What Makes Satisfying Videos Satisfying?

[@chibi013]

"Geometric and colorful" Oh my god we are all literally just babies

[@xFirebird925x]

I think it's not just a feeling of completion, it's also a feeling of completion with perfection. Like the machine slicing cheese. The perfection feels great.

[@HauntCraft]

I was learning stuff until you said Jif, then I got distracted and stopped being satisfied.

[@PyroOfMalice]

Hauntoo maybe that was intentional

[@raraavis7782]

The most oddly satisfying videos I can think of are Paul Sellers woodworking videos. I could just watch him for hours...showing joining techniques... removing tiny fragments of wood at a time with his chisel. Every movement is precise and deliberate and the result is always beautiful in it's simple perfection.

[@nyagineko5064]

Dopamine? Thats dope

[@ThatFoxxoLeo]

...amine.

[@jjsmith706]

I can't wait for Christmas so I can open up all the jifts people jive me.

[@xzor2101]

LOL literally just snort laughed oh my jod

[@010adityakapoor6]

What about jinjer then

[@jaschabull2365]

People are more likely to remember tasks they didn't finish? All my entirely forgotten abandoned projects make me question the validity of that statement...

[@Ingcivilcarlos]

Talking about satisfying videos, you guys should do one about ASMR, the first time I saw one of those videos I was weirded out, but it does relax and gives all kind of tingles as if it were a brain massage of some kind, it's really odd.

[@musclehank6067]

but I always forget my partly completed homework...

[@TheCimbrianBull]

As someone on the autistic spectrum I definitely find the "oddly satisfying" videos with all their symmetry and predictable patterns to be very soothing and calming after a long workday dealing with a whole bunch of irrational people. :-)

[@TheCimbrianBull]

Steven Utter Why, yes I do. In fact, I've got a double ass burger with bacon and cheese. You offer is very kind. Give me a large cola, please! :-)

[@DrPonner]

I also have ASD and I also find them soothing for those reasons.

[@smokeyjoewalker208]

*facepalm* What I've actually been looking for is a crashcourse/scipsych video expounding the misconceptions about Autism; and, more saliently, the autistic spectrum. VERY disappointed not to have found anything.

[@katherinerichardson2273]

same and same but sometimes they bother me or they make me want to touch whatever is happening

[@nine300]

I don't watch the videos much, but after I discovered stimboards on tumblr I started making them. I really like looking at a collection of things that are organized by color or theme, and seeing it all at once rather than sequentially over a period of time.

[@thstroyur]

They're oddly satisfying excuses to procrastinate

[@WildStar2002]

I was going to procrastinate but I just kept putting it off.

[@user-ov2fc5sd1e]

@@WildStar2002 what did ya do instead?

[@WildStar2002]

@@user-ov2fc5sd1e I was going to see someone about my amnesia but I forgot.

[@maxxhart9322]

As an autistic person, I’d love to see a study that compares this kind of experience to stimming, because they definitely give me similar feelings and a lot of other autistic people have said the same. Maybe this is just NTs discovering stimming

[@xzor2101]

Dopamine may be the key ...

[@Binyamin.Tsadik]

I like the second theory, it's like music that you cut off before it ends or a magic trick without the payoff, or a joke without a punchline.

[@davidhammitt816]

The "1000 degree metal ball" gets me everytime!

[@pvtpain66k]

You could have mentioned that the entire point of most videogames is to create flow for the player to follow through (ideally) the whole game. This is why some games are great for a session(30 mins to 3 hours) at a time, and others are great when you have a whole day at a time, but many do not cross over.

[@purplefire2834]

"You're not checking things off your to-do list by watching one" Jokes on him, my to-do list is ONLY to watch oddly satisfying videos

[@mmilcz833]

My favorite type of satisfying videos are the ones regarding smooth texture, imagining touching a solid or liquid object when the video displays softness, gumminess etc.

[@matesafranka6110]

Maybe I'm oversimplifying, but imho these videos are satisfying because they are all about regularity. Regularity is predictable, predictability is safe, and safety is comfortable.

[@redj1101]

I'd argue that "oddly satisfying" videos are often satisfying in different ways, so there is probably no simple explanation for why we like them. My favorites are the ones of kinetic sand. I like it because it's Crunchy and feels good to Touch

[@sebern2]

This is why I watch Hank videos to the end! Now I'm going to rewatch this one and imagine the background is pleasing circles instead of random straight edges, corners and polygons.

[@NewMessage]

Well this video was satisfying .

[@papinkelman7695]

New Message I keep pressing the bell, but I see no message?

[@AstroAnalysis]

Your profile pic isn't though. My need to get rid of notifs is very high rn aaaah

[@papinkelman7695]

Shaya Hitoyami I feel your pain.

[@StyxYRenegade]

I got a new message!

[@lostbutfreesoul]

I see you all over youtube.... Are you a collective or just following the same videos as me?

[@waterfox2110]

I've got adhd, and I can't comprehend how someone can watch this videos for more than 15 seconds. I'm not sure if it's me just being serverly impatient or the fact that I find them boring, but this video was an interesting view of the subject.

[@jamessosa7765]

I guess I'm, proudly, an exception to the rule for I can't make it past a few minutes of the so-called "satisfying" videos. as someone else has already mentioned in the comments, I find this channel's videos a lot more appealing and satisfying

[@coolbabbit639]

I can't wait for more research on this topic. Thanks for giving us some ideas about it in the meantime!

[@VerbalLearning]

I think oddly satisfying videos replicate the effect of matching a square peg with a square hole, a circular peg with a circular hole and a triangular peg with a triangular hole. Everything fits neatly together, it works, it's smooth, it's progress, it's completion, it's affirming our internal categorization of objects and actions. It's the brief feeling of everything synchronizing together in harmony.

[@adrianaldridge2267]

I'm on the autism spectrum and we usually call things like watching these videos "stimming" it's stimulation that we like, it's meant to help us calm down or feel better. People without autism can totally do it but it's normally an autistic thing. What was talked about in the video probably factors into this and how autistic brains function.

[@seatbelttruck]

I can feel textures and such in those kind of videos. It's hard to explain, but that sensation is what I like.

[@bodine219]

I totally get it.

[@gaillewis5472]

Bright colors and geometrics sounds like children's toys and when we were first able to stack the little rings in the right order.

[@thoperSought]

that definition of mindfulness was oddly accurate

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

2:44 He said Gif correctly. Now that's very satisfying to hear him say.

[@cup_check_official]

The Satisfying Feeling Makes Satisfying Videos Satisfying

[@shivarampersaud2332]

Thanks for clarifying and shortening the almost five minute video for me

[@SuperExodian]

not wanting to leave things unfinished is something i know well.. just played stellaris into 2 at night when i was only planning for midnight... completely lost track because i wanted to do just one more thing before saving...

[@jonathanhabib9265]

We also love this kind of videos because we expect an end and it happens. Some videos are almost satisfying but the opposite happens and it leaves a strange feeling.

[@StarSong936]

ASMR! I love them. I have a big problem at work because when the printer starts going on a long printout, the rhythmic sounds coming from it tend to make me sleepy. Also the tapping sounds coming from people typing on their keyboards. I put on ASMR videos to help me sleep at night. My biggest problem with those is when a loud ad comes up, and wakes me up from a sound sleep because of the difference in volume. Grrrr.

[@Pixels_and_Points]

This reminds me why so many people love watching say soap-making videos but never make soap themselves. Or decorate cookies. Or craft. Or....

[@ryannone7716]

Being serious, but the reason this video was so interesting for me to see my feed was that I completely don’t understand why those videos are satisfying, at all

[@El_Presidente_5337]

As someone who speaks english as a second languange: Videos with the word "statisfying" in the titel are for me confusing because when I translate it, it means something in the direction of being happy. And I watches one of these videos, I didn't had joy while watching the videos. The highest emotions were "Ok, I didn't knew that was made this way."

[@AloisMahdal]

I never unerstood the "oddly" part. To me they're just "obviously satisfying".

[@lostbutfreesoul]

I can contest it isn't just the videos, work around machines of mass-production and you start noticing this effect as well. Wonder how many hours I just stood there watching a machine work because of this effect... oh well, I was paid either way!

[@bw000m]

btw, this kinda stuff is also connected to visual (and audio, if the video isnt just playing royalty-free music over everything) stimming! if you ever do a follow up on this, you should probably mention something about that

[@jamesslick4790]

Oddly (no pun intended) I am USUALLY attracted to Asymmetrical forms. (Architecture, faces, car styling..) Am I weird? Don't bother, I already KNOW that I'm weird. LOL.

[@Andrewr73]

now you guys need to do a video on the "Cringeworthy VIdeos" ... where they cut a pie off center, or folding something wrong, etc.

[@lyleblue6739]

I like unsatisfying videos, the subversion of expectations is literally funny

[@elanianiyvwia8687]

What if it’s a combo of all those things?? We get so so focused on it being one single thing. We seem to completely forget it could be a combo of things!!!

[@slipknotboy555]

The creator of the GIF format says it's pronounced with a soft G ("Jif"). However, this is because he wanted it to be a play on words (Jiff peanut butter). That being said, I pronounce it with a hard G. Without knowing about the Jiff thing, a hard G is the most logical pronunciation. The first letter does stand for "graphics," after all.

[@Rennies-World]

Well the creator can shuffle off. I'm never going to pronounce it that way.

[@deniseflattery]

I find science most satisfying as it blows my mind completely. Psychology is a really fascinating subject I really want to explore & read more about.

[@Ice-yp4wg]

Thanks for that _"satisfying"_ insight on those types of videos.

[@zodayn]

They should have just called it the Zeigarnik eff. Not finishing the phrase would be so mentally hurtfull that you'd never forget what it's called. Oh and also because of the irony.

[@V3rP]

My personal opinion is that for some weird reason (haven't identified this yet) we prefer order to chaos. Our pattern recognition shines when there is order, most of these videos showcase something done/working perfectly as it "should" be done/do. It's like watching familiar pattern after familiar pattern (at least it feels like that) so it does indeed relax us since it is a break from the chaos involved in reality.

[@thesuccessfulone]

The efficiency is what I like about it.

[@Volentry]

4:13 That Rolling Stones reference though.

[@109Rage]

>when a jif ends to soon What, are we talking about peanut butter?

[@lumpyfishgravy]

I like doing PCB layouts. I am not alone. It's like a puzzle, and you get paid!

[@Qexilber]

Haven't seen a single of those videos yet, that made ME feel "satisfyed" in any way. Their just plain weird to me, sometimes parts of them kinda beautiful but nothing more.

[@deldarel]

The frustrating part wasn't that the gif ended too soon, it was how you pronounced it

[@briansierzega]

I’ve always pronounced it with a hard G sound....not like the peanut butter like Hank did....

[@shrimpbisque]

Both ways are correct, but the creators of the format pronounced it with a J. Their joke was, "Choosy developers choose .GIF."

[@marilynlucero9363]

That is how some people end up watching 10 hours of Mudkips.

[@Mattteus]

so basically, it's like watching a sports team you like win but better

[@cosmicwonderer6269]

I'm convinced you only say gif wrong just to piss people off

[@Scereyaha]

I think the "vicarious completion" aka empathy response stacking with the release of biochemistry from finishing a project, may be the biggest factor. I'm sure other things are involved with some of these videos, but I've noticed a very obnoxious trend of people trying to make videos like this that just are infuriating to watch because they show the process of something interesting being done, but cut to the next clip before it actually completes. Because it's not just the release we get from "finishing something" I think it's also more similar to why we like music and become more fond of songs the more familiar they become, we anticipate what will happen next, and get "rewarded" when that thing actually happens. Videos that show the process leading up to something finishing screw with that in a bad way, where we anticipate a satisfying conclusion but it jumps to the next clip before getting to the point one would consider actually "finished". It's like listening to a remix of your favourite song for the first time, or listening to something familiar slowed down or sped up, your brain is trying to predict what comes next, but it keeps missing the cue or having it's expectation subverted, which gets really frustrating. Which I think explains _at least in part_ why some of these videos are satisfying [even if it's just watching something blow up] and others are really cringy and annoying to watch. If you don't let the clip play through, it feels like being interrupted part way through a task, which is something I actually find to be _slightly_ rage inducing, depending on what it is.

[@MrHeems]

You are told it is satisfying by the title, so you believe it, and make it satisfying.

[@SomeoneBeginingWithI]

I have seen some videos titled "oddly satisfying" in which the tasks were not finished. The clips were too short, and I felt frustrated rather than satisfied. Judging by the dislike ratio I was not alone.

[@katherinerichardson2273]

they either irk me or relax me

[@Master_Therion]

What an *odd* subject for SciShow Psych to cover, but seeing Hank was *satisfying* ... OMG! This is an Oddly Satisfying Video.

[@TheCimbrianBull]

+Master Therion So, Hank is essentially an oddball in your view? :-)

[@tiffyw92]

TheCimbrianBull I thought he was an oddball, albeit very friendly and informative, in everyone's view. Or am I the odd one out?

[@RyanSeeber]

TODO: 1) Watch SciShow b) Watch "oddly satisfying video" I'll show you Hank.

[@n1elkyfan]

It's unsatisfying that you didn't link to the kneeding video

[@BothHands1]

agreed, i scoured that description for a link T_T

[@NotHPotter]

No, seriously. Kudos for not ganking it, but I doubt they would have minded the traffic. Jonesing for that dopemine fix, yo.

[@onlypranav]

0:18 pauses.... goes watches oddly satisfying videos

[@ZipplyZane]

I haven't seen a video I find oddly satisfying video that wasn't about completion. Usually it builds something up and then finishes it. I also don't find having multiples all that good. It's better as small chunks.

[@nathanmcgregor4639]

This might also explain why I love Infinifactory so much.

[@CheeseTaterson]

I actually prefer the "unsatisfying" videos. The "harmless chaos" factor of them kind of helps my OCD in a way (since my brain is JUST. SO. DAMN. OBSESSED with perfection, it's nice to shut that off and be like, yeah it's okay for things to be a bit messed up), and the subversiveness of them is amusing.

[@_desi_rasta]

Yes, thank you! I've been waiting for this.

[@jamesj.7866]

I like the oozey ones, like the glass melting you mentioned. I'm not sure that has to do with completion.

[@Kythos]

It is very much Gestalt in nature. It is something Kohler and Wertheimer would study on.

[@tylerbugica6051]

I feel completed after watching this video, my essay on the other hand

[@reidr7288]

This video made me satisfied.

[@causticquestionables7888]

Aww Those Neat Rows Of Paint Is So Satisfying, NO WHAT ARE DOING DONT MIX IT, DEAR GOD NOW IM PISSED

[@wytsewolf]

So when I watch these, I'm basically doing cocaine

[@cupcakewithouttheicing]

Does Gif make more sense? Yeah. Do I still say Jif? Heck yeah. Can you stop me? Hell no

[@YCCCm7]

My guess off the top of my head: -Obsessive traits are innate, at some level, to most all people. -Obsessive traits are encouraged because things that are highly organized are probably done by people, and thus organization hints at security of being in a group. -Noticing cheese get cut into careful shapes or some such reinforces the sense of structure and human control, thus giving a sense of relief. Of course, this is some mad Jungian spitballing. I'm sure I'm miles off from the actual explanation.

[@raehiggins5587]

the "not finishing" part kind of doesn't affect people with ADHD though because we usually have trouble with finishing a lot of things.

[@YokoIgurashi]

So that's why I like Tasty videos so much.

[@ebaniyarham4093]

you hank are what make videos satisfying

[@InsanePsychoRabbit]

THANK YOU for pronouncing gif correctly.

[@sogerc1]

Never watched any of those videos but it is oddly satisfying for me to watch the xmatrix screensaver, which displays the digital rain effect from The Matrix movie.

[@sogerc1]

Ok, so I just checked out the top result from the youtube search and it is boring, a waste of time.

[@stax6092]

If you ever watched How it's Made, or anything like it, this was no surprise.

[@SpaceEngineerErich]

This explains so much. One of my favorite channels is Chrisfix. Watching him complete a task on his project car is deeply satisfying. When I am too lazy to work on my project car, I like to watch his videos. The only downside is, my car goes unfinished. Haha

[@tubebility]

SciShow is oddly satisfying!

[@Abraxis86]

Have you guys tried explaining ASMR yet?

[@gabby_bear]

I use the satisfying videos to fall asleep! They're super calming

[@philuptea]

Is it pronounced gif or gif?

[@ponkachu446]

gif

[@VGCHANEL]

Many people say "gif" and I think Hank has said that both "gif" and "gif" are correct, but I prefer just saying gif

[@jjsmith706]

Only a trog pronounces it "gif". Everyone with a brain knows that it's pronounced "gif".

[@AimeeColeman]

philip Shaw my name a gif

[@LMAccount1]

Definitely pronounced “gif”, but maybe it’s a colloquial thing, “gif” or “gif”. I’ll stick with saying “gif”

[@er0cKnowsTwinPeaks]

Yeah I don’t think those videos are satisfying, I just think people are easily entertained and our brains need things to make sense.

[@DrSleepyNotSleepy]

Great vid! Keep up the good work!

[@Yahriel]

so, no link to that video of a machine kneading silicon?

[@ebaniyarham4093]

Like I said you are oddly satisfying Hank my friend, oddly satisfying.

[@tastygoldfish]

So satisfying was a nice rounded like number 10 :)

[@axelarthuro123]

Question: why do people who know more than one language tend to remember words on other languages but struggle to remember it on their first language?

[@papinkelman7695]

I like machine shops, espesialy lathe work. Also: OG

[@Hylogem]

Baby Einstein videos have been doing this stuff for YEARS.

[@lostbutfreesoul]

You could have at least linked to the silicon kneading video in the Dooblydoo....

[@confusedwhale]

Because it gives us an illusion of completion, and as if we were actually don't something. Didn't watch it yet by the way. Let's see how it goes. Oh, and the asmr thing. Now, I will watch this.

[@Sgt-Gravy]

this might stem back to the days if things like grass & trees swayed the same things were safe, & one could allow themselves to relax??