Adam Cole and Joss Fong, seasoned science journalists, launched their own YouTube channel named Howtown after leaving established media due to shrinking opportunities for longform content. Their decision was partly influenced by recent layoffs at Vox, where Fong previously worked. Howtown focuses on unique scientific topics, such as dog vision and ancestral human connections. They acknowledge the terrifying prospect of going independent, yet they embrace the challenge, demonstrating adaptability in a changing media landscape.
It's terrifying. We're not young kids with infinite energy and confidence...most things probably fail, and we have the attitude that we've got to give it our best shot.
The space to make the kind of longform videos that Cole and Fong wanted to make was shrinking...it seemed the writing was on the wall.
In December 2023, Vox laid off nine members of the award-winning video team that Fong had helped build.
Their recent video about the spiciness of Hot Ones hot sauces hit 1.5 million views - the kind of numbers that might be considered viral.
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