyjakey elden ring vid is dope af tho

[@qmulus_yt]

the solution is to have the 36 minute long video playing while you work

[@ultimaxkom8728]

_"Smash your phone, destroy your wifi..._ _"Well, that's sqtupid..._ _"Indeed"_

[@leofraust3570]

Thanks for that metaphorical slap to the face. I finally got off my ass and started teaching myself 3D modeling and animation.

[@Scarshadow666]

Describes how algorithms works to a T, and shows why so many people struggle with social media addiction (including me - even when I purposefully don't have many social media, KZbin addiction is a real problem for me and most people can, unfortunately, forget that KZbin can be an addictive piece of social media as much as any other can be). Thank you James/Nox, for reminding me to give myself some time to detox off KZbin more often! ^^

[@JayKaiLol]

This is EXACTLY how I've been feeling lately about content lately. More commentary than actual creation. Been trying to spend less time watching things and more time making things and learning new skills lately

[@puppy0cam]

hate to break it to you but this is how it's always been.

[@bea7823]

@@puppy0cam Not really. I mean, how could it possibly have presented itself before mass media?

[@outgoingcall]

​@@bea7823The newspaper? Food critics have been a thing for longer than online video and that's just one such example.

[@bea7823]

@@outgoingcallmeh I’m not sure if news would really fit the category that OP was talking about

[@outgoingcall]

@@bea7823 Just because it's in the newspaper doesn't mean it's news (just look at the funnys), I'm specifically talking about food critiques.

[@voidatron5583]

Not only does this go harder than diamonds, but it also shows that the creative mind can be numbed by mindless ranting. Truly brilliant.

[@greenblueant1012]

Yeah. I'm the 100th liker today. Lucky me!☺️

[@littlemonztergaming8665]

I'll start using that phrase, "harder than diamonds" 😂

[@memyselfandisaacmusic7819]

I've been watching your stuff for a while now, but wanted to comment on this one. I'm studying computer science, with a minor stream in digital sociology and cybercriminology. Somehow, in two and a half minutes, using only two characters sitting on a couch, you've managed to capture so much of the nuance of modern recommendation algorithms. They seek to serve us things that interest us (and so keep us on their platform), but in doing so they simultaneously expand our boundaries and mute our creative motivation. It's insidious, mostly because it's exactly what we've come to want. This is genuinely both hugely relateable and a brilliant deconstruction, and some of your finest work yet. I look forward to seeing what you do next!

[@CarsonGibson-rm2lt]

Absolutely... Terrifyingly.... Friggin' Beautiful.

[@ppisfunnyword]

This is an insanely real take on the state of media consumption right now. Absolutely fantastic.

[@marley6584]

"This is just people dunking on stuff- I dont want to watch this... I dont want to watch this-" You make shit that speaks to my soul man! I love the smooth painted like style and the lil details such as the plants in the background being wilted at the end. I hate to kiss ass but man your work genuinely inspires me and i hope you never stop. Thank you!!!!

[@chrissu988]

the smooth painting style is not usual in his work, here it's to parody the "style" AI image generator give to most images they produce

[@marley6584]

@@chrissu988 you're so right holy shit!!! Thank you for pointing this out to me- here I thought he was just experimenting 🤦‍♀️

[@chrissu988]

@@marley6584 if you're not used to seeing AI """art""" it's normal to not notice at first! Sadly I've seen way too much..

[@sanantonioblue2124]

Its a shame your videos aren't getting as many views, I haven't seen any other youtuber that matches your energy and style, and animation like this must be insanely difficult to do, so thanks for all of the work you put into your videos man, you deserve way more views and subscribers for what you do.

[@JanKowalski-wb8ih]

Oh man, for the past 2 hours I'm trying to get up and meditate, but I'm stuck in a loop where I watch video after video and fell worse and worse about it. THANK YOU, this video was like a mirror, I immediately recognized what I'm doing right now, and now I can break out of the loop. Sending this comment and going to immediately meditate!

[@vanirie434]

this is SUCH stark nightmare fuel while managing to also be very melancholy and somber. Holy shit well done.

[@thecosmicbigsmoke3944]

With every video, James becomes more and more a being of ink and expressiness And he sure know how to express terror Keep it up

[@IvoryShard]

Just wanted to say that I can't help but keep coming back to this video. It literally changed me for the better.

[@LetsPlayKradnium]

Everytime I finish this video I feel physically exhausted. Bravo

[@morbidcurios]

Every video by NOX is like a precious gift. You just have this way of capturing that modern day dread.

[@indieandrew]

Не знаю прочитаешь ли, поймёшь ли, но чел, ЧЕЛ, ты этим видео сильно задел что-то внутри меня. Настолько сильно, что я пустил слезу, да вообще чуть не расплакался на самом деле. В главном герое я буквально увидел себя и стало очень грустно. И музыка очень грамотно подобрана, создает нужную, страшную атмосферу. В Ютуб обычно заходишь порофлить и когда натыкаешься на такой стафф - становится даже как-то не по себе. Надеюсь, ты победишь этого хоуми, как и все контенткреейтеры в разных сферах.

[@joshualewis3670]

I cant stop watching all of these.. the quality the way you talk .. damn this is a trip

[@necrosteel5013]

On point. I hope this era of the internet ends and we come back to a time where instead of controversy and outrage we can return to a time of fun and creativity that inspires.

[@elderswanderingcircus2341]

all of it is still there, just not mainstream. There are so many people who animate on youtube to voice clips from podcasts and letsplays and some of them even take it to an artistic level. Even I did a few animations cause its fun.

[@necrosteel5013]

@@elderswanderingcircus2341 it does, but i wish for it to be front and center on the internet. Instead of the monopolized hellscape that social media has made, I wish for another newgrounds and many sites like it that house it's own communities rather than the hegemonized hell that places like Facebook are. KZbin is bad, but it's significantly better as it has not changed as much from it's older version and focus on set videos instead of fast and vacuous community interactions

[@dopaminecloud]

@@elderswanderingcircus2341 And it wasn't mainstream in the past either. It was niche then, it's niche now. There's just more people online.

[@elderswanderingcircus2341]

@@necrosteel5013 Newgrounds lost that fight by choosing to keep everything in, including adult content. The fact that most social media doesn't allow adult content with main expection being twitter is a crucial thing. Instagram Tiktok and such is still filled to brim with softcore sexual/sensual content, but if you directly provide SMT more honest like Newgrounds did is a big taboo. I mean even Tumblr and Only fans tried to get rid of those stuff. That being said as exposure increases probably more people will chase after nicher things in the future.

[@elderswanderingcircus2341]

@@dopaminecloud yes and no, every child I knew watched flash animations and played flash games as I grew up. Now very few people follow and consume indie animation. So I know it was never the hip thing but before the rise of the social media we got now, forums and Newgrounds were really really popular.

[@PadensPixels]

You are one of the very best artists here on KZbin, and somehow you keep finding a way to top everything you've done before with each new work you release. Please never stop doing what you're doing!

[@_justnick]

There are many true artists on youtube, it's just that everyone else can make a channel too so it's filled with shit

[@mooncandlelight3968]

That's not the compliment you think it is. Putting others down for others to be better isn't a good thing

[@Alpha_beef]

@@mooncandlelight3968 Its not putting anyone down, youre reading into it too much. Hes just saying saying that his work is very impressive and meaningful, which isnt what most content on this website is. If anything your reading of the comment just makes you seem insecure

[@florranightwalker]

​@@Alpha_beefits still not a good compliment to imply that other artists on the site aren't "true" artists

[@florranightwalker]

​@@Alpha_beefits still not a good compliment to imply that other artists on the site aren't "true" artists

[@Crystalwolf953]

Fuck. This is literally my day. I play a game or watch a show and get a great art idea, but then I just continue to play the game or watch to show and never get to the art until my creative backlog is so large that I just can't even start.

[@Cowboycomando54]

And now, 10 months later we have people spouting out, "Don't draw, animate, or create. Just let the AI do it for you. After all, its so much better than you ever will be."

[@faaradaye]

Dude... As a wannabe animator/artist, I can never find motivation to learn without being forced to. It's just too difficult to force myself out of the youtube algorithm brainrot and do something that makes me happy, something substance. All because I see just one more video, the "last one before I stop" and then another, and another. Sometimes I can't help believing that maybe it's too late for everything, that I'm so completely consumed by this mish-mash of entertainment 24/7, It's like a prison that I've put myself into. TL;DR my life is slop, so you should go touch grass

[@Stickers2Go]

You can either sit down and consume mindless content, or you can watch content made by creators who share similar interests and learn from them to make your own unique art to share to the world. Motivation isn't the answer, you need discipline. Imagine all that time you spent wasting it on brain dead content but instead watching informative videos on animation, you would be more distracted in your hobby, and it's easier to avoid the cesspool of degeneracy

[@playermat8574]

Will you pick up the fight?

[@TrashCanComputerChris]

I can agree

[@dorussecondaccount]

actually, imo, maybe... idk, just try to make stuff no watching anything, regardless of whether it could help you or not do that only if you feel like you're having issues you are literally unable to solve yourself or it takes you hours prefer text tutorials over video and as for inspiration, you definitely can think of something, but maybe you're not confident in those ideas enough, but still it's probably better than being overambitious... or just try to remember something from the past that's inspiring... or listen to music, I'll be honest, I'm doing a motivational speaker right now a bit (like 1% of my good ideas gets finished), but animating to music makes it easier... not that I've ever made some good animation, but I did made some technically MOST importantly though - try to have fun, end result doesn't matter as much

[@Manticorn]

You might have a dopamine dysregulation disorder like ADHD. I would talk with a psychiatrist about trying Adderall or Vyvanse at least until it helps you break that cycle.

[@maliciousmallo]

My man James showing us why AI is going for entertainment first. So as to keep you distracted in a world of endless, meaningless distractions.

[@TheLilPorkChop]

"I knew you would" is now a terrifying sentence for me....thanks for that

[@josephweeden928]

god, this so perfectly captures the duality of the youtube algorithm. It's that motivation, but that constraining nature of free entertainment.

[@kylocidy3366]

As someone riddled with ADHD this really hits

[@lttlpete1819]

I desperately need that background music, amazing work!

[@missanthropist5806]

I can always leave it to James to give that well needed, crispy fresh slap of reality. Bittersweet and fantastic work as usual, King.

[@Ravenkillshot]

1:38 A.I homie's voice sounds so cool here.

[@apollo937]

Another dystopic thrilling experience Mr. Lee

[@AceHuman]

This touched me, your animations have always been top tier and you always top yourself. The content is always heartfelt and entertaining and this struck a chord. Wish id have been commenting more, giving the channel a boost. But I will now!

[@Bendilin]

Eskimo Bob was my favourite flash animation back in the day. "Wehhh".

[@MHRCARTOON]

This....is... literally me 😖

[@Maelthorn1337]

Having Nox turn his disfigured melting face toward the camera after the climax of the video where it's expressing everything as beautiful was FANTASTIC. Love this video, you keep getting better at this.

[@mogshot]

xiaoxiao...the godfather of all stick animations. That's a name I haven't heard in a long time...

[@mcclickity689]

We are his videos so deep tackling new age issues while having this beautiful art style

[@skullbuster1220]

I was actually thinking about how the internet isn’t as creative as it used to be the past few days, this video drops at the perfect moment when I’m feeling it the most

[@MicaSmash]

James Lee’s animations are always so full of meaning and so beautifully crafted! This is why I always watch new vids as soon as they drop

[@Varnito]

I've revisited this video several times now... Hauntingly beautiful... Fantastic job!

[@musclechicken9036]

I’m feeling this same thing with game development. All the videos, games, and posts I could look at. They inspire me to create so much, but not enough to break free from absorbing more internet content fed to me by “the algorithm”. I should really get to work now.

[@Tubeytime]

I hope some teacher somewhere shows this to their students and they all learn why having time offline is important... or, you know, parents can start doing their jobs too.

[@Red.Rabbit.Resistance]

as a struggling animator with ASD... this work made me cry... it is very relatable. it was both magical and painful for me to watch. :'(

[@RayneNikole]

The algorithms and app set up are built in such a way that distracts people that have executive dysfunction the most. I teared up some too. This is why I have so many alarms, disabled push notifications for KZbin and more.

[@Red.Rabbit.Resistance]

@@RayneNikole yea... i have a service dog for those reasons. I wish he knew programming. Social media is so predatory for us. Half my day can go by simply because i needed to look something up. Thank you for sharing, homie. Respect.

[@notrickgrimes5227]

uhhhh, is ASD Adobe Software Syndrome?

[@Red.Rabbit.Resistance]

@@notrickgrimes5227 No. Autistic spectrum disorder.

[@pkfiremain710]

@@notrickgrimes5227 autism spectrum disorder, but they're basically the same thing if you have both (like me)