# Is there anything you can't learn how to do from YouTube? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 9, 2014, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-you-cant-learn-how-to-do-from-youtube/690423 "2014-06-09T18:04:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-you-cant-learn-how-to-do-from-youtube/690423/1 "2014-06-09T18:04:58Z")
It amazes me the impact YouTube has on my hobbies and curiosities now. I can’t think of anything you couldn’t learn how to do in at least a beginner/intermediate level. Can you? Just in the past couple months I’ve watched how to vids on: How beekeepers harvest honey How to measure for curtains How a pro photographer sets up to do Sr portraits How to install a window How to weatherstrip doors How to measure fabric for a quilt How to use a pressure cooker How to write with a glass pen How to build cheap shelves I remember when you used to have to take a class or know someone who knows already. It’s miraculous! Is there anything that’s still a mystery, future lost art? ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-you-cant-learn-how-to-do-from-youtube/690423/2 "2014-06-09T18:17:46Z")
I’m pretty sure that many activities such as snow skiing, snow boarding, driving a car, etc. one could not learn to a beginner or intermediate level, by just watching a video. ---
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-you-cant-learn-how-to-do-from-youtube/690423/3 "2014-06-09T18:26:55Z")
[Beginner snow skiing](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2zESNSSckA&feature=youtube_gdata_player) I think I could learn enough via video for me to know how to do those things, but yes knowing how and having experience are not the same things. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-you-cant-learn-how-to-do-from-youtube/690423/4 "2014-06-09T18:37:30Z")
I think it depends on who you are. I can only learn how to do something physical by doing it; copying someone else is almost impossible for me. So youtube is not much use to me that way. I learned how to harvest honey by working with a beekeeper. I learned how to measure fabric by measuring it and cutting it wrong a few times. And so forth, with all the things I know how to do. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-you-cant-learn-how-to-do-from-youtube/690423/5 "2014-06-09T19:45:24Z")
Is there a how-to-do cunnilingus video on YouTube? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-you-cant-learn-how-to-do-from-youtube/690423/6 "2014-06-09T20:00:21Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Is there a how-to-do cunnilingus video on YouTube? 😛 mm mm mumble mumble mm mmm. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-you-cant-learn-how-to-do-from-youtube/690423/7 "2014-06-09T20:04:45Z")
since anyone can put up a video you have no way of knowing if the advice is good. totally wrong and dangerous procedures might be suggested. even if not totally wrong there may be details left out or wrong that would give a less quality outcome. good to look for people claiming experience in the area either as a trade or accomplished hobbyist. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-you-cant-learn-how-to-do-from-youtube/690423/8 "2014-06-09T20:05:50Z")
I was thinking of expanding into laser prostate surgery after watching a YouTube video (my state license says I’m authorized to practice Medicine and Surgery). But just running an ad in the paper saying I’ve watched a really good YouTube video probably won’t get me a lot of patients. People are also pooh-poohing my planned shortcut into neurosurgery. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-you-cant-learn-how-to-do-from-youtube/690423/9 "2014-06-10T00:39:42Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Is there a how-to-do cunnilingus video on YouTube? 😛 [You asked for it.](https://screen.yahoo.com/colonel-angus-comes-home-000000562.html) Seriously though. Obligatory NSFW mask [Link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNe0SRIXgNc)