That Time I Got In Trouble With The Government

The first part of "How To Be Popular On The Internet*" is all about an old saying: if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. And if you do succeed... well, you're still going to need to do that.
My site's still online: www.preparingforemergencies.co...
The government's site is in the internet archive: web.archive.org/web/200408040...
Post Audio by Emi Paternostro, proximitysound.com
🟥 MORE FROM TOM: www.tomscott.com/
(you can find contact details and social links there too)
📰 WEEKLY NEWSLETTER with good stuff from the rest of the internet: www.tomscott.com/newsletter/
❓ LATERAL, free weekly podcast: lateralcast.com/ / lateralcast
➕ TOM SCOTT PLUS: / tomscottplus
👥 THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: / techdif

[@TomScottGo]

This is the first of a trilogy! Part two is out on Wednesday, and part three on Friday. They're three different stories, with three different messages, in three different locations, but with one overarching story. Hopefully it's worth the effort!

[@rawr51919]

A correction to your video: In 2008 (which was 10 years ago this year), YT _did_ exist, just it was very different back then than it is today. A different rating system, different theme, even the video quality was much different. People like FPSRussia and Ray William Johnson were at their prime.

[@anarchyantz1564]

Oh my, it was You!! Wow I remember this when it happened, never clocked on it was you Tom as only started following you (online not stalker wise) this year.

[@lforlight]

So far so good. Eager to watch the rest.

[@mukrifachri]

The Making of : Tom Scott ? idk but I thought you already blathered enough about it on Matt & Tom XD

[@Tomtheepicestgamer]

Ugh why do you have to tease us with your secrets so much? Just kidding, love this channel

[@pk5489]

good to see that even Toms career started off with a shitpost

[@xexpaguette]

second reply, 1k likes

[@hunner-eq7jt]

uhhhhhhh botted comment much?

[@xexpaguette]

@@hunner-eq7jt ? bots don't say these things. usually just advertising

[@pk5489]

@@hunner-eq7jt damn right

[@hunner-eq7jt]

@@xexpaguette that's painfully obvious, kids can bot their own comment for attention, not just for advertising

[@Lugmillord]

"Mom, Tom Scott says I should get in trouble with the government to become popular."

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

😂

[@borisc6714]

Go for it, my son, go for it... If this person I never heard of says it, it must be true...

[@doctorwhomemories8939]

Mum*

[@whymakemelikegobruuh767]

@@doctorwhomemories8939 dude , mom is also right

[@doctorwhomemories8939]

I was joking dude. I’m from the UK and we say mum. It’s a cultural joke that people should understand.

[@ard-janvanetten1331]

"I did it because the alternative is not doing it" - Tom Scott, 2018

[@rileysteidel7084]

Definitely a creed I like to think I follow

[@SchiwiM]

Some of the best memories are made because of bad ideas 😏

[@dopaminecloud]

sounds like a criminal motive confession

[@xtzyshuadog]

*"There are other definitions of success that AREN'T just about the numbers ($)"*

[@vanzyl2547]

Basically when someone asks you why you’re doing something and you say: „because why not“

[@oberhaldenwegnews5672]

The funny thing is that his website is still online, the original one from the government isn't.

[@Jazzinthedark84]

The Govt website is linked beneath the video. The supposed link to his page went to his Facebook page but his actual page is still there too

[@clementpoon120]

Nice to know he's still spending is income for this thou

[@iGoNorth]

I want him to answer

[@CaptArgo24]

still works in 2021

[@fk0692]

@@CaptArgo24 works February

[@-__-_-_--__--_-__-_____--_-___]

"Some moderate hits when I was younger" Makes national news and starts beef with the government. What do you consider a big hit

[@benjaminnewlon7865]

Global domination.

[@TheChippyMonster]

Going to a Japanese forest If you know what I mean

[@maruftim]

@@TheChippyMonster no

[@chokalocpurple9243]

@@maruftim indeed

[@whosfrogj]

I consider my comment getting 10 likes a big hit.

[@bonecanoe86]

How to become successful on KZbin: Step 1: Go back in time to 2008.

[@qwertyuiopzxcfgh]

I've been here since 2005, I'm still not successful. What did I do wrong?

[@Igor-hj3tn]

qwertyuiopzxcfgh no content

[@Fouriersuir]

qwertyuiopzxcfgh maybe lying or more likely, no videos

[@shifty2755]

@@qwertyuiopzxcfgh You're crap.

[@Landie_Man]

I’m not sure I want to be popular on KZbin. While a lot of big KZbinrs have remained true and pure, it seems most have not.

[@usernotfound-jw7xs]

"That Time I Got In Trouble With The Government " i'm surprised this isn't about how you flew a kite in a public place

[@RJ-wx3fh]

Bom bom bom, bom bom bom , bom , Flew a kite in a puuubliic plaaaace

[@usernotfound-jw7xs]

@The Lenny Show we flew a kite in a puubblliicc plaaace

[@dominikaborg9104]

YES!!!

[@acornmaybe]

We flew a kite in a puuuuuu

[@matchaeylle]

when I literally just came from that video

[@rossfreakes3164]

Government: Take down your joke, it isn't funny. Tom: Haha, No. Government: :o

[@UnboxingTVofficial]

that part killed me :D

[@RuyVuusen]

Government: >:(

[@shadez2999]

The website is still up

[@TwistTornado9]

Understandable have a nice day

[@shernielthesheep]

shut

[@differentlyabledmuslimjewi4475]

I'm starting a channel named Scott Tom, wearing a slightly off red shirt and speaking in a vaguely welsh dialect visiting odd places and doing neat things.

[@r.b.4611]

Scom Tott would be a better name.

[@brokenwave6125]

Shouldn't you go to boring places and do uninteresting things. Also I'd recommend a green shirt.

[@Creepsington]

Scom Tott

[@brokenwave6125]

@@Creepsington Tim Scitt

[@RednOtherStuff]

ScomTotTV

[@landoflogic107]

Tom, do you just travel to random locations simply to use them as a back drop, then go home?

[@fishinghobo]

Land of Logic I don’t need sleep I need answers

[@NetheriteMiner]

@@fishinghobo haha I get that joke hahaha

[@playdead8734]

Rohan Sangani explain please.

[@NetheriteMiner]

@@playdead8734 it's a big bang theory reference. it's also a popular meme format

[@theperfectmix2]

Yes

[@austinbaldwin7836]

How to get famous online: Step 1: Buy a red shirt Step 2: Step 3: Profit

[@kinggamer1214]

@Mark Omega haha I understood that reference

[@jd_the_cat]

@@kinggamer1214 Star Trek.

[@sssswerth5323]

Step 2: be british

[@emmytheidiot5802]

Can’t even do step one. I would look like a traffic light

[@BrainPermaDeD]

I have step 1

[@madscience1221]

Fun fact: Tom's website has outlasted the British government's for a while now. Edit: As it should

[@jd_the_cat]

Yes.

[@cheesecakelasagna]

As it should.

[@tenplusten1116]

As it should.

[@MartinParnham]

As it should.

[@andrewsumsion2389]

As it should.

[@xxbeatuupzz]

I think the best part about it is that the parody outlasted the original

[@CardCaptorKaren]

The instant you mentioned that freaking leaflet I knew exactly where this was going. I remember that page doing the rounds of my high school ICT class.

[@InsaneGamersOfficial]

It did the rounds of my primary school ICT class.

[@brandonchan5387]

In my ICT class, we had Ugandan Knuckles and Lenny faces. What a century we live in.

[@tripleunder]

@@InsaneGamersOfficial damn weeb

[@kr4zyy]

Unrelated note: There is a practice called Cybersquatting, where Cybersquatters, people who buy domains close to popular domain names, hold on to these domains and sell them for way much more that they bought the domain name for just because the domain name is sought after.

[@trueriver1950]

Another unrelated note. Elephants are grey.

[@landon3137]

Unrelated note: C#

[@sircookie7255]

@@trueriver1950 not if u paint it yellow

[@sircookie7255]

@freezysforever not if u kill them

[@sircookie7255]

@@landon3137 fair enough i dont have a comeback for that

[@baalrog887]

"90% of everything is crap" in my opinion that's optimistic.

[@Tjalve70]

Well, 90% of everything is crap. 80% of the rest is also crap, but slightly less crappy.

[@freds2150]

this is a crap reply section.

[@Mark_Master1]

That means that 10% of stuff isn't crap!

[@Tjalve70]

@@Mark_Master1 No. It means that 10% may not be crap. Most of it is crap anyway, but it's not certain.

[@thewanderinggamer1369]

@@Tjalve70 M a t h

[@cdsaylor2]

The most popular thing I did was done while working as a contractor for the US Air Force right out of college. We were going to have a table at an event. So I had one night to get a sign for the table. All the logos I found online for the Air Force had an awful background that was just slightly off white or made a printout off the office printer look awful. So I took some time learned a bit of GIMP, and made a mask and very hastily cut out the logo and put some WordArt underneath it to look generically like the air force logo. You can tell this because the edges of the letters are so incredibly sloppy cause I was individually picking pixels. A believer in open source tools and fresh into it, I threw it up on creative commons for anyone to use who'd like to. To this day its still the #1 result for "Air Force Logo", I've seen it on all sorts of articles talking about the Air Force, and even offical government newletters. And I can always tell BECAUSE it's so sloppily done that it is mine.

[@musaran2]

#1 rule of popularity : fill in a need. There was a need for a casually printable Air Force logo.

[@MrEazyE357]

So which one is it? Is it the "vintage" logo or the current one? I have to see it now but I didn't see any in the top results of Google that we're obviously sloppy.

[@evannibbe9375]

that_G_EvanP I believe it is the eleventh one down in a search of “Air Force logo” on DuckDuckGo.

[@stillsalty947]

Could ylso be the wimikedia commons one

[@shoudehuang1244]

@@evannibbe9375 Brother, I too am a duck duck go user.

[@Quantum973]

Even hearing Tom say the words "incredible facts about cartoon series you won't believe!" made my heart sink a little bit. Tom is the pinnacle icon of having passion for his craft on this platform.

[@isaacdoukaskomnenos8013]

"Something quick and dirty that they slapped together became popular" Just like KZbin comments

[@ContactDeadAhead]

nObOdY:

[@thewanderinggamer1369]

@@ContactDeadAhead nOT a sINglE vILiGeR:

[@adamrezabek9469]

This commey deserve much more likes

[@utleychase7]

4:39 is proof why we _”love”_ Tom Scott.

[@terrotorotbart8319]

It's strange to imagine 1,300,000 people all subscribed to a channel about one person. I guess Tom's been doing good for himself.

[@Zworri]

Terroto Rotbart its even strangerbif you imagine 50,000,000 people subscribed to one person

[@blackcountryme]

It's not really the person thought it's the content that person provides.. the person is a big part of it (honest, trustworthy, entraining etc.)

[@aleemjohnson3416]

You must be new to the internet

[@Zworri]

läderlappen lets be specific! 65,532,492 :D Note:reply to this comment the current subscribers of pewdiepie in your current timeline

[@terrotorotbart8319]

@@aleemjohnson3416 No I'm not new to the internet, I'm just saying, isn't it strange when you think about it?

[@vxel]

I will now devote my life to figuring out how I can piss the government off without being arrested or killed in the name of Internet fame.

[@shambhav9534]

No need. Just get trick a Lawyer into signing a paper that states "I have checked if the turns out to be illegal, it will be my fault." And then...

[@gibusgamer93]

"My site's still online: ..." "The government's site is in the internet archive: ..." That subtle flex

[@owenjames8575]

Its not a flex

[@stevenbridges]

This is so true! Some tricks I've worked on for AGES have tanked, and some things I've thrown together in a day have done really well. There's definitely a point of diminishing returns for perfectionism.

[@JustAJemm]

Yee

[@FabulousKilljoy]

How one of my videos went. Spent an hour writing a stupid song, it got way more attention than the ones I actually spent time on.

[@Graveyardgirl33]

True

[@sbs5130]

5:07 The color scheme for the graph could seem to imply "Don't Do It" also means "See If Matt Wants To Do It Instead."

[@martinpaulsen1592]

Or, perhaps, "see if splitting the effort with Matt brings it above the line."

[@TheR971]

Almost thought about posting it on r/CrappyDesign

[@kyleedwards4903]

" We wouldn't have bothered but Blunkett insisted" has to be the absolute best line in that whole webpage

[@Bluefire397]

I just appreciate how this guy can stand infront of a camera for six minutes and not stutter or make a speaking error once.

[@CBG232x5]

Oh man. This is a *really* solid video series. I think this is the closest thing we are going to get to an autobiography outside of the time he digitized his hoodie at thinking digital.

[@CBG232x5]

The park bench series being more biographical because it is Matt and Tom riffing off of each other.

[@turtles10]

I love that one

[@ConsciousnessInc]

Hi Tom, what were those ANCIENT MYSTERIES the GOVERNMENT doesn't want me to know about? I must know. Are there 10 of them? Will I be particularly surprised by number 8?! Please tell me, Tom!

[@Max_J2001]

Oniblaable The ancient mysteries are information on how to prepare for emergencies, coincidentally enough.

[@qwertyuiopzxcfgh]

10? No, there are 14, not including the 3 honorary mentions. You are right about number 8 though, it will _literally_ blow your mind.

[@jur4x]

So finding out those ancient secrets is simple? All I have to do is

[@killercaos123]

Stay tuned......

[@princegoatcheese9379]

*NUMBER 15* *BURGER KING TOE SALAD*

[@christopherg2347]

"90% of everything is crap": I run by the 90/90 rule for MS Office: "90% of the users will not use 90% of the Functions. But the 10% of Automatics are responsible for 90% of all Frustration when working with it."

[@adelaide7822]

MS office is bloated change my mind

[@christopherg2347]

@@mymo_in_Bb I guess that means you only know about 90% of the functions 😊

[@christopherg2347]

@@adelaide7822 "Change my mind" is a trolling technique. It is shifting goalposts, upgraded to unreachable goalpost I really do not like it.

[@adelaide7822]

@@christopherg2347 sorry I didn't mean to troll, but you are right though, I probably shouldn't have commented to begin with since I am feeling a bit toxic and numb today, so sorry if I offended you

[@christopherg2347]

@@adelaide7822 Not offended really. I asumed it was in jest, it is just something I dislike proliferating - even in jest.

[@williamrose3413]

I love how Toms site is still up while the original government page isn't anymore

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Great insights.

[@avnishshrivastava2272]

U

[@sportnewsfc7024]

Verified!

[@yura2424]

And he is here

[@Nimja]

Make content about making content so people watch your content to understand how to make content ;) Mostly it's about hard work and lots of luck of getting exposed. I fully agree with Bo Burnham on this. Additionally; do stuff you *enjoy* doing.

[@freds2150]

since you have a verification mark Hi NiMjA HyPNoSiS DiDnT ExPeCt To SeE yOu HeRe!

[@resident1793]

Facts

[@CH-bd6jg]

I also agree with Tom here, fail faster. if it's not a passion project you're doing regardless of whether it succeeds, then do something, and see if it justifies doing more of it.

[@williamreid6255]

UPDATE `articles` SET `content` = REPLACE(‘content’, ‘--‘, ‘’);

[@Magda_7396]

😲 who did I find here!? It's been so long since I listened to your videos, I need to do it again...

[@grace3112]

Government: take down your website Tom: no❤️

[@bug_stonkin_wess1221]

Government: >:(

[@cheesecakelasagna]

Tom: uwu

[@theheavycoder9326]

government: understandable, have a nice day

[@snivyfan1476]

@@theheavycoder9326 Tom: Owu

[@subramonianiyer9010]

Tom Scott: KZbin didn't exist 10 years ago. Me: *Views Tom's oldest video about frying eggs, uploaded 2006 Also me: *Sees that the video was released in 2018 Also me: *(Visible Confusion)*

[@Sean-ct8cv]

IKR

[@treecap2575]

"it was more than 10 years ago"

[@jayankaghosh]

@GoonSharky Not really a woooosh moment mate

[@Canleaf08]

KZbin ist now 16 years old... I started in 2006 as a confused 16 yo. Now I am 31. And still confused what this website is about.

[@nathanjohnpalaogaming4872]

@@Canleaf08 memories in a nutshell

[@Mic_Glow]

"Preparing for an emergency - What you can do Look, it's an emergency. How are you supposed to prepare for it? It's in the bloody dictionary. " A serious situation or occurrence that happens unexpectedly and demands immediate action." If you expect it, it's not an emergency, is it? Honestly." Website layout is straight out of 1995, but the level of effort he put into it and the dark humor held up very well.

[@wisteela]

And the design was copied from the real one!

[@ROFT]

Luckily the emergency services don't train their staff because emergencies are unexpected.

[@George-li1yv]

Mocking the govenment is a good laugh I will admit.

[@Magsterzb]

They do it themselves these days

[@leobastian_]

but mocking the government and they don't like it? Hilarious

[@frazerguest2864]

I enjoy your ‘shorts’ Each one about a different subject, almost always about something I didn’t know anything about. Your enthusiasm is infectious and inspires me to go off and learn more about the subjects of your videos. Many thanks.

[@youcantchangeyouryoutubeus6065]

“90% of everything is crap” Me an intellectual: well crap is 100% crap

[@DavidWillanski]

wrong, it's 10% corn

[@professionalbozo4396]

David Willanski 100% cake

[@MonkeyJedi99]

And everything is about 99.9999% empty space.

[@baronvonbeandip]

@@DavidWillanski What, you gonna pick out that 10% for Christmas dinner? Nah, it's still crap.

[@bbbbbbb51]

@@MonkeyJedi99 including that thing between your ears ;D

[@AqilDaiyan]

"IT'S JUST A PRANK BRO!" -Tom, 2004

[@CantSniff]

So that got you in trouble but running for government dressed as a pirate and taking the piss out of the electoral system didn't...

[@mukrifachri]

that's common in the UK actually.

[@wea1117]

There are entire parties dedicated to doing that. The Monster Raving Loony Party is the most famous.

[@randyzhu9705]

dEmoCracY...

[@infernox1099]

all praise lord buckethead, the greatest person to run

[@timothymclean]

eXa12: Why do I have the feeling you're poking fun at the head of state for some other English-speaking nation...

[@notoverlyacerbic9574]

"something quick and dirty slapped together" sounds like my marriage..

[@gregothy9190]

F

[@sophias.8758]

I have to know, how was your profile picture discovered? I must know because I have the same one on another account. I have to know the story

[@Zeuskabob1]

"the thing they've poured their heart, soul, and effort and time into; that thing sank; but something quick and dirty that they slapped together has become popular" This is a personal attack on all Game Masters.

[@simon_patterson]

I love your content and this video is no exception, but I still can't help marvelling at how good you are at monologues to camera whenever I watch your vids.

[@calsimeth1588]

I think he has a phd right? If so then he probably got a lot of practice from teaching, assuming he taught (can you tell I am guessing?).

[@anophelesnow3957]

@@calsimeth1588 No, he's just known as a one-take presenter.

[@CarthagoMike]

The biggest reason you've come so far is because you keep delivering quality content every single time. Keep up the great work! I am looking forward to your 1,5 million subscriber hallmark :)

[@omarhuda4997]

Nah, it's actually because of his red shirt.

[@sunriseadventures5459]

HOW TRUE!! I have only been up about a year.. doing ok, but a video i just did (2 min and thrown together) got my all time HIGH views 5800!! ROCK ON!! It doesn't matter how long ago, your videos are timeless!!

[@dgscorner]

I still can't figure out how old Tom is, after years of watching his videos.

[@andyhartley]

Good news is RSS still exists. Many many podcasts are still distributed with it.

[@renakunisaki]

Many sites still have it, although they don't advertise it. Sadly it is starting to fade.

[@ohpurpled]

I would argue it's not a podcast if it isn't distributed by RSS although these days Apple/Google/Whatever generally abstract that away with their lists of known feeds

[@Onihikage]

Generating an RSS feed for each of my subscribed KZbin channels has been an incredibly useful trick for me.

[@sam060497]

I still get my news via RSS feeds

[@memeyselfandi]

I got back to it using it as my primary news source, since (as far as I know) it doesnt get manipulated by some ai thinking it knows best what you want to read/watch/listen to

[@arifulislamjubaer]

"That time I got in trouble with the government." Hmm... Sounds like a anime title.

[@codinghub3759]

If anyone is possibly wondering, it is 'That Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime'

[@ChristopherTradeshow]

Things to remember If you are involved in any emergency it is important to: Run like hell, particularly if you caused the emergency. Trample all others in your desperate attempt to escape. Loot on the way out.

[@tonyth9240]

Sounds like America rn

[@trueriver1950]

And then keep a low profile till the fuss dies down

[@lordfarquaad5358]

I love your monologues Tom, they're as inspirational as they are impressive as they are entertaining. Keep being amazing and different, because your such a great breath of fresh air

[@alanreader4815]

How to become popular like tom online. Wear a Red T-Shirt and grow a pony tail. Ha Ha Ha Ha.

[@LeelssDelta]

And run for parliament as a Pirate

[@alanreader4815]

And sit in a Kitchen and have Chris say "I was expecting that to be longer" And the rest of them wet themselfs with laughter.

[@terrylecroix4745]

Step two, cut off pony tail.

[@zinniaward8549]

Yeah, just wear the same top as the one in that one photo that you kinda liked

[@reonero958]

K

[@adamn7409]

I love how you define part of your succcess based on how much fun you’re having more than how much money you’re making.I wish to be like you one day,doing what you love AND have a sustainable life

[@110_rushanpatel7]

This guy is just awesome...Tom Scott keep doing what your doing, it really motivates at times.

[@mlucas4144]

This is probably my favorite video I’ve seen of yours so far. Good work, all of it, your life’s work.

[@LastofAvari]

2:58 paused the video to check that sarcastic website version out. Yup, it still exists :)

[@innocentbeancreature2370]

Link plz

[@aidenstanley7305]

Gd ll4ma read the description.

[@MisterAppleEsq]

4:53 is quite sweet. It's nice to see someone really enjoying what they do.

[@HookerHeels]

I only found your channel about a week ago. I don't even remember what video it was I've watched so many of yours so far. But I must say, your videos are always extremely interesting, and usually a quick watch, where I can watch 2-3, maybe even 4 or 5, in the timeframe of these big, long, drawn out videos some people put out. It's super enjoyable to learn about several topics in a short time, yet still feel like I learned a lot about each topic. Thank you for your videos, Tom.

[@user-jn2mx5oy5k]

thank u tom. you are truly an inspiration

[@paulsmyers203]

I think it's important for people to define their goals, in no uncertain terms. If your only goal is "to be popular on the internet", you're likely going to have to abandon all other personal goals and interests, identify what it is people are interested in consuming from the internet, and become a top tier producer of that content. If you want to distribute your hobby on the internet and discover other people who also enjoy your hobby and appreciate your production, you might be in for a struggle. But you'll learn a lot about how to present your hobby in entertaining and consumable ways for the masses.

[@LashanR]

Such great advice! I noticed the same how a video I poured 100s of hours into is only doing reasonably well after 2 years, whereas a video I made very quickly and only expected my friends to watch actually blew up. Looking forward to this series!

[@robhaley5136]

This has really, really helped me. I've been working on a business plan with my friend as we have time right now of course, and we had a huge decision to make which watching this has answered. I didn't realise I hadn't subscribed before, but I have now. Thank you!

[@vimalalwaysrocks]

One of the most informative & interesting youtube channels! Its an understatement to say your inspire your viewers with your research and knowledge.

[@PowahSlapEntertainmint]

Tom is looking like a member of organization 13.

[@thanosunreal5848]

PowahSlap Entertainmint and there come 200+ likes

[@114418514]

Tom? you meant Moxt, right?

[@knightshousegames]

He's just sneaking into the organization to pull a prank on them. Joke is on him though, because Tetsuya Nomura already goes out of his way to make them look foolish

[@user-uj2mp3ee9v]

He is

[@ithinkitspickingupalittleb8011]

:O You watch Tom Scott!

[@firehog]

Your naration style and storytelling has improved over the years I have subscribed to your channel. Previusly I would only think"it's going to be fun to see the next chapter sometime" now, I hardly can't wait! Really looking forward to it!

[@firehog]

By the way, the page is WONDERFULL! friggin love it.

[@subswithnovideos-ko5sd]

I love this. The site is *still* up, and it’s almost 2020.

[@artysanmobile]

Your DO IT diagram is brilliant and I will be tacking it up wherever I think it will help. Thanks Tom!

[@adrianridgway4333]

I have found this to be true. I’m no Internet personality (and don’t really want to be) but I have posted thousands of things online in my time hoping others would find them amusing or engaging. Nothing ever took off. Then one day on Twitter somebody asked us to post our greatest achievement. I posted ‘I blessed the rains down in Africa.’ This terrible joke received almost three thousand likes and eight hundred retweets. By far one of the most inane and banal things I have ever posted just happened to be the thing that struck an audience at that time. You just never know what will stick, so if I ever did want to get big online, I would just focus on producing good stuff consistently and not pour my heart and soul into it. Although would be nice to actually go and bless the rains down in Africa...

[@Sebb_Music]

I've spent the last 3 years of my life or so making original music with sometimes months of effort poured into and the one thing that takes off is a remake of a popular song that isn't even fully accurate. And a stupid Trump meme that i unlisted now. I hate the internet.

[@musaran2]

Pitting blessing rains as a greatest achievement is actually a good joke. In very few words, it subtly paints a stark contrast between religious delusional ego vs ordinary yet uncontrolled forces of nature. Humor is made of such gross misapplications : blessing does not work like that, rain does not work like that.

[@TheDeathmail]

@@Sebb_Music But here is the thing... why would they care??? If you made a parody of something they like, at least they care about the subject you are making a parody of. But if you are making something original, then you are only showing it off to your fans. Most KZbinrs that can get a lot of views for their original songs got super lucky (like winning the lottery really) or they already have a large amount of followers. And even then, it gets less views than their covers, because their covers get fans from the original song AND their own fans. And frankly, just because you put your heart and soul into it doesn't mean it would resonate. I mean, EVERYONE has parts of themselves that fit with the majority, but also parts that fit with a minority. And maybe what you put your heart and soul into would only fit with the minority of similar taste. And if that is true... then you shouldn't be discouraged if it's not huge... because it would instead be something special for a small group of people that could enjoy your more unique taste. And that is always something to rejoice over.

[@esporeno]

at the start its, quantity. So the audience can decide what they like and after that it has to be quaility ^1^

[@lazypizzaguy]

quick and dirty is usually me when it comes to liking the stuff tom makes. i like the park benches and the technical diffuculties stuff more than tom's main stuff but i really like toms main channel stuff too.

[@RajasPoorna]

Thanks Tom! I needed this right now!

[@King_Bob_The_Third]

I can't beive it! The spoof site is STILL up! Great work there Tom!

[@trasher618]

Should've just gotten your joke website loiscense

[@tomc4717]

oy, ya got a loiscence fo bein witty?

[@trasher618]

Oy gov, can I see ya permit fo checking me loiscense?

[@allanrichardson1468]

Maybe John Cleese would like you to make a website for the Ministry of Silly Walks? That would be hilarious!

[@Bormeir]

Always keep me loiscense in me pack of winnie blues mate

[@martijn208]

so aperture science method, throw things to the wall and see what sticks?

[@qwertyuiopzxcfgh]

That's the way to make anything creative though. Make things that you enjoy yourself, and eventually you'll get something that others like as well.

[@DoctorWhom]

aperture science gets distracted by the idea of making things out of white plastic, maybe don't take advice from them.

[@saltysoysauce954]

Cakes are sticky

[@jauxro]

"The chances of a project succeeding aren't coupled to how much time, effort, and money you've spent on it." I'm going all antsy and insane over my own videos again and... Gosh, I already knew that. But I felt something like instant relief, hearing it again.

[@raydriver7300]

And now getting on for 4 million subscribers. I like your graph and the way you go seamlessly from Scotland to London. Don’t stop, Tom. 🌞

[@BrenMcCullough]

I've subscribed and followed your posts, vlogs, games, and particular viewpoint for years. But one post more than any other has really been the defining post that made me continue to follow your efforts. Ba-dum tiss. Off a cliff. It showed me you were of a like mind as I am. So here I am still.

[@AlexDisibio]

It seems like most people who try very hard fail, but most people who succeed tried very hard to do so. So it seems best to try as hard as you can afford given expecting nothing.

[@beepboop4612]

You have literally the funniest stories ever and i can't fathom how you get into every possible situation

[@LiamRproductions]

A great message. Thanks Tom.

[@nathanishungryanimations7206]

Younger Tom: “HA, PRANK’D!” Tom now: *internal cringing intensifies*

[@ogrejd]

Oh, we already know what that really important piece of the puzzle was: red t-shirts! You were nothing until you started wearing those. ;P

[@Dawgwath]

I already had loads of respect for you Tom Scott but somehow missed this gem in your personal history! Well played, sir... well played!

[@catyes7632]

Nearing 4 years now and over 5 million subscribers, good on Tom

[@lifeintaiwan]

LOVE THIS

[@JustAJemm]

:D

[@avnishshrivastava2272]

Askers were found

[@sportnewsfc7024]

Verified

[@thornprick2645]

Oh I love the detail about Tom's site being online still and the government's site being in the internet archive (hurray for internet archives btw).

[@solidkingcobra]

aight this is the video that convinced me to subscribe to you. great job and keep up the great work.

[@Styrixa]

This is one of my favorites, especially the awesome graph. I'm using that, and sharing it. Thank you!

[@loridragon1118]

The joke site still being up but the actual government site not being up is peak irony and comedy.

[@quikie988]

The quiet kid being forced by the teacher to tell a campfire story:

[@bug_stonkin_wess1221]

So thats how i got this ankle bracelet and the innability to access any computer

[@samsunguser3148]

@@bug_stonkin_wess1221 sussy baka

[@seanfatzinger]

This show is fantastic! Keep up the Awesome work! And thank you!

[@michaelo.4986]

*I highly apprecite your effort in your videos!*

[@niklaspilot]

It probably was when he flew a kite in a public place

[@paulwisdom5383]

And to add insult to injury for the Government, its still live all these years later. Good job

[@gracecee_]

wow I wish I could like this video twice....even now in 2021 it's such great advice embedded in such a captivating story. really great job

[@TheGudsProduction]

Hi Tom, I'm your new subscriber from Indonesia. I enjoy watching your videos, you explain everything thing clearly and honestly.

[@WhereisRoadster]

I learned when I created a viral website 6 months ago that it is relatively easy. Getting people to stay going to it, however, can be quite tricky. This is really good advice, and something that I'm trying to do on my own, although I like the way you put it. Of course, my viral website that took me a few days to put together (4 hours for the initial version, which I improved as it saw success) was about project 10 that I had worked on, and the only one that has had any real success. Trying to leverage that in to another product is tricky. Really look forward to hearing more of what you have to say!

[@TheMe26]

i understood literly nothing gimme da link beech

[@WhereisRoadster]

I would post the link to the site, but I suspect it would be flagged as spam and not shown. But the site is whereisroadster .com, remove the space and you should be able to find it.

[@Fergus110]

"This does not begin on a rainy Scottish island, it begins in London." Transitions to London -Bagpipes audible in the background-

[@mickshi279]

Thank you Tom, I can really use this video during this time of my life

[@creepychris420]

duuuuuude this is such a subtle flex but i love it ahahah, nice dev prank. way back in the day too, didn't realise how much of a legend you were 😂