The other day I happened to watch a video on YouTube not in my usual way and saw an ad there in the video for the first time in five years or so. Besides using a browser plug-in that block ads, I use another that blocks suggested videos. When I go to watch a video, I usually just see that one, not others.

Sure, others might be interesting, but there are billions of videos and other “shiny objects,” as I call them, that are interesting and I only have a few life priorities. As I wrote over a decade ago, You have to say no to a lot of good things to have a great life. Besides, the algorithms don’t try to attract you to what will improve your life but to what will improve their profits and market share, which I find conflict with my interests.

The surprise prompted me to write how I watch videos I find online, as well as listen to podcasts.

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I almost never watch videos I find online online. I download them using a browser plugin. I used to then watch them on my computer, but I found when I lost roof access that my phone uses significantly less power. Lacking roof access meant that getting electrical power took a lot more time, energy, and resources, so I scrounged to save power and energy.

I forget why I started watching not through the browser, but downloading offers several advantages. It uses less power, it lets me watch when I feel like it, it removes ads, and my computer’s video players do more than online ones.

Most videos I transfer to my phone. Even then I often listen only. For many videos, only the audio matters. I watch a lot of interviews for which the video doesn’t matter. Most C-SPAN videos fall in this catalogue, as to most TV shows. So I listen to a lot of videos.

Unless there is a compelling reason for higher resolution, I download videos at a resolution of 256×144. It’s fine for most purposes and the file is ten percent the size.

Also, I have my standard procedure to have no screens on while eating, so I listen to many videos while eating with the phone’s screen off. If something in the audio suggests images or animation worth watching, I can turn the video back on and rewind.

Also, I’m quicker to decide not to watch videos after downloading, when the motivation to watch may have waned and I find better uses of my time. The extra shift gives me a chance to reconsider if I feel that the video that seemed worth downloading is worth watching after reflection.

I recommend downloading and watching offline, not on your browser.

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