Mike Rowe appeared on a June 2016 PragerU video in which he shot down the claim you should always “follow your passion.” In the video, Rowe made a good point that “just because you’re passionate about something, doesn’t mean you won’t suck at it” and that not everyone needs a four-year degree to be successful.

Apparently, as Louder With Crowder notes, YouTube recently found this offensive and restricted the video. YouTube stated:

“Some videos don’t violate our policies, but may not be appropriate for all audiences. In these cases, our review team may place an age restriction when we’re notified of the content.”

Now, Rowe has taken to Facebook in a statement firing back:

Holy Bleep! I’ve Been Restricted!

Last June, I was invited by Denis Prager to give the commencement speech at his virtual university. I accepted. The speech exists today in the form of a 5-minute video that’s been viewed nearly 6 million times on YouTube. I’ve just learned however, that YouTube has determined the content of that video to be “inappropriate.”

The basic message of my speech is simple – millions of good jobs currently exist that do not require a four-year degree. In the video, I touch on a few of the reasons why these jobs are routinely ignored, but focus mostly on the fact that society doesn’t encourage people to pursue vocations that don’t require a diploma. Hence, most people are not passionate about a long list of viable opportunities, because most people are affirmatively discouraged from learning a trade. Thus, our ever-widening skills gap.

I approach the problem by challenging the old platitude, “Follow Your Passion!”

The gist of my argument goes like this:

1) Passion is a critical component of job satisfaction and overall happiness. However…

2) Just because you’re passionate about something, doesn’t mean you won’t suck at it. Which means…

3) Following your passion doesn’t always lead to lasting happiness or true job satisfaction. Ergo, my advice to graduates is…

4) “NEVER follow your passion, but ALWAYS bring it with you.”

According to YouTube, “restricted videos” are videos that contain any of the following:

• Vulgar language

• Violence and disturbing imagery

• Nudity and sexually suggestive content

• Portrayal of harmful or dangerous activities

Obviously, I was surprised to learn that my video could be interpreted as anything but the G-rated message I believe it to be. So I watched it again – this time with an open mind and a more discriminating eye. I saw nothing violent, harmful, or dangerous. Nothing vulgar, disturbing, or objectionable. True, the animated figures are unclothed, but clearly androgynous, as well as faceless. I was honestly at a loss. But then I saw this, buried in the fine print.

“Some videos don’t violate our policies, but may not be appropriate for all audiences. In these cases, our review team may place an age restriction when we’re notified of the content.”

Is it possible that YouTube has determined that the IDEAS expressed in my speech are inappropriate for people under 18 – The precise audience that most needs to hear this message? The answer appears to be yes. So, before I officially complain to YouTube, I thought perhaps I might ask 5 million of my closest friends if my head is up my astericks.

Mike

PS. There are currently 6.2 million available jobs in this country, the majority of which do NOT require a four-year degree. Student debt is now approaching $1.3 trillion, and millions of college graduates have failed to find work in their chosen fields. And yet, we continue to push a college degree like it’s the best path for the most people. We continue to tell our kids to follow their passion, no matter where it might lead them. Enough already. The time has come to encourage our kids to explore ALL of the educational options available to them, and ALL of the vocations waiting to be filled. That message has been restricted for too long.

Less than 24 hours later, the post had over 30,000 shares, 80,000 likes, and 10,000 comments. The attention the post received seemed to have worked as Rowe issued an update to his followers Friday:

The Way I Heard It

Many have asked for an update regarding YouTube’s decision to restrict my video on Prager University. As of this morning, the restriction appears have been lifted.

I’m tempted to attribute this reversal with yesterday’s post – a post that generated 10,000 comments, reached 5 million people, and got shared 30,000 times – but that feels vaguely…self-congratulatory. So let me instead acknowledge this happy occasion for the coincidence it probably is, and thank YouTube sincerely for rethinking their decision to restrict the content of my commencement speech. I’m grateful. But I’d also like to take this opportunity to encourage them to revisit their policy on a broader basis.

Thirty-six other videos are currently restricted on Prager University – none of which contain a single frame that would trigger the Motion Picture Association of America to issue anything but a “G” rating. These videos are restricted purely because some people disagree with ideas expressed therein. These are videos with titles like,

What Should We Do About Guns?

Immigrants! Don’t Vote for What You Fled

Are the Police Racist?

Why Did America Fight the Korean War?

What ISIS Wants

The Most Important Question About Abortion

Why Do People Become Islamic Extremists?

Why America’s Military Must Be Strong

Obviously, the subject matter is ripped from the headlines, and the opinions expressed do not reflect the views of everyone. But so what? Dissenting views are welcome in the comments, and from what I’ve seen, lively debate often ensues. And really – what’s the worst part about that? Isn’t that what we need now more than ever – a reasoned, intelligent exchange of ideas in the public square?

Anyway, in the spirit of what’s appropriate and what isn’t, I submit for your consideration this weeks biographical mystery. It’s a true story – also ripped from the headlines – and one that I believe lives up to its title while remaining appropriate for everyone. (Mostly.) Please enjoy responsibly.

Mike

On its website, PragerU has a list of 37 videos that have been restricted because “YouTube does not want young people to hear conservative ideas.”

Read more at Mike Rowe’s Video Got Restricted and Now He’s Firing Back With a Message for YouTube.