Can You Watch This Without Getting Angry?

Why HN readers recommended it

HN links it constantly in threads on social media, polarization and outrage as the canonical explanation of why angry content wins.

This is a summary from the source dataset, not an endorsement by Hacker News or the video creator.

Video & recommendation details

Creator / channel

CGP Grey

Topic

outrage and memes

Format

explainer

Level

general

HN recommenders in dataset

6

HN mentions in dataset

20

Recommendation years in dataset

2015–2025

These counts and years describe the included Hacker News records; they are not YouTube views or the video’s publication date.

From the original HN conversations

Excerpts from the recorded comments. Follow each source for the full comment and surrounding discussion.

• Great TED talk on the original twitter kerfuffle referenced in the article: [LINK] CGP Grey's take on how outrage is used to exploit us through social media: (Yes, I link this often, because the message is valuable.) [VIDEO]

• Related, though less about brands, I really liked "This Video Will Make You Angry" by CGP Grey. [VIDEO] - Thoughts/memes as germs trying to reproduce and spread, battling for attention and thriving when people endlessly argue as part of an us/them dynamic.

• I looked back at your story a couple of times but couldn't figure out how the outraged attacks are being rewarded. I do feel like you might be on to something in how critical comments are often the most discussed. Think about how the single …