The Problem with Linus Tech Tips: Accuracy, Ethics, & Responsibility - eviltoast

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/3337820

cross-posted from: https://kbin.social/m/PCGaming/t/341789

This video is not monetized. This video covers our serious concerns regarding the data accuracy of Linus Media Group, including Linus Tech Tips, ShortCircuit, and TechQuickie, particularly as it relates to rushing content out the door to favor – by staff’s own admission – quantity over quality. As the company continues to expand into its LTT Labs direction, the importance of accurate data increases; however, even as ‘only’ entertainment, there are still certain responsibilities to the consumer and the manufacturers to report fairly (and to have defined corrections processes in place). We tried to approach this as objectively as possible and hope that viewers are able to listen to the evidence we present, particularly as it relates to significant and frequent data errors that now present in nearly every technical review video.

  • RyanXero@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    I’m on side there both dicks. Steve/GN make errors too, but we just don’t call him out for it because the GN team are only humans. Yeah Linus has a lot of employees. Yeah they need to work on integrity with their results, maybe adjust hiring practices to include knowledge of the topic they’re writing for. The Billet labs thing, they offered an Invoice, not a lawsuit so they decided their prototype had a price tag. If it was such a big deal, they should have sued LMG, but they didn’t. They also got a shit-ton of publicity at Linus’ expense, seems to me they got paid and free advertising, they won that one. GN needs to follow their own practices regardless of who or what the subject matter is, ALWAYS give the offender a chance to speak. What GN did is basically a hit piece. Kinda funny that only Gamers Nexus spoke out, the rest of the YouTube Computers/Electronics scene was totally fine with supporting him and coming to LTX. So either everyone in the industry is a shill or Gamers Nexus are not completely in the right here.

    • vegetarian_pacemaker@lemmy.ml
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      1 year ago

      I think you are missing out on the difference. Errors are made and that wasn’t the issue, the issue was not taking the time to properly correct and stop misinformation from spreading (comment not pinned, replacement of videos without notifying of the change, never ever taking down a faulty video). Not doing the right thing should and will have a negative impact on your reputation. If gamer nexus does the same, I would support every other channel that calls them out on that. Billet labs not suing isn’t proof that the way it was handled was acceptable. Billet labs seems to have taken the high road to try and move ahead of what is unacceptable behavior from LMG. I also disagree on the free advertising. Advertising is helpful if you have a product to sell, trashing the reputation by improperly testing simply because LMG cannot be “troubled” to do their job properly is indicative of bad management.

      LMG has two choices, either they stop calling themselves a real tech reviewer and go all in the “entertainment” genre or be accountable to be a respectable tech reviewer. GN rightfully pointing that out for no financial gain is what I consider a true friend moment. We all make mistakes, LMG has a rare opportunity to really reflect and decided to correct thanks to the efforts of someone that has the courage to call things out, especially given the clout LMG has in this space.

    • GameGod@lemmy.ca
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      1 year ago

      Steve/GN strikes me as the annoying guy who just waits you for you to make a mistake and then shouts GOTCHA and makes a video exposing why you’re an idiot to the world. There’s just this weird antagonistic tone/vibe I always get from Steve’s video. (IMHO LTT and GN are both great at what they do, and that’s why they’re both successful.)

      Edit: this is also a “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” situation. GN makes a 44 minute long video about this (lol) and I’m sure LTT will make at least one reply video. If they go back and forth, it’s just more content and clicks for both of them. Win win.