Interview A YouTuber: Dr. Jackson Crawford, Old Norse Specialist 

This conversation was a pleasure and I found myself really enjoying the re-listen. Matt you have a great talent as an interviewer and I'll look forward to more from this series!

You will occasionally see me looking off screen and you may hear the clacky-clack of my keyboard. That's because I'm taking notes! It means Dr. Crawford said something I thought was interesting and wanted to follow up with.

The genuine laugh Dr. Crawford got out of Matt with the “euro-trash electronica” quip gave me such a big smile

36:50 Dr. Crawford: "It's a video about the oldest book in Norway" Me: "Guess I'll check it out" Me: *Finds the video*, "Oh shit! That's Johanne, she was my mentor when i was working at the national library of Norway." Small world

I am gob-smacked. I have followed the both of you for about the same amount of time. 2016 That would be roughly 6 almost 7 years. My kids had asked me to DM for them and a group of friends. I decided to familiarize myself with 5e rules and chose the Norse culture and mythology for my setting. A few RU-vid searches brought the insights of two brilliant individuals into my game. The two of you are just as responsible, as myself, for what became the most epic campaign I have ever run. Thank you, both of you, for being the guiding inspiration to a table of 8 new players and one old school DM. Matt, I want you to know this as well, all eight of those players have become amazing DM's. Five of them now volunteer, with me, at the local game store. Once a week we run free to join, drop-in welcome, games for the public. Thank you for being a river to your people.

The color thing in the beginning reminded me instantly of the homeric phrasing of the "bronze sky" and the "wine-red sea". If we accept that, blue ravens aren't the weirdest thing.

I love the whole "Idk if this format will be popular for much longer" Convo. People used to sit in a town square for literal hours on end nearly everyday to listen to learned men converse/debate and have been doing that since the birth of civilization

This is like a planetary convergence. Well done, gentlemen!

Matt is now part of the Forgotten Weapons Cinematic Universe

56:50 "they paint these vast, dim horizons." What an amazing phrase.

I'm so glad you two finally had a chat like this. Years in the making. 😊

I have a passing interest in Dr. Crawford as "that accessible old norse guy." This was such a fascinating, down to earth conversation. I am so looking forward to more of these, you really have an ability to make an interview feel comfortable and open.

Dr. Crawford doing crossovers all over the place! First Forgotten Weapons and now Matt Colville.

And to me he's first known as one of the only (and best) online educator's on the Norwegian poet Olav H. Hauge, then later I found his RU-vid channel. Great guy!

I recall Matt talking about wanting to interview Dr. Crawford way back-- I don't remember the year but I'm pretty sure the RTG series was in single digits. So glad they finally got a chance to talk on RU-vid for our edification and entertainment. Creatives should never forget how inspiring engagement with topics like linguistics, history, etc. can be and what a positive effect they can have on your games, books, screenplays, and other works if you let them. It's one of my favorite things about Matt's particular brand as a RU-vidr and Game Designer.

I welcome any content that Matt Colville is excited to make. It comes across the videos and it's quite enjoyable, and in this case, informative!

To use something Matt once said about Vance, Crawford's version of the Poetic Edda is "fire, writ upon the page!"

I hope you continue this series! If possible, please have your interviewee record their audio locally! It makes such a big difference.

Great interview! Jackson is one of my favorite youtube personalities. Very knowledgeable. And his presentation style is so chill and relaxing--I wish I could speak like that. Excellent work, Matt.

The stars have aligned! I've worked in audiobooks and pronunciation research in the past, and Mr. Crawford was, hands-down, one of my most relied on sources. Super excited to give this a watch. Thank you both for making this happen!

Love Crawford's Poetic Edda!

What a super fun conversation! This was a blast to watch live. Thank you Dr. Crawford and Matt for this video!

Matt you're a great interviewer!

Damn. Never thought I'd be this early to a Matt Colville video! Awesome to see Dr. Jackson Crawford on the channel!

As someone from an academic background and a love for game design and this channel, its been an absolute pleasure to see this conversation and to be exposed to Dr. Crawfords Channel. Thanks Matt!

Pleasant suprise to see your interview. I have watched many...most of Dr Crawfords videos.

Norse stuff!!!!! I’m so happy! I have five sagas, the prose Edda, the poetic Edda, several books of myth, and a couple other books about Viking stuff. I once recognized a fragment in the Witcher 3 as an excerpt from the Lay of Vafthrudnis, and immediately went and found the section to show my wife. I was so proud. I love this stuff

“I will always feel like a White-belt…” is the essence of Zen: The beginner’s mind. It’s true for meditation, martial arts and anything technical… even video.

I absolutely love Dr. Crawford - his channel is so darn interesting

Very good conversation on both sides. Thanks for introducing me to Dr. Crawford.

The trouble yall had ending the conversation proved what the video suggested, there was genuine affection. Great first interview.

Watched the live stream. I loved how he teased you at times, specially on your musical taste. You had great chemistry

Im not deeply familiar with Dr Crawford or his subject. But this absolutely sold me. A nice relaxed coversation between interestig, modest guys

My two favorite youtubers. This made an otherwise lame day super awesome.

Interviews like this are a fantastic addition to the channel. I am looking forward to the future of this series. Thanks for putting this all together and sharing!

Thanks for this Matt & Jackson! This was a truly excellent interview, and I'll enjoy you both all the more for it, ongoing!

So great to see the stream up on RU-vid so everyone can see it. It's a great interview!

Very excited for this series! I loved your older d&d interviews, and Dr. Crawford was very interesting to learn about

the best crossover i never expected or never knew i needed thank you so much for this !

This was a good listen and would love to see more interviews on the channel. Also thanks for introducing us to Dr. Jackson Crawford!

Absolutely enthralling! I know you had your hand in this and don’t need me to tell you how good it is. I’m so inspired and hope I get the opportunity to work alongside you all after I graduate! (Just one more year to go!)

I love this two of my favorite RU-vidrs in one perfectly long video to watch while at work. 🎉 Chef's kiss. Thankyou both for such great quality content.

I absolutely love this series - phenomenal as always Matt. Thanks for doing your great work as a tastemaker as well as a creative and thoughtful human.

Glad the youtube audience finally gets to listen to this, it was great to watch live!

Excellent interview, I enjoyed a lot the dynamic and appreciate the range of questions, Dr. Jackson is always great to hear!

Thank you Matt and Dr Jackson Crawford. I look forward to more interview videos on this channel, any topic.

Oh wow. A Dan Carlin length video from Colville? Yes please! Now I've got another podcast like thing to listen to at work while I clean.

Great concept for a series/program. Like getting a song recommendation from someone who shares your musical taste. Of course, now the challenge is to find time to explore Dr. Crawford’s RU-vid content.

Great convo. Thank you, guys, for gifting us with such a great piece. It's worth every moment.

I agree with Mat. Jackson you seem very credible because you refer to people when is not your primary area (martial art, woodwork, archeology.. Ect) - your detached relationship from the topic - the focus on data This is my ancient culture and language and I feel you present it better than many local Danish sources (they even removed old norse from the Danish stude at Aarhus University. Tak for hjælpen med at bevare og genopdage. And Matt. This is awesome! Good idea having a look at RU-vid culture in general

This was a wonderful interview. Thank you so much for posting this!

This episode is amazing. Thanks for this upload and Prof. Crawford for coming on. Here's 2 of my favorites in one. Something I've learned about life. Everything is related.

I wonder if Matt would interview Irving Finkel. Or Adam Savage. Adam might be up for it.

Ohh so cool more!!! I got into his chanel from you, a couple of years ago on a q&a or live. I remember you said the scenary and the way he explains things wer so great… so i became a fan 🎉🎉🎉🎉

I want to say that it genuine enthusiasm that can somehow be felt through the screen that makes MC so engaging! Thanks for a very interesting and engaging video, can't wait for another of this type!

Favorite cross over youtube event ever. Well one of the many! Matt, I love this. hope you do more. I hope these videos gain traction!

This was a fascinating and entertaining talk. Thank you both.

Wonderful interview. Very cool conversation. It did what you hoped which is keep my interest and pique it enough to make me visit Dr. Crawford's page and see if any of his videos interest me more. I'd absolutely watch more interviews like this. Keep up the amazing work!

Now that you did Dr. Jacksin Crawford you should do Luke Ranieri from Scorpio Martianus / Polymathy next!

Absolutely loved watching this. It was a really interesting conversation. I cannot wait for more in this series.

Dude, this video is GOLDEN. I've been an English teacher and people have always said that my enthusiasm is infective, after COVID I've changed my job but there's always been a voice in the back of my head whispering to make RU-vid videos or something... And hearing you say that people want to fall in love and listen to enthusiastic people twisted my guts a bit. Anyway, once again, thanks again for your videos, rock on! Btw, if I may, make more "other RPG" videos, loved them so much!

This is a crossover I never expected and I love it. Enjoy both of your content.

I love both your channels, so what a treat this was!

This blew my mind! I've been following you both for years! Nice!

Two of my favorite RU-vidrs. Thanks for setting up this interview, Matt, this was fantastic. You’re an amazing interviewer! And thanks to Dr. Crawford for sitting down to talk!

What an amazing interview from two youtubers I have tremendous respect for. I didn't know these two had been in contact for so long! I've watched their videos for years!

Wonderful collab, and fantastic conversation!! I look forward to future interviews in this series!

Took a while since I watched this in parts, but I enjoyed the whole thing. Thank you for sharing this!

This mix is two of my absolute favorites of all time. Beautiful. 🙏🙏

ABSOLUTELY more of these interview videos. This was awesome.

Two of my favorite nerds on the internet. Thank you so much, both of you!

This is the type of conversation I like to eavesdrop on. There's plenty of space to breathe, good questions, some wondering. I'll definitely watch/listen again.

Thanks, Matt, this is a great (albeit surprising) addition to your channel. I hope these interviews become a regular thing.

This is awesome, we really need more of this! Great job as always :D

What an interesting conversation to have the opportunity to watch! Really fantastic!

Totally a dream come true. I've been a fan of Dr. Jackson Crawford for about six years now. And a fan of Matt for three or so.

That's amazing I watch Dr Crawford's channel and glad you get to interview him!

I'm so excited to see these two worlds collide. I have books from both of these men on my shelf. Awesome!

I like seeing this more journalist content from you, keep up the great work!

This was a lovely chat. I'd love to see move like this, and, heck, I'd love to see the two of you chat again. Thank you!

Yay Dr Crawford!!! So glad to see my two worlds cross over here. As a modern Heathen and Old Norse fan, I highly recommend his channel for anything scholarly and Viking related. Such a great resource on RU-vid.

Great seeing two of my favorite RU-vidrs collide, thanks for both of you being awesome.

What a fantastic conversation to get to watch. And it's cool to see Ian McCollum shouted out because Forgotten Weapons is a really excellent channel, even for someone who is very skeptical of American gun culture.

Loved this conversation! You should talk to Esoterica about having him on. Lots of great Occult goodies on that channel.

Great video! I look forward to more of these interviews.

two hours! so excited to watch!

This was wonderful and i would absolutely love more in this series.

As someone who became aware of Dr. Crawford's channel through this one (and who has had an interest both in linguistics and Old Norse language and myth long prior to consuming either channel), this feels a long time coming, and well worth the wait. Looking forward to additional interviews, as well.

I am so glad you got to do this I remember when you said you would love to talk to this guy

This was really delightful, I would love to see more like this.

Obviously I haven't finished this yet, but I did watch it live so I feel like I got all the good stuff. I'm still going to watch it again. I really love these interviews and I really want to see more of this stuff. I'll bet you could probably do one with Greg. I would love to watch you interviewing Natalie, too, but she is quite busy.

"People just wanna fall in love, and you just gotta give 'em an excuse to do it." 💛

I never really comment on videos, but I'm commenting just to up the engagement for this video to encourage more of these interviews to be made. This was great, thank you.

Love the video. Would love to see more videos like this.

In regards to oral tradition versus writing things down, I think your earlier conversation about Dr. Jackson’s skills with lecturing, and how Matt makes his reading of scripts appear so natural, and all the muscles and skills involved in that, point to another reason that oral tradition would be preferred. Culturally, they had the muscles for that well developed. And suddenly bringing in writing, and having to read from a teleprompter, so to speak, would have appeared lifeless and dead.

I love the idea of using RU-vid to create a community of folks that share similar interests. See you both talk about this seriously was inspiring.

This is so good, Matt. I'd very much like to see more of this! Curious to see who your next guest will be.

This was a wonderful conversation to listen in on. Thank you to Matt and Dr. Crawford.

Some of my fave people having a great conversation. This is an absolute delight!

Cool idea for a series!