Need for change
> TheMingThing is the first Malaysian channel selected as YouTube Creators for Social Change global ambassadors
thing’, you can’t eat that.”
While he believes there’s a use for functional videos like DIYs, makeup tutorials, and travel vlogs, he adds: “But when you’re talking about something that’s created just for the sake of entertainment, it’s getting tough.
“Some people use boobs, babies, puppies, for the formula to put in your thumbnail, so people will click.
“So there’s clickbait titles, and ... the recent Logan Paul thing that happened, like how far is too far for views?”
It’s an undeniable fact that social media wields immense power to influence the way we think, act, and speak.
Ming Yue said: “Every time we go for … social events and YouTube [related] events stuff like that, unfortunately, it’s not a conscious thing but conversations kind of gravitate more towards: ‘How big are you, how big’s your channel’?
“But when we were in London, and we were among the other Creators for Change from all around the world, there wasn’t any of that.”
It was a refreshing change, according to Ming Yue, who initially thought TheMingThing – with less than 490,000 subscribers – was going to be one of the smaller channels at the event.
However, he was pleasantly amazed to meet creators with only a couple thousand followers.
Ming Yue adds: “That was amazing because that means YouTube knew, and YouTube is putting a message out there that it doesn’t matter if you’re the biggest channel, it’s about your message.
“I want to be about the message, instead of just trying to be the biggest.”
Bryan agreed, saying: “It’s more of a social change movement, [and] this is the first time that Malaysia has a competitor in Creators for Change.”
TheMingThing’s initial mission to create more meaningful content resulted in the setting up of production house Core Studios in 2013.
Bryan said: “Some people think it’s easy, but actually, there’s a whole lot of behind the scenes work that you don’t see.”
“We tell them the honest truth,” added Ming Yue. “They want to earn money from what they enjoy doing. That’s the ultimate goal, right?
“And I think YouTube, and [TheMingThing] has become somewhat of a dream. It’s become almost like a ‘heaven and earth’ kind of job to some people.
“Like: ‘Oh, you get to have fun on YouTube, and you also get paid. So, how do I replicate that success? How do I replicate what you’re doing in my own life’?”
But once the reality hits, the three say that the only people who stay on are those who really want to do it because they’re passionate about creating.
As Ming Han puts it: “Not to crush dreams, but I think [it should be said], so they have a realistic view of what to expect, and we don’t tell them the glitz and glamour stuff.
“We really [ask them, are] you sure you can do this?”