“What are you getting out of this?” is a question put to me in the comments of one of my Facebook pages.
The post to which he was referring was a post featuring my video about the “Quinn Country” documentary series broadcast on RTE.
The short answer is “nothing”. There is nothing in it for me.
The more nuanced answer is that I get a few things out of it, and similar videos.
Firstly, I get to make a video voicing my opinion about something. My opinion is as valid and as valuable as the next citizen’s, and I am entitled to voice it if I choose. I do make this choice from time to time and publish opinion type videos on my YouTube channel.
I firmly believe it is a healthy thing to do in a democracy and in a Republic. In fact, I believe it is important.
Secondly, I may grow my YouTube subscriber base and increase my number of followers online.
If I do, well and good. If I don’t, so be it. I will continue to express my opinion.
I may lose as many subscribers as I gain but that is a price I am prepared to pay.
Opinions matter, words matter, voices matter. Especially nowadays when there are so many malign actors popping up all over our society like a virus. Malign voices spreading hate, xenophobia, racism, misogyny, homophobia, etc.