Knowing Better
patreon
Knowing Better 2025 - Hunkering Down
🕑 Added 2025-01-31 20:13:35 +0000 UTCHey everyone, it's that time of year again where I recap the last year and lay out my plans for the next one.
-
In last year's update, I said that I wanted to go back to the basics and just make videos without all of the side projects, merch drops, and other distractions. That's definitely what happened when it came to Youtube, but not at all what happened in my personal life.
This time last year, I was done with my research on the SDA video and was already writing the script. The video didn't come out for another 7 months, which was not my original plan. I was hoping to get two videos out in 2024, but that didn't seem to happen, because...
I got married at the end of February and we went on our honeymoon to Iceland in October. Both Atlas and Peabody's health continued to decline and needed near-constant care. They died exactly two weeks apart in June. We bought a house in July and moved in at the end of August. All of these events are what my therapist described as "extreme stressors."
Since I didn't want to have a sponsor for the SDA video, I took my time editing. It used to be that after every video released, there were several parts where I would think to myself, "if I had another few days, I would have made a map or something to show here." So, for this video, I spent the few days making the map, or polishing the effect, or proofreading it for the sixth time.
Right now, the SDA video is easily the one I'm most proud of, both in terms of information and delivery. I released it early on Patreon and almost doubled my number of supporters, so it was a pretty big success for the channel too.
After the video came out and I was moved into this new place, I spent about a month (and all of my Patreon gains) building a new studio in the basement. You've probably seen me posting pictures of it on Patreon or elsewhere, but I'm pretty excited about it. It's a proper studio, rather than just a spare bedroom. There's noise insulation in the walls and ceiling, the best sound panels I could find, an overhead rail system, the whole works.
I also began research on my next video on Hawaii, which I finished up around mid-January, but I'll talk more about that in a later section.
-
2024 by the Numbers
I still use Clockify to track my hours, but also as a tool to keep me focused. I know when I click the start button, I'm in "work mode."
I wasn't able to work as many hours as I had originally hoped due to all of the personal life happenings. I'm very sincerely hoping that this year is a little more calm and I'm able to be more productive.
-
Changes for 2025
Patreon
Thanks to the response I got from the SDA video, I'm very much planning on my next video to be released early on Patreon again. I also plan to keep up with the monthly updates so you don't think I'm just sitting around twiddling my thumbs.
To be clear: The version of the SDA video I posted early to Patreon was what I hoped to be the final product, but I expected people would find errors - and they did. The final version that was posted to Nebula, and later Youtube, included those corrections. I expect the same will be true for Hawaii.
I always forget to mention this, but everything that is true for Patreon is likewise true for Youtube members via the Community tab.
Twitch
This last year, I switched to a work/study-with-me model for my streams. It helped me out a ton when it came to keeping myself on task and being productive. Other people seem to enjoy that kind of thing too, but it wasn't all that interactive.
So this year, I will be adding a gaming day to the schedule so we can spend some time hanging out and having fun. Sunday afternoons will be for games, Monday-Wednesday will be for working. Here's what I'm thinking for a schedule:
Sunday: 1pm-4pm Pacific
M-W: 11am-4pm Pacific
-
Thoughts Going Forward
My plan to keep to the basics in 2024 ended up being a good one. With everything that happened here at home, I'm not sure I could have handled too much else. I have no idea what 2025 has in store for me, so right now, my plan is to hunker down and do the same thing again: Focus on making videos, don't worry about side projects.
In my ideal world, I would publish two videos this year. Starting with...
-
The Next Video: Hawaii
This is already shaping up to be a bigger project than the SDA video.
As long-time viewers might remember, I made a video on Hawaii several years ago. Looking back, that video doesn't live up to the standard I've set for myself these days. I know I can do better, so that's what I've set out to do.
So far, I have read more books and watched more documentaries for this project than I have any previous project.
The issue I'm running into is that every source only tells part of the story. They're telling their version of events, forming a specific narrative, or pushing some sort of agenda. I've come to the conclusion that Hawaiian history is far-and-away the most lied about history in America. Sometimes overtly, but more often by omission.
In January, I went on a research trip to Hawaii. I grew up there and went to school there, so I saw a lot of museums and cultural sites on field trips. I revisited a lot of those places and took several docent-guided tours. Even then, every docent put their own spin on the events. Three of them would say it went down like this, and another would say it went down like that. Depending on which tour you took, you could walk away with very different impressions of what happened.
My goal with this project is to unite all of these stories into one, definitive history.
As with every video, I have a few members of that community who have recommended sources and offered to look things over before I start filming. If you feel like your contribution would be helpful, please reach out by email.
I am mostly done with my research and I expect I will begin writing here very soon. I don't want to make any promises as to when the video will be done, because I was incredibly wrong about the SDA project, but I can assure you that this video will be done this year, lol.
-
As with every year, I'm amazed that I still get to do this. When I first started, the traditional wisdom was that you can't expect it to last more than 5 years. This will be my ninth.
This wouldn't be possible without your continued financial, moral, and emotional support. I continue to be forever grateful that you not only enjoy my work, but want me to keep making more.
See you over on Twitch - streams start back up again this Sunday!
Comments
Brexitonia
Hey in your video about Cigarettes at 39:20 you showed a commercial for Kent micornite cigarettes. I cannot seem to find that exact commercial no matter where I look, could you show me where you found it? I'd appreciate it greatly
madasylum1
You heard it here, our man has been claimed. Sorry ladies, you all missed out!
JC Gems
Hey KB. I love your work. You've inspired me to work on my own YT channel. I plan to do in depth well researched videos on famous authors, their bibliography, and literary movements they were part of. Working on my first vid on Hunter S Thompson and Gonzo journalism. Respect your hustle cause it's definitely harder than it looks.
FredShoey
Looking forward to the Hawaii vid. Don't know much except what an 80's tourist could see on Oahu, the usual imperial US nonsense and that Izzy was a great singer.
Anthony McCloskey
I’m so sorry to hear about your losses, thrilled to hear about your new marriage, home, and studio, and I am very excited to see the next video. It makes me feel so good to be able to offer some small amount of support that allows you to do this excellent and important work.
Kevin Torres
KB I’m happy for your achievements last year and send my condolences and best vibes for the lows of last year. Take all the time you need with work because you do amazing work and never worry that you’re not doing enough because you always do quality work. I know you feel your old videos don’t hold up to snuff and I appreciate that about you. I still love watching your older stuff and am always down for aKB marathon.
Knowing Better
I always post my timeline to Patreon once the video is published. Instead of footnotes, I do everything via color-coding.
Donald Taylor
Once you are done with the Hawaii video, I would love an annotated bibliography or a video sources review essay (Patreaons only?). I have been researching the history of U.S. imperialism in Hawaii and have had the same problem you are: the secondary sources available only tell a portion of the story; there is nothing definitive, or even comprehensive; you have to read a bunch of stuff and piece it together yourself. I have never encountered so significant a historical event with such a paucity of sources.
Julie C
Oof! What a year you had. Happy you're able to move forward at whatever pace works because I really love your videos. Enough that I always end up rewatching them - because they're so dense with detail. Your channel is definitely in my top 3 education channels. Thank you for your diligence, persistence, and hard work. It really, really shows.
Ryan Lind
This is awesome, thanks for sharing. I spent a month in Hawaii last year. I also went on a few tours and also heard some conflicting stories. It made me very curious but my light research online didn't produce definitive answers. I am really looking forward to your video, but glad you're taking your time. You do amazing work, thanks for everything!
retronymph
I'm super excited about the Hawaii video, and whatever you get up to next!
Andrew Kroepel
Dude, you’re awesome! Last year was eventful and stressful. It’s amazing to see what you’ve done with all of that happening too! Keep up the good work and know we’re here to support you!
