A Guide to the Best and Most Popular Vlogs and Vloggers on Youtube

The internet is marvellous, but there is just so much of it.Youtube has enough content to last 600 years and millions of people, or 'youtubers', access the website everyday. Many people claim that if you are a regular on youtube, you have far too much time on your hands. And no, I'm not denying that a large amount of youtube is compilations of people falling over, monkeys dancing, clips from Jerry Springer and so on. But if you learn to sift through the floods of videos, you can find some amazing things and magnificent people.

'Vlogging', as you may know, is video blogging. A person sits in front of a camera and shares their views, ideas, experiences and knowledge. Watching vlogs, believe it or not, makes you part of a community and can really expand your knowledge as well as keeps you highly entertained. To enjoy them it also helps if you are an internet nerd. You are forewarned.

If you are new to the wonderful ways of youtube or just want to find some new vloggers, here are some of my favourites, a subjective list. If you disagree with any choices or have any recommendations, please comment and let me know!

'Edutainment': a merge of entertainment and education, yes, you can have both. So, if you're a book nerd, a science nerd, a history nerd, or just someone who wants to know about the world around you, this is for you.

Science

Vlogbrothers is a channel where originally, two brothers decided to only communicate over vlogs for a year. Slowly, their following grew and they have now become one of the most significant and celebrated duos on youtube. They do a lot of charity work and have created a community called 'nerdfighters' for those who 'fight for the rights of nerds' and generally have nerdy things in common: http://www.youtube.com/user/vlogbrothers

Hank from vlogbrothers has now created a Sci-show for your scientific needs and news, just being generally amiable, funny and intelligent. Even if you don't think you're a born Chemist, the show is still work watching (I loathed Science at school): http://www.youtube.com/user/scishow.

History

John, his brother and successful author, has History covered, with some of Hank's Biology thrown in, on the new channel crashcourse, which covers everything from The Dark Ages to Alexander The Great. As well as being funny, this is well animated, with a good production value too: http://www.youtube.com/user/crashcourse.

Literature

There are so many good quality book discussions and reviewers on youtube, but a prevalent channel is booksandquills, featuring Sanne, a student from the Netherlands. Although she does cover classics. she is also very up to date and delves into teen literature. Highly literate with a passion for all things books: http://www.youtube.com/user/booksandquills.

There are also an abundance of these channels; interesting people with interesting opinions, youtube sensations. But here are a few of the most famous and first-rate.

Charlieissocoollike and Nerimon are British friends who met over the site and are both long-established vloggers. In fact, youtube almost chronicles Charlie growing up! Both are eclectic and intelligent characters who now live together. These guys are big; Stephen Fry does Charlie's outro and Alex's (Nerimon) 'nermie army' got his song 'Forever Yours' to number four in the British Christmas charts! Be sure to take a peek: http://www.youtube.com/user/charlieissocoollike & http://www.youtube.com/user/nerimon

Ze Frank

He's so good he gets his own subtitle. Otherwise known as the 'father of vlogging', Ze Frank is a youtube God, who basically created the concept of the vlog. The stimulating, original and gag-brimming 'a show with Ze Frank' is a must watch. The previously mentioned Vlogbrothers were heavily influenced by this man. And yes, he is quite, quite mad. But we love him. http://www.youtube.com/user/zefrank1

Youtube is the one of the best ways to get your humor-kicks. But obviously everyone has differing tastes; there is something out there for all, try these for size.

Wheezywaiter; a blend of the silly and the outlandish, his long-term jokes span from a whale tank in his apartment to clones. Adorable and talented, with regular content:http://www.youtube.com/user/wheezywaiter.

Jenna Marbles is perhaps one of the most popular comedy vloggers, brought to fame by her viral video 'how to trick people into thinking you're good looking'; a girl with a dry sense of humor who doesn't want to grow up: http://www.youtube.com/user/jennamarbles.

OMFGItsJackandDean is for you if you prefer sketch shows and college humour; http://www.youtube.com/user/OMFGItsJackAndDean. But if you like it rude and, dare I say, insane try smosh or makemebad35. http://www.youtube.com/user/smosh, http://www.youtube.com/user/makemebad35

Khyan1: the most dry, self-effacing, sarcastic, wonderful comic out there. His videos are often beautifully filmed and always hilarious:http://www.youtube.com/user/Khyan1.

More than enough to get you going and exploring the bizarre, yet rewarding, realm of youtube!