The Tape Library
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A note on true crime...
🕑 Added 2025-03-04 13:23:48 +0000 UTCHey all,
One request I often get is to feature more true crime related cases on the channel. I’ve answered this a few times now but I thought it comes up so often that making a post is a more helpful way to get my feelings on this across.
So I have covered a handful of true crime cases, it’s a topic I at least used to be really interested in (as I’m sure many of you are). But I’ve found that I don’t really enjoy making them as much and I also sometimes feel rather out of my depth and uncomfortable while doing it.
Generally when I have done it, it’s because there is an unsolved mystery element to the story that draws me to it. When making these videos I spend at times weeks engulfed in that particular story, researching and reading as much as I can on it. I find that when doing this with violent crimes it isn’t enjoyable or particularly something that is positive for my mental health.
I also find that I don’t really like what true crime has become in more recent years. While there are undoubtedly so many good examples of the topic being done well, youtube is full of people covering these stories and I just can’t shake the uncomfortable feeling that people's very real life trauma is being used as entertainment. This is not intended to shame anyone for enjoying true crime content, its human nature to be drawn to these darker stories. I have spent my entire life reading about dark real life accounts. Nor am I calling any other creators out specifically. It’s just an unavoidable thing when so many people are doing it, that these real life tragedies just become content. Just more noise to add to the internet. And not everyone who attempts to cover it will have the life skills required to really handle it in a mature way.
Even covering mostly paranormal stuff I find that on occasion people either directly involved in the case or people that knew those that were will reach out and talk to me. These have all been really positive interactions, but I always think if I were to be covering some brutal murder case there’s a more than zero chance that someone who actually knew the victims will hear my words and I just don’t know if I have the skill as a writer to really be fully confident I was presenting their tragedy in a compassionate and non exploitation way.
The paranormal to me feels different. While we do touch on some rather traumatic topics at times, the slightly fantastical element to paranormal stories allows my imagination to run a little bit. To explore different ideas. The interesting part of these stories to me is trying to weigh up all the elements and figure out what is true and what isn’t. Not just to recount to you all some horrible event that took place. I’m fully aware that some topics will come close to the line at times in terms of exploitation (most recently Trans-Allegheny), this is a horror channel, I want it to be creepy, I want it to disturb you a little and I play on horror tropes to achieve that. But I really do try my best to not cross the line.
This isn’t to say I will never cover true crime topics, I likely will on some very rare occasions. But any time I do I want to ensure it’s because I think the story itself has something of value to share and also that it treats the victims with respect. I want it to be because a story has actually impacted me in some way and I think it’s important to talk about, not just because I need content that month.
Thanks to the couple of people who asked this question today, it gave me the chance to put some thoughts to paper that have been going around in my head for some time.
You never know what the future will bring, but my intention for the foreseeable future is that The Tape Library is a paranormal show first and foremost (I count cryptids and aliens in that, I don’t care what you say, fite me).
Reading this back it looks like some serious public statement rather than just my rambling thoughts on a topic haha. Hopefully this is clear, I really struggle to put my thoughts on this into words. Over the past year so many new people have found the channel, so elements of my approach to it obviously won’t be clear to most of you even if they are to me.
So with that in mind, if you have any questions about the channel or the topics I cover as a whole please do drop them below. Not sure how I’ll tackle it yet, if there’s quite a few maybe I’ll answer a bunch in an upcoming video or if not maybe another post with some of the best ones.
Much love to you all
TL
Comments
TheCrimsonDM
I'm personally fine with the fact you don't cover True Crime. I try to avoid that as much as possible. Give me all the eerie supernatural ghosts and aliens in the world, but I don't need to worry about IRL crimes.
Tape Library
This was genuinely touching, thank you so much! I do remember your poetry channel and I love your attitude towards it. Thank you :)
Rachel Elizabeth McDaniel Hughes oldsoullikemine
I think one of the reasons your channels are two of my top three favorites, is because of how authentic they are. You do a great job of telling the stories you share, whether they are among the more widely known or more on the personal encounter end of the spectrum. If it's a story that you can research, you cover every angle... and I believe all of that is because of the fact that most importantly you do it all with a fervent passion. You seem to genuinely love what you are doing and you are doing great at it! None of us (I can truly only speak for myself, but logically assume this is true for most of your subscribers) actually know you... but, because of how open, thoughtful and genuine you seem to be... it very much feels like every episode, we could just be sitting around a table or campfire with you. Listening as you tell us another spooky tale you've been researching. There are plenty of channels who are simply out to please, willing to do or talk about almost anything as long as it gets them views or subs... But no amount of people pleasing, hoop jumping, or box ticking can hold a candle to authenticity and a genuine love or interest in what you are doing. Even before all the growth, back at the start of all this... yes, you have grown and learned so much along the way, don't get me wrong there. But the passion and fire that drives you now, was every bit as present then! It's really very inspiring honestly! I don't know if you remember but I started my own channel a few months ago. It's still very small, only like 150 subs... but through it, I am doing exactly what I know I should be. I am doing what I love! I have published my book now, and am sharing my poetry (one poem at a time) helping others who have gone through difficult situations to understand they are not as alone as they might sometimes feel. As well as trying to encourage others to focus on their own hopes and dreams, to always make time for themselves and to remember that they matter too! In some ways, I thank you for helping me to have courage to find my own voice and to be able to share my work and my story with others in this way. Even if my own channel stays small, knowing that I am being true to myself for the first time in my life, and that I am using this to help others in some way to do the same... I would rather reach a few people from my heart to theirs, then to loose the purpose of it all in trying to get views and subs. If it is meant to grow, I know it will, you have shown me that through your own journey on here. So, in short, thank you for being you, doing what you love and for sharing it with all of us!
Tape Library
Makes total sense, thank you!
Jess Gander
I really enjoy your style of paranormal content. There's so many true crime creators but not many that present paranormal. content in the way that you do. Your content is something I can get totally engrossed in, turn off the lights and just listen and imagine. That's not something I want to do with tragic true crime stories. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy true crime a lot. But I have to fake breaks from it and even so it's hard to find creators that's don't seem to treat it like it's just content. But when I see a Tape Library episode uploaded, I know I'm going to get a fantastic telling of a story that also let's my mind wander and explore with yours on the possibilities, all while not making me paranoid about real true crime. Idk if any of all that made sense, but I absolutely support and hope you stay more to the fantastical side, it's such a refreshing break. Your style, narration, video lengths, and topics seriously make you my perfect channel. Please continue on with what YOU want to see the channel as, and what's most fun/least detrimental to your health. I'm excited to see what other wild topics you cover that I've never heard of. :)
Dee the Lobsterdancing Bananaland Dinosaur Monster
I agree with you. I used to be a true crime junkie but I did find that it wears the spirit down over time. I respect that you took the time to put your thoughts down here to explain. I love paranormal stories and I find your production and planning that you put into these episodes result in some compelling and very well researched material.
Sandi Lusk
I understand the bread and circuses feeling of many true crime shows like Dateline. Thanks for this post.
agent 355
I’m just gonna keep asking so you will do more ;) you’re great tl 💜
Tape Library
I mean this is the Q&A so anyone feel free to ask away. Also I DID!! I did a few episodes back just because you kept asking haha
agent 355
First I’d love you to do a q&a. But mostly- this is your channel TL- you’re the content creator. We do what you want :) I will always suggest ideas, as you know lol. I’ve probably suggested at least 890 ideas by now, but I never get mad if you don’t take them. I suscribe because I enjoy you as a content creator. You can only make magic like you do if you are creating the things you enjoy. If you aren’t feeling good about it, then magic wont come through as much and some of your flavor will be lost. You are very good at what you do. I think probaby you’re my actual favorite story teller on the entire platform and there’s many many many story tellers out there. In my mind you do have a certain appeal that makes you enjoyably different than others. Just do what you feel good about and no need to explain. ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ the only exception to this is your night drive intro- I’m still waiting for you to tell us to get comfortable like you do for the main channel ;) haha
The Original Deer
Whatever you make, I love and will watch regardless. I do however much prefer the paranormal things, and would rather you were comfortable and happy when producing the content you make. So do whatever makes you happy, I'll be there to support you
Traci Torello
I've followed pretty much from your beginning and truly enjoy everything you approach. Please keep doing what you do. I love the mystery element of your topics, and you truly do it best. There is way too much true crime on YouTube. I have been drawn to your stories from the start, because they are all strange and interesting. Thank you for reaching out to your audience, it shows how much you care about what you create, and the exceptional effort you put into your work!
