Cost of Living How YouTube ate the world
Sep 26, 2025
Mikkel Skuderud, an economist from the University of Waterloo, dives into the implications of H-1B visa changes and how they could benefit Canada. He explains how a transparent immigration system is crucial for attracting skilled talent. The discussion highlights the potential economic boost from high-skill workers and warns against politicizing temporary worker programs. Additionally, the conversation touches on YouTube's dominance in media and its impact on attention, emphasizing the importance of Canada’s welcoming stance in a competitive global talent market.
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YouTube's Unrivaled Media Reach
- YouTube has grown into a dominant, multifaceted media platform reaching billions and replacing traditional TV.
- Backed by Google's ad infrastructure and optimizing for watch time, it scales content and attention globally.
A Young User's YouTube Habit
- Shahraj Ali says YouTube made up about 80% of his media diet and replaced regular TV for him.
- He uses it for hobbies, news, and winding down rather than paying for cable or streaming.
Algorithm Shapes What We Watch
- YouTube's algorithm optimizes for watch time, not just clicks, and that change reshaped content incentives.
- That watch-time focus produced creators like Mr. Beast and formats that command mass attention.
