Enough with videos, let’s go back to text.

This is NOT going to be an extremely constructive piece of writing. Because it might just be me… But I am sick of videos!

I do not want to sit through 15-min of intro to get to the good stuff anymore. I do not want to have to suffer artistic-areodynamic-panoramic plans anymore. And the trendy-fancy-shumzy editing cuts. Or the forced smile of the 1467th take.

Oh, I understand the appeal. The siren call for what seems to be the noble medium of the internet.

Yes, it’s so easy to whip up your camera and start speaking. Yes, it’s immersive. Yes, it’s greatly customizable. Yes, it’s good for content creators because people are already spending years of their lives watching videos on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.

I do not suggest one bit we should never ever make videos again. But… let’s go back to text.

I did not come empty-handed. I have a few arguments to convince you.

Text respects people’s time.

You know what’s very cool about text? You don’t have to read it all. You can switch very easily from one sentence to the next. And find keywords, or titles, or the end of that endless story — so you can get to the stuff that made you click… QUICKLY.

YouTube’s 10 sec jumps don’t come nearly close to that.

Text doesn’t enforce its own pace.

When you are in front of a video, you are not in charge. The video dictates the speed. It will not stop to wait for you to catch up unless you pause it.

A text you can savor at your own pace.

Read it fast, read it slow.

Read the same sentence again.

Or not…

The reader decides.

Text is discreet.

It’s a politeness thing. It’s rude to watch videos in public without headphones.

It’s also a practical thing. If I’m chatting with my friends, and that it’s a lively debate, I do want to watch a video that explains a point. I’d rather have a quote. And keep on debating!

What’s more…

Text doesn’t need technologies.

It’s low-tech, by nature.

That means sharing it is easy.

Reproducing it is easy.

Making it is easy.

Storing it is easy.

It doesn’t need a good connection to load, and it’s readable on virtually any device. Even sheep skin…

Which makes it the best medium for your ideas to spread.

Text doesn’t care what you look like or what you sound like

Quality comes from the way you express yourself. And the quality of your ideas. Not your post-production tweaks.

And in that way, text also respects its authors’ point of view. It centers on ideas.

I have a couple more arguments up my sleeves, but they are all variations of this theme:

Text is an affectionate old lady with manners.

And it deserves a lot more space and respect in our digital lives.

I hope next time you want to share an idea, you consider quoting instead of sending a video. I hope next time you want to say something, you consider an article instead of a TikTok. I hope next time, you write.

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