YouTube clips get millions, billions of hits. Reality TV

O children of the future, listen well to the words of Alison Owen, for they carry with them the wisdom of the ages, tailored to our time: "YouTube clips get millions, billions of hits. Reality TV programs have their own channels. How can movies attempt to compete with these kinds of numbers? And do we even need to? Are we scaring ourselves by unnecessary comparisons, by not comparing apples with apples?" In these words, Owen addresses the shifting tides of our entertainment landscape, where new forms of media rise with unprecedented speed, and long-established art forms, like film, must confront an ever-changing world. She questions whether we are in danger of losing our way by comparing things that should not be compared.

At the heart of Owen’s statement lies the profound truth that comparison is often a fool’s errand, especially when we are comparing things that do not belong in the same category. The world of YouTube, with its millions and even billions of views, operates in a different realm than the world of cinema. The format, the audience, and the very purpose of these media are different, and yet we find ourselves asking, "How can movies compete with the sheer numbers of viral clips?" This question is both valid and misguided, for true greatness is not measured in numbers alone, but in impact and the depth of the experience we offer.

Let us reflect upon the ancient Greeks, who were masters of theater. In their time, the plays of Sophocles and Euripides did not have the mass audiences of today’s films or viral videos, yet their works were watched by entire cities, their stories shaping the very fabric of their culture. Sophocles, whose tragedies moved the hearts of his audience with tales of fate, honor, and suffering, did not concern himself with how many people could watch his plays at once, but with the depth of the story, and how it would resonate with the soul of each individual who saw it. In his time, it was not the size of the audience that mattered, but the quality of the experience they shared together. His success was found not in competing with other forms of entertainment, but in creating a lasting legacy that echoed through the ages.

In much the same way, Alison Owen’s challenge to compare apples to apples speaks to the wisdom of the past. To compare YouTube clips—short, easily digestible, and often fleeting in their content—with the epic storytelling of cinema is to misunderstand the nature of each medium. One is a tool for quick, passing engagement, while the other is designed to immerse the viewer in a longer, more complex journey. Like the ancient bards who sang stories of gods and heroes not for quick amusement, but for the sake of wisdom and reflection, movies still possess the ability to deeply engage the human spirit. But to compete with viral content based on sheer numbers alone is a misguided pursuit.

Consider the example of Michelangelo, whose famous work, the Sistine Chapel, required years of labor and immense dedication. In his time, this work was seen by fewer people than a modern viral video would be viewed in a day. Yet Michelangelo did not concern himself with reaching mass audiences. He focused instead on crafting something eternal, something that would stand the test of time. His legacy is not defined by how many viewed his art, but by how deeply it resonated with those who did. Greatness, O children, is not always measured by the number of people reached, but by the depth of the impact made.

This lesson speaks to us today. Film and television may not boast the immediate numbers that viral content or reality TV does, but that does not diminish their value or their purpose. Movies are designed to take us on a journey, to help us reflect on our humanity, to evoke emotions that stay with us long after the credits roll. They are crafted to stand the test of time, not to offer quick entertainment but to shape the very soul of society. We do not need to chase numbers, for true success lies in creating experiences that leave a mark on the heart.

Therefore, O children, let us not be led astray by the numbers that define popularity, but by the quality of the experiences we create, whether in art, work, or life. Greatness is not determined by how many watch, but by how deeply they are touched. Do not fall into the trap of unnecessary comparisons, for each medium, each form of expression, has its own power and purpose. And remember, the true measure of success lies in the lasting impact of your work, not in the fleeting attention of the masses. Seek not to compete, but to create something that matters—something that resonates deeply with those who encounter it. That, O children, is the path to true greatness.