
The first email I read yesterday morning was from YouTube, issuing yet another bogus āCommunity Guidelinesā strike and restricting me from the platform for two weeks.
The last email I read before bed was also from YouTube, this time agreeing that I didnāt violate shit and issuing a half-assed apology.


For the first time I can remember, they actually used the word āsorry.ā Not that I believe anything YouTubeās bots or bot-like humans say or write.
Frankly, after the past six months of constant bullshit, itās too little too late. So Iāve finally decided to take a little break from the platform.
YouTube seems to think itās a pimp and content creators are its hos.
That kind of āpartnershipā might work for some, but abusive, one-sided relationships just arenāt my cup of tea.
It's not me...it's you, YouTube.
Real partnerships are built on respect, fairness, and trustānot arbitrary strikes, bot-driven decisions, and endless hoops to jump through to prove youāre playing by the rules to a āsupportā team that provides no meaningful support.
YouTube may thrive on exploiting creators, but Iām not here to be anyoneās doormat.
A DAY OF REASONING + RECKONING
Between YouTubeās first and last email, I spent much of yesterday cussing and discussing the sitch with a dear friend. I also doodled and noodled on the various ways the platform has made me bitch, glitch, and itch over the past six months.
YouTube has been a lopsided rollercoaster for me: A few highs and a lot of lows.
Itās triggered more anger, frustration, grief, and sadness than I care to admit.
YouTube is the corporate equivalent of a schoolyard bully to me.
Long story short: I hate bullies and rollercoasters.
Good guys and merry-go-rounds are more my speed.
PROJECT āHEAL THE PAINā
So hereās what Iām doing to move myself forward:
Focusing on having more fun IRL and on Substack. Creating and curating is what I love doing. So doing my thing on a platform like Substack that respects me is important.
Switching Collide Press TV to Twitch. The āalways-onā stream is now availableāfor freeāon the popular platform. Wanna help me get monetized there? Please follow and watch the stream. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Taking a break from YouTube. Whether itās two days, two weeks, or two months, I need some space and time away from the platformās bullshit to heal and regroup.
Thanks for putting up with my bitching and glitching and supporting my work.
(As for the itching, letās just say YouTube aggravates every part and pore of me.)
For better and worse, standing up to bullies seems to be part of my DNA. While I donāt enjoy fighting, rolling over and ātaking it like a manā isnāt exactly my style either. I need to feel the love before thereās any pushing in my cushion. Ya dig?
I firmly believe in mutual respect. Those who treat me with it will get it back in spades. Those who donāt just might face my full fury and wrath. So I donāt recommend anyone fuck around and find out. Even I donāt enjoy being around me when Iām in a bad mood.
Instead, please stick around for whatās coming upā¦.new and next.
Hereās to more good guys and more merry-go-rounds.
Thanks for reading and subscribing!
Clint
TESTIMONIALS
Iām always grateful when paid subscribers choose to send/share kind messages when they upgrade. Here are just a few of my recent favorites:



Hope to include more words of encouragement in upcoming newsletters. Thanks! ā¤ļø
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
YouTube Changeā¦Ruined Many Channels (penguinz0) šŗ
This videoāfrom a year agoāillustrates how fucking ridiculous YouTube is.Twitter (And Threads) Have Made a Huge Mistake (hankschannel) šŗ
What the algorithm gods giveth, the algorithm gods often take away. Go, Bluesky!
ON THIS DAY = DECEMBER 3
BIRTHDAYS
1830 = Frederic Leighton = British artist š
1857 = Joseph Conrad = Polish-born British novelist
1927 = Andy Williams = American singer
1930 = Jean-Luc Godard = French-Swiss filmmaker
1948 = Ozzy Osbourne = English singer-songwriter
1955 = Michael Musto = American writer and culture critic š
1957 = Del Shores = American writer and filmmaker š
1960 = Julianne Moore = American actor
1968 = Brendan Fraser = American actor
1979 = Daniel Bedingfield = New Zealand-English singer-songwriter
1979 = Tiffany Haddish = American comedian and actor
1983 = Andy Grammer = American singer-songwriter
EVENTS
EVENTS
1910 = Modern neon lighting is first demonstrated by Georges Claude.
1960 = The musical Camelot debuts at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway.
1967 = Christiaan Barnard carries out the first human heart transplant.
1968 = Elvis, Elvis Presley's ācomeback special,ā airs on NBC.
1968 = Troy Perry officiates at what is thought to be the first public same-sex union ceremony in the US at Metropolitan Community Church.
1984 = Wham! releases āLast Christmasā as a single.
1989 = Mikhail Gorbachev and George H. W. Bush release statements indicating the Cold War is over.
1994 = Sony releases the first PlayStation in Japan.
2000 = The US version of Queer as Folk premieres on Showtime.
PHOTO + QUOTE OF THE DAY
āI guess darkness serves a purpose: to show us that there is redemption through chaos. I believe in that. I think that's the basis of Greek mythology.ā
Brendan Fraser
NEW + FEATURED
MORE FROM COLLIDE PRESS
Bluesky + Ko-Fi + Linktree + Shop
+ Storefront + Threadless + YouTube
I don't blame you and I like your Substack work better. Happy Holidays.
Clint, I do not mind the bitchin & glitchin. You're not disrespectful at them. Just indignant.
I'm not a creator. Just comments from time to time. And even there I am censored if not oh so sanitized. I sense a gynocentric/female chauvinist bias, as some comments are truly...weii...bitchy.
Anyway, I am not satisfied to simply vent. Transformation. People listen more if our language is gently respectful. Too bad the naked male form invites censure