The History of the Downward Spiral 

Don't you guys feel special?

a true statesman of youtube. Congrats emp

EmpLemon is the only youtuber that can make a 1 hour 40 minute documentary on himself without it being weird. Legend.

"Rusty Cage" is a song by Sound Garden. It was covered by Johnny Cash. Johnny Cash also covered "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails. "Hurt" was the final track on the 1994 Nine Inch Nails album... The Downward Spiral. (I only just now started watching this video, so I have absolutely no idea if this is already covered in it.) Surf Wisely.

There will NEVER EVER be another youtube creator like EmpLemon.

"Barney may have been forgotten, but I'll never forget him." Really goes to show that you can be remembered just by being nice to people. Hope Barney is doing alright wherever he is today.

Emp, thank you for the hours of rewatchable content. Your videos always leave me smiling and coming back for more.

I've been sitting with this video since watching it a few days ago. Been questioning how to respond or whether to just let it go. Obviously I decided to comment. Two things first. One, it's wonderful that you've chosen the path in which you highlight the things you love rather than always trying to torch the world. Lashing out at a seemingly indifferent world has its satisfaction, but it's a short lived pleasure. Ultimately it just eats you up. I've spent too much time myself, screaming into the void. It's just fucking exhausting when so much effort fixes absolutely nothing. Two, it must have really hurt facing so much negatively at such a young age. I understand how much of yourself you pour into your videos. I'm much older and the reasoning behind why I did them at all is completely different. But only those of us who have sweated out all the details of a project, spending hours after hours watching, rewatching, and editing to get it just right, understand how much effort it takes. It's a labor of love. I can only imagine how difficult it was having all that work shit upon. If there was any point in which I was part of that negative chorus (so many of those years I was in a pretty bad place, unaware of who I was hurting) I sincerely apologize. That said, after watching this video, I'm struck by how much hurt you're still carrying around. I see it on your face and I hear it in your voice. It manifests as anger, because anger is a much easier emotion to access. Take it from someone who spent years of his life being angry at everything and everyone without even being aware of it. It's a shield, an armor protecting you. It takes the form of rationalizing, defending at all costs, and laughing off past hurts as if they don't affect you when they clearly do. The therapy role playing certainly made for a good framing device for your video, but with respect I encourage you to actually find a professional to talk with if you haven't already. I can't overemphasize how much therapy helped, and continues to help, me to deal with my demons. It really kills me that there's still a stigma about seeking mental health. We're all struggling with something. And we all spend the majority of our lives coming to terms with our childhood. It would be funny if it wasn't so goddamn true. Your videos clearly show the work you put into them. They're a joy to watch. I usually save them for my lunchtime at work. Take care of yourself, Emp. cg

Wow. That was a really good watch. Hard to believe I listened to all nearly 100 minutes in one sitting, but it was really captivating hearing you retell your journey from the beginning to now. It's really made me rethink how I perceive making RU-vid content. Looking back on it now, I remember the wave of hate flooding your channel during the Sempsins era and I'm sorry that I contributed to that a bit. It's genuinely hard to give you a reason why I did, especially given that you were the one that brought my channel into the spotlight all the way back in 2014. I probably wouldn't still be here if it wasn't for your generosity in doing that and I'll be forever grateful. If I could speak on behalf of the YTP community, which I can't, I would apologise for putting you through all that. But, it was great to see you fight back against that and against what RU-vid itself went on to become. I mean, I still enjoy it here, but it's hard to argue that it hasn't changed from what it was. And the fact that after all that you went through, you still somehow came out on top is... admirable, Ackbar. Congrats on 1 million and thank you for all you've done :)

It's shocking how relatable this all is. From how after a certain point you feel like you're forced to create content based on what the viewers want rather than what you would watch, to how you can feel like you're on top of the world until it suddenly sinks before you notice it... too close to home.

this was a fantastic look into the history of the channel

"its almost like i came into this world right at the moment when everything started to go downward" i feel like this quote perfectly captures how this entire generation feels and damm every day it feels more and more true

I just wanted to let you know, I would have never started my channel if it wasn’t for your Dale Earnhardt video. I remember watching that, being blown away and wanting to throw my hat in the RU-vid ring. Every video you put out is better than the last. Your writing is some of the best on RU-vid. And I know so many creators are inspired by what you’re doing and only wish they could be half as good as what you’re putting out. You’ve managed to adapt and grow through good times and the bad. And with 12 years of experience, you’re putting out some of the best videos on the platform that will be looked back on as some of the greats. Congrats on the million man, it’s well deserved

TRUST ME, that Downward spiral is still there, you are just far away form it, and when it gets closed, it will be BIGGER AND HUNGRIER Seriously Emp, all the respect for this video. This is how I felt back in the day, at the start and now, it feels so nice to share something similar to someone, yet so different for how things happen. I remember when I found your channel and, even if you don't make youtube poops anymore, the escenes is still there. Your "Bitching" Era, when you made the "enough is enough" dude, what a gold but I can see what happened! BTW, Rusty as a Psychologist is the most surreal thing I've ever seen

Just wanted to say that you’ve been a huge part of what inspired me to start reviving my own channel. I too was getting a fraction of the views, negative sub growth, and feeling hopelessly demotivated. When I came across your new content and saw how far you had come with it, I knew there was hope for me too. Thanks Emp

"When you're in a downward spiral. There's no escaping it. So might as well aim for the bottom." -Emplemon 2022.

The Downward Spiral isn’t about spiraling down the hole, it’s about infinitely crawling and clawing your way to make sure you don’t fall farther.

BarneyIsPerverted is truly a hero, the true reason EmpLemon exists.

My introduction to your channel was the NASCAR revenge video. Watched it on a whim, and it began a journey through which I fell in love with Nascar all over again for the first time. I decided to stick around. If someone can so enthusiastically influence my interests, I have to see what else they're passionate about. I'm just seeing this video today, and it gives me a lot to think about. I never got to see your old ytps, or if I did, I wouldn't be able to recall that they were yours any longer. I held no allegiances to channels when it came to ytps. I just had my favorites and never attached a name to any. I'll always remember spingebinge or hank of the hill, but I'll be damned if I know who made em.. Regardless, I'm just a bit disappointed I missed the opportunity to offer you any kindness during that time. I hope things are and remain better. I know you'll likely never see this, if your attitude on reading comments remains(wouldn't blame you), but I suppose I want it said anyway. I love your celebrations of greatness. I gained a new respect for hbox for instance. Never really paid him any mind prior, not for anything negative, just lack of interest. But you have so many interesting videos on people pursuing their chosen brand of greatness, and it's very inspiring. With so much negativity surrounding people anymore, your showcases of strong people showing what willpower can accomplish serve to remind us that you can still have a special slice of the future that was of your making. I hope you find nothing but fulfillment and success with your work.

Hey man, I feel like you're not giving yourself enough credit at some points here. When YouChew turned us new YTP people away, you were the one that took on the initiative to start up a group. I feel like you did for me what BarneyIsPerverted did for you. You collaborated with me and brought in a ton of people into your own group and forged ahead positively through all of that. I was intimidated to be a part of your group but from talking with you, I truly knew that you were in it for the fun over everything else. That's when I started enjoying making videos the most because I realized that I can make whatever I feel like and that the only views that I care about are from the people that actually care about my well-being. The friends and good people are the best part of YTP for me. Everyone has their breaking point, and it really made me angry that after our group had distanced from YouChew and tried our best to stay out of RU-vid's bad side that you would get dragged right into the middle of all of the stuff that you were trying to avoid and more. I knew that you were a good person and it was sad to see the toxic side of the internet start to mold you into something that I believed that you were not at your core. While it may not seem like it based off of his track record, EmpLemon is very nice, has a talent for words and can be very diplomatic. When I saw you start to channel this and shut out the hatred, I knew that you were going to succeed. In a place that rarely gives second chances, I'm glad that you that you got your second wind and flew with it. As far as I am concerned, I think that EmpLemon is on a downward spiral and has lost it completely. For what it is worth, best luck on your future success. Cheers

Thanks for sharing your story. I found your channel fairly recently all things considered when The History of the World's Highest Jump popped into my recommended. After checking out more of your channel the Dale Earnhardt video nearly left me in tears and i wrote a.. perhaps slightly cringy email to you about how much your work inspired me. I come from a pretty similar origin to you, but replace RU-vid poops with speedrunning and replace RU-vid with Twitch. I've seen it all grow from the ground up, how things have changed over time. It's certainly been a ride. One thing i can't say we have in common however is how turbulent your channel has been in terms of direction, style, tone and types of content you put out. It's very inspiring to see you push yourself through several droughts, creative confusions, demonetization and more. Your channel is the epitomy of what i call a RU-vidr. Starting off from humble beginnings just doing what you love, to where you are now. Congrats on the mil.

emplemon, cartoonlover98, cs188, hoffy, awfulfawful, and many others shaped my childhood with amazing ytps thank you for reminding me of simpler times

The idea that people were upset about green Simpsons and you still stuck with it is fucking badass because it’s literally your signature thing and one of the coolest things about your channel

EmpLemon's arc of going from a bitter meme hipster to a passionate documentary creator is so well told here, it's simple but it gets done so well

"12 years of trying, 12 years of frustration..." You ever want to know if someone is a NASCAR fan? Just hang around em long enough and eventually they'll throw out a reference like this completely unconsciously 🤣 Great video man, it came from the heart ✊

I do believe in you emp. My dad loved dale and he's got dementia now and we watched your video about Dale Earnhardt and he remembered everything for a while and I thank you for that.

Bro you literally made my childhood with your YTP’s back then, and now your documentaries are aging with your audience. You’ve still got a long road ahead of you!

The behind the meme video was the first one I saw. What struck me the most to this day is the passion. It wasnt some guy putting on a character there was something so genuine about it that has carried through to the rest of your content.

Honestly, this is the most fitting way Emp could have possibly celebrated 1,000,000 subs. Congratulations, man.

The Downward Spiral never ends. RU-vid is in an Endless Calamity.

Congrats on the million subs. This video is indeed a career retrospective, but I want to remind you that, like, dude, you're only 24. As far as I'm concerned, you're still in the first third of your videomaking career. If your quality of work continues to evolve beyond what you were able to demonstrate with Never Ever and your current output, then I'm super excited to see what your videos are gonna look like when you reach Anthony Fantano's age. If you could sell me on the intricacies of NASCAR, then you could probably sell me on anything. Don't work yourself into an early grave, take breaks, and always remember that your passion for the topics you cover will always trump what the audience wants you to do instead.

Emplemon, when you said you wanted to be a reason youtube didn't suck, instead of talking about why it did. It really resonated with me. And I think you hit the mark with that goal. I got here after the youtube poop phase was over (Which is a shame cause YTP's were some of the first things I saw on this site) but I'm very glad I stuck around.

RU-vid nowadays might pander to corporations and established celebrities, but people like Emplemon remind us of the site's golden years and talented creators. A time where we would have fun posting what we created and share what we liked.

i've been on the youtube game for almost a decade and the whole story is relatable. especially the copyrights

This video just summarized everything i felt during the 2017 adpocalypse. Thank you man❤

I really like that empLemon doesn’t care about his audience. Parasocial relationships are creepy and Id rather an artist create things what THEY like.

The amount of nostalgia I've felt watching this is inmense. I've been a fan of yours since 2012-2013 and been part of your audience for the entire trip. I used to love your RU-vid Poops. Even the ones people called out for being mediocre or not good enough. It came to the point where I didn't even understand why people were bitching about it. I found it entertaining and worth my time. Seeing you start that downward spiral and, paradoxically, watching you grow was something actually good to see. You had all the right to be angry at the toxic audience you had, and to be honest, I'm glad you did. I'm sorry you have felt like you didn't have us when you needed us. I felt like perhaps you weren't that active to check your comments back then. So, the fact that you actually spent that time doing so actually made me happy. Back then I wasn't sure if my feedback was heard. Now I do and I'm glad :) This said Emp, I'm very very incredibly proud of what you have accomplished until now. Be proud of yourself for not giving up as well. Time has eventually given you the opportunity to flourish to victory and that's something worth admiring Thank you for this almost decade of content. This is for another decade. Cheers 🍻

anyone who thinks being a youtuber/influencer is a dream job should see this. relatable stuff, gratz on the mil

emp i just wanted to say thank you, i no longer make videos because of a lot of the frustrations you’ve mentioned here. so many of the ups and downs of your journey i related to. and it’s an experience few other people understand, even most youtubers present today weren’t around during those early years. so watching this was incredibly therapeutic, thank you.

RU-vid’s original slogan spoke to me so much that I’ve been trying to make films interesting enough for people to want to watch. The idea of “Broadcast Yourself” is so interesting that anyone could make videos, quality or not, and find an audience that might wanna stick around to watch more of your content. The only change I agree with RU-vid is them getting rid of that slogan because they DO NOT live up to that idea now.

It blows my mind that all these YTPs I was laughing my dumbass off were produced by somebody so young. I don't know if that means your humor was very advanced or my brain was regressing

12 years of trying, 12 years of frustration. EmpLemon has come to the golden flag to win his million subscriber button. Here's to many more. Been here since the YTPs and stayed for so much more.

Watching, or rather listening to this, felt like a journey by the time it was over. Emp, you’re an inspiration. Whether it’s YTP, RU-vid in general, or whatever, you’ve had many trials and tribulations and yet you’ve grown a better person through them. I’ve been a fan of yours for nearly a decade and I’ve seen you evolve, and it’s truly inspiring to me. Don’t stop, keep going.

"im sensing a lot of anger from this time period" "yeah" "and how did that make you feel?" "angry"

I don't know if you'll read this, EmpLemon, but to me, you represent what a RU-vidr should strive to be. Someone who creates the art they desire to make while putting all the heart and soul they can muster, and someone who always sees right from wrong in that department. You're truly an inspiration to me, even though I'm not someone who regularly puts out content. Keep it up.

Welp, add another RU-vidr to what appears to be an ever-growing list of folks commenting how spot on this story was in so many different ways. Keep doing what you love, whatever it may be - that's the only thing we really have control over.

I found out about your channel through "The Art of the Choke" I watch a lot of sports documentaries. I work a retail job that gets really really slow during the off season, so I put something on that will stimulate my brain while I play my switch to make the time pass. I enter some sort of Zen mode...anyway, what I love about your videos is they're nice and beefy. Like 30-90 minutes long. I saw this 100 minute video and my eyes got big...I had no fucking idea that I was going to get your whole career background in one video, that was a wild ride, man! I'm glad that you stuck with it, and now it's paying off. I'm beyond inspired by your work, and I'm happy to be subscribed.

I have always loved you ever since you made the uncredibles I always stick around and loved your abrasiveness during the complaint era and your video on Dale Earnhardt made me emotional too, it's been a hell of a rollercoaster, emplemon

As I’ve said before, Emp is one of the most prolific storytellers on this platform. He and Internet Historian are probably the two best I know of. And that still applies to Emp telling his own story.

very inspiring to hear all that, especially after following your journey for all those years

Yo I just wanna say Emp has always been a real one. He gave me permission to rip Never Ever to put on Blu-Ray for my uncle when he was sick. That meant a lot.

I'm a 45 year old man who has been deep into technology since I was a kid. I was on the Internet in the early to mid-90s, when almost no one else used it besides college students and people who worked for universities and scientific institutions. It's funny to hear you call RU-vid in the 2010s "the Wild West." My perspective is, it was already in a massive downward spiral then. Using the Internet used to require intelligence and dedication. You had to learn a certain skill set. There were no colorful buttons to click on, there were no "streaming services." The World Wide Web existed, but it was pretty spartan, and teenagers like me at home were on dial-up modems, so the only real content to consume was text. You could download a picture and look at it later and save it, but it wasn't the huge billboard it has become. Your main interactions were typing, and having to read what was typed to you. It will sound snobbish, but it's true: the Internet was better when there were less people, and more of them were intelligent. Huge corporations hadn't taken over, billions of dollars weren't being made and spent, and a large percentage of the people who kept services running were either volunteers or doing it as part of their job at an institution. Now, anyone with an IQ over 80 can somehow get online, and we're all exposed to what they have to say. I've seen some of your recent videos, and I'm glad you're making the content you are. You have risen out of the "swamp" and gone on to be a great creator of content (your recent video on choking is Emmy-award-level, in my opinion. I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me.) But for ever EmporerLemon, there are thousands upon thousands of people who are choking up what used to be a largely free and collaborative communications platform for smart people, and using it for memes. And choking up platforms with their 180-character thoughts (because 180 characters is apparently the attention span of your average doofus these days.) It's horrible, and it started way before you were ever online. And it's heart-rending. The Internet is now a billboard for morons. If I had to pin it on something, I'd guess it's money. Once buying and selling stuff (or, selling personal data gained from using "fReE sErViCeS") became the main reason people developed "the web", it was all over... and only a matter of time. Thanks for the video.

It's kinda nuts how a video-hosting website ends up shaping and determining culture in the way that it does. Good, bad, or ugly, it's just fascinating.

Emplemon himself has never been on a downward spiral. The spiral's been trying to pull him in for years, but he keeps climbing back up. He is the mythical _upward spiral._ Much respect, my man.

i never comment. and i’m not of the type to say things lightly. so for whatever it’s worth, i really, truly mean it, with all my heart, when i say that this video changed me. it feels like a stepping stone in my life. it just feels so very important. i am touched by your experience, and i gotta say that that final statement of aiming for the bottom was so powerful it brought tears to my eyes. i know this is not about me at all, and i know that you uploaded this many months ago and have probably shifted your attention to other things. but i just felt the need to congratulate you on your journey so far, and to deeply thank you for being here, and telling your story. it was masterfully made, and i strive for that. i’ve been watching for some time, and i really hope i can keep doing so for as long as you keep at it. it is always great stuff hope you are doing well, and cheers again on that milestone, i think it’s very well deserved

Was kinda surreal watching Supereyepatchwolfs latest video, and then this one back to back. Talk about getting some in depth personal insights into two different youtube careers, fascinating to hear the similarities and the differences. Keeping this video so minimalist in comparison to your other stuff was truly special and sets it apart. Your confidence in the pacing and dramatization in your writing, and delivery of your narration, is well placed and admirable. Top work.

I think I and every youtuber knows the downward spiral like an old bully that shows up every few years. You remember it exists, and just as soon as you think they're gone they reappear and ruin your day or week. You can't escape it, and it's constant Great video and thank you for all your years of great content!!!

Yes, I would love to hear green man talk about the power of the downward spiral for an hour and a half. Why did you think otherwise?

Congratulations on a million subs Emplemon! Your longer documentary style videos on obscure topics are what makes your channel unique and that's what keeps me coming back to watch your stuff. All the effort you put into your videos clearly shows in the end product. Keep going! I've watched enough youtube to know that subscribers really start to snowball after 1M. You'll be hitting 5M by 2025 for sure and i'll be watching every upload along the way! With millions of content creators on RU-vid it's hard to be unique, but you truly have carved out your own niche on the platform that no one else occupies. All you have to do now is lean into it and double down.

You are what made RU-vid so special as a platform when I was growing up. I had never watched any of your content before tonight and stumbled onto your Art of the Choke video and loved it. Logically, I clicked on your channel for similar content and didn’t find it. Instead, I found this radically different video and watched it start to finish with no context. That feeling of clicking a video or channel and ending up somewhere you didn’t expect to is what separates this platform from others. I love your story and glad you stuck around long enough for me to find my way here. In some ways hearing the entire story entirely in retrospect is a very interesting perspective.

man, the story of your beginnings in the YTP is very familiar to me. even though I uploaded YTP videos in Spanish (we call them YTPH, RU-vid Poop Hispano). Although I haven't uploaded videos for a few years, I have plans to return, but only when I can enjoy making them again and not just because of the pressure of pleasing an audience.

Emplemon is truly one of the legends of the internet now. Not quitting was always the right choice, being immortalized in cultural memory of such a huge community is worth it

Just to let you know that someone out there appreciated it, Frying Nemo is still one of the funniest pieces of media I've ever seen.

I remember watching your videos off and on in the YTP area, and finding your channel again in 2016/2017. I vividly remember listening to your Meme Theory video while I was out landscaping one hot summer day. I think you make fantastic videos and the direction you took yourself in is all the more inspiring. Thank you for all your hard work!

I’m sorry that I’ve been a silent viewer that didn’t speak up when you needed it. I’ve been an avid fan since 2015, and loved everything you’ve uploaded since and before. Only a few select creators stand as the best on this site to me, and you’ve surprisingly become one of them and grown as my favorite. You helped made me realize how much I love this site and its genuine creators, and surprisingly created fantastically written and presented stories that knew how to grab my heart like no other videos. It has been quite a fun and emotional journey. Thanks.

I remember when you kept yelling at me; *"CAN YOU UNSUBSCRIBE!?"* But I didn't, couldn't, wouldn't... You've always been one of my favorite RU-vidrs. Through your spongebob phase, to Disney phase, to sub trimming phase, to now. You're awesome man! Also fuck RU-vid.

Hey Emp, I joined some of your collabs back when I was a more naive person and wow it's amazing how far you've gotten on this platform ever since. RU-vid can truly be a crapshoot when it comes to breakthroughs in popularity and copyright takedowns which are all too familiar in the ytp scene, but it's great that you've used that and made it into something great.

I wasn't around for your YTP era, and to be honest, if I was, I probably would not have watched, but here I am. Your video essays are the best I have seen and I hope you continue for as long as you are interested. Thanks, EmpLemon.

To think I've been here for just about every step of this madcapped adventure of yours for the past 8 years, Emp. Since 2014, I never stopped watching and I'm still amazed at all you've accomplished in your craft and how you've grown and changed and blossomed into a truly interesting content creator. Congratulations on 1 million subscribers, mate.

your Dale Earnhardt video is so absolutely amazing, the nascar community loves your work, if you ever find a topic in nascar you'd enjoy diving into or covering again we would support it through and through

You are one of the few RU-vidrs that makes me stop in my tracks when I see a video in my feed and immediately watch it. 🐐 I found your channel I through the Uncredibles. I used to make YTPs back in the day (dif channel) and used to love your stuff. Keep up the great work and I eagerly look forward to whatever you decide to upload in the future 👑

This video is a little underrated imho. I honestly enjoyed every minute of this, thank you for sharing your story/experiences as a RU-vidr. I'm currently a writer myself, "chasing the dream" and a lot of what you said really resonated with me. The ending was really inspiring as well. Being a creative type really is like having an itch you can't scratch unless you're doing what your heart and gut tells you to do. Regular jobs can't and won't ever cut it. Anyway, I'm sure you'll get more viewers on this as time goes on, but thanks again for this and for the content.🤝✌️

The saga of EmpLemon is just our collective stages of grief being on RU-vid since the early days. An entire generation watched this, he lived it.

Listened to the entire thing. After the journey, the rebellious stuff, all the hopes and dreams and frustration, and emp's thoughts on where he is now, all I could think was... *There will Never Ever be another RU-vidr like Emplemon*

congrats emp, i dont think i've ever commented on one of your videos but like many others ive been watching since your legendary ytps they really do hold a special place in my childhood they gave me so many laughs and still even to this day you continue to make amazing content from the heart if anyone deserves that big number its you. never stop being great emp

This is the origin story we needed. You're the only creator I know with this much of an in-depth understanding of this horrible site.

To add to the chorus of voices here, I greatly respect your work and envy your impressive editing and storytelling ability. I hope you continue to have passion for creation and maintain success in it.

This is a rough watch I see myself at a lot of points in this self reflective journey, I've been in commentary/drama since about 2013 for context. it's hard and I won't lie I got a lot of those moments right now that make me say this youtube thing isn't worth it. The point about drama videos, the months of unhealthy metrics, the doing things for others not yourself. I've been there, I am there, I remember I started watching you when you did the behind the meme video I really respect your insight, it's help to form my insights professionaly. Lord the point about maybe it's time to get a conventional job hits hard. I got over 100k in student loans I'm staring down that barrel right now so I need to make a very hard choice. Right now I'm not ready to go gently in the internet long night but it's helpful to know a creator I respect had similar things as well. I also respect your advocacy for the platform whether or not it made a difference so many creators would rather sit down and ignore the issues. Basically thank you Emp, bless up king congrats on a million it's nice to see someone who isn't a megalomaniac reach the gold.

Emp, I've been a fan since 2012, I was there when you uploaded the uncredibles, I was there when you got tired of ytps, I was there when you complained about complaining, I was there when you went after behind the meme, I was even there when you were apparently struggling the most in 2017, I've been here this entire time, being a fan of you has been one of the most proudest things to be a "fan" of. It's been a while ride of which I've enjoyed much to your anger. Of all the near thousands of youtubers I've watched over the course of being on youtube since 2006, I've never met a youtuber that I've genuinely stuck with since their beginning and actually stayed with them, especially when they attempt to "sanitize" their content, similar to how you did with the RU-vid Geographic and vices such as. I can't put it better than I can this way, you are to youtube as nirvana was to rock. Embrace your downward spiral but don't shotgun yourself like Kurt. Whether or not you have a predetermined "destiny", you have something a majority on this site can't say they have. You have talent.

I used to watch a lot of your videos way back when you were mainly making YTPs, I always thought they were pretty funny personally but I never even knew about all of the drama that was happening around you. I just remember one day when you first started doing more analytical content and I think you execute it so well, so i'm glad you have found something that you feel passion in making again.

Love that even in real life Emp is tinged highlighter green. Didn't notice until the zoomed out view where you can see Rusty's office contrast with Emp's glowing lime table. What finesse.

This video is not just an EmpLemom retrospective but a RU-vid retrospective. With RU-vid being such an influential part of my life this video means a lot. Thank you Emp.

It's weird, because I remember all these eras of your channel happen in real time. At the time, I didn't really understand why the platform was changing around me, but I've always enjoyed the content you've made. Somehow, my tastes changed as your content changed, or maybe I just liked it all. It was a profound experience, seeing both your channel and the platform transform in front of my eyes, and I'm glad I got to be here for it. I hope that in the next few years, the downward spiral will continue to be as interesting as it has; and I hope all of us get to stick around for it.

Emplemon is one of the RU-vid greats and this video really solidifies his spot. I look forward to the many years of great content Emp creates going forward.

It was so strange that attacking a smaller YTP maker was the downfall of one of the bigger YTP makers out there

This is such a passionate and vulnerable video. I truly think you’re the best creator on the platform and this video is very intimate one that I’m sure a lot of people appreciate. Thank you, Emp. I’ve watched your videos at my highest and lowest points and I come back for “the heart.” Thank you.

hey man I started watching you back in the ytp days as a kid. you've been making amazing content bro I really love all your stuff. congrats on a million

As a viewer who has literally come from your newest video before this, I'm completely amazed with the fact that you were able to convey your entire 12 year journey on this platform with such character growth and development. I'm glad you made this video so any new viewers coming into this channel can immediately get invested in your story and who you are as a creator. You've definitely made a subscriber for life outta me and can't wait to see what you create next.

❤️❤️❤️ thanks for the memories emp ❤️❤️❤️

There is no greater milestone video than a Man who just sits down for nearly 100 minutes to just lay out his story, the pure heart of it all coming through you when you just peel away at the editing, I've been here since before the Pixar poops and I've stuck it out through the spiral, we're not going anywhere but up! Thanks for still kicking and creating engaging content, Emp, you're a true phoenix.

This is truly an amazing documentary. Even if its just your voice, its engaging from start to end. Thanks Emp

Took a week before I had the time to watch this video yet it was definitely worth it. I feel like if I were to type out my thoughts and feelings behind all that I'd be hitting keys all day and like you mentioned in the video it's unlikely you'd even see this comment. So I'll keep it short and say that yes, the effort you put into making your videos is very much noticed and yes, the times you speak out about topics like RU-vid going downhill you are saying what us little people are thinking yet are too insignificant to make a difference alone. For me your channel is that reminder that RU-vid once was about making what you thought was cool and showing it off to the world and that some youtubers do still genuinely care about the platform and it's community. Yet the way you create your content makes me want to tune in every time not because it's a rant about something or another part of the Never Ever series yet because it's an EmpLemon video. Thanks for the content you create for us. There may always be haters in the crowd trying to boo you off yet that's just fame in general. Behind all the hate is a number of people that understand that this content is for free and we live in a time where people are making well-polished, feature length videos for us to enjoy and all we have to do is click.

We must defend this man at all costs. EmpLemon is one of the most intellegent pioneers of RU-vid. I've been watching Emp's content since his YTP era and have stuck with him through and through. Knowing the turmoil that many RU-vidr's like Emp have faced on this platform, I have nothing but respect to this man. Depite the many hardships, he never gave up and I'm glad that Emp is getting the attention and love he deserves. If EmpLemon was to be elected as a representative of all RU-vidr's, I wouldn't have it any other way. Here's to a hopeful future on RU-vid.

Don't ever quit. Your videos inspire so many people, of so many places, in so many ways, some of which are extremely different from youtube content creation, that I do believe not even you has any ideia of the amplitude. Congrats on the 1 million subs, man.

Been a subscriber to yours for 16 years. Absolute incredible change. It's wild to me how much you've changed and how your videos went from poop to some insane Jon Bois esque documentaries. I will say one thing you've always been is high quality

Recent subscriber here (sometime this past year I think) I subscribed based on your "current era" videos. When I have spare time I'll go back through your old YTPs, it was definitely something I would've liked at the time, I just hadn't found it, so I'm looking forward to seeing this time capsule of jokes. Just wanted to share that I value your presence, thoughtfulness, and line delivery. Just one of these elements being off turns me off to a channel, but you've somehow made me interested in listening to long form videos about topics I had never batted an eye at before. Don't underestimate your ability to storytell, keep growing your talents and success will find you wherever you are.

Interesting, we have similar ups and downs, which I suppose are universal but very different starts on RU-vid. Its interesting to see how far channels come, and how they eventually extinguish themselves also knowing that eventually it'll happen to me as well. Rage against the dying of that light amirite?? lol also something to takeaway, I've had people literally argue basic science in biology with me. People will love to rile you up

I actually liked the green tint. As a kid, we often accidentally play around with the picture settings and be unable to set it back to normal. The green tint is something I'm so familiar with. That said, I remember BarneyisPerverted. I found you through him, funny enough.

I've watched Emplemon for years, I can't pinpoint what exact date but absolutely long enough to have really seen his growth, and I've honestly enjoyed every part of each "rendition" of Emplemon, I remember watching the "empty subscribers' video and genuinely finding it really engaging, and now being at a point seeing Emp struggle and crawl and express real frustration in his platform and in his own way is really interesting, and I gotta say I find his content now, especially Never Ever to be some of the absolute best content I've ever watched on the Platform. Seeing the idea of "The Downward Spiral" evolve and grow has been an experience I find really rare in a lot of media, and it comes from a very honest and vulnerable place, and to have Emp be this vulnerable and honest like this I find to be genuinely incredible. It speaks so much to his character and his attitude about this whole site to really be open like this and I think it's something not a lot of people can do in this same capacity. Emp's resilience really helps represent how serious he is about how he feels growing up on youtube. I hope he finally gets to enjoy the recognition for the quality of the work he puts in, he really deserves it.

I remember seeing your channel years ago at a friend's house. Much like you described, we watched your YTPs for hours and laughed our asses off. It was funny to us because haha loud noise go brrr, but after that I took an interest in your channel and I continued watching your YTPs. Over time, I guess I kinda forgot about you and your channel. But during quarantine, I rediscovered your channel only to find that you had moved on from YTPs and started video essay content, which I loved and I gained a newfound respect for you and your channel. As a youtuber myself, I resonate with the message here. I remember being a kid in middle school and trying to just have fun and make the videos I wanted to make, but people both IRL and online did everything they could to take that away from me. The difference is that I surrendered, and privated all my videos from my old channel. I looked back on it with shame and regret, like I had wasted my life on something that would never bear fruit. But I never realized that the real gain of my RU-vid channel was the fact that I enjoyed making the videos in the first place. I'm much past middle school now. I'm in university and giving RU-vid another shot, for better or for worse. I've since made public my old videos and look back on that era of my life much more fondly now. I realize that I'm much like you: someone who wanted to have fun and had to go up against dickheads who want to take it away from me. Well, what else is new really? This site is always pushing me out and pulling me back in, and all I can say is that I'm here for it. The only thing that's for sure about RU-vid is nothin's for sure.