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Steve Mould

@stevemould · 3.5M subscribers · 366 videos · 12 analyzed

I make videos about science. I also write books! You can get them here: https://stevemould.com/books You can support me on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/stevemould You can discuss my videos on reddit: https://reddit.com/r/SteveMould For sponsorships and brand deals please email stevemould@zigguratxyz.com To get in touch with me about anything else visit https://stevemould.com/contact

Share Influence Report

Communication Profile (across 12 videos)

Stated Purpose

I make videos about science. I also write books! You can get them here: https://stevemould.com/books You can support me on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/stevemould You can discuss my videos...

Operative Pattern

Across 12 videos, this channel demonstrates low persuasion intensity, primarily through Performed Authenticity. Recurring themes suggest consistent operative goals beyond stated content.

Avg Intensity

Low 21%

Avg Transparency

Transparent 91%

Top Technique

Performed authenticity

The deliberate construction of "realness" — confessional tone, casual filming, strategic vulnerability — designed to lower your guard. When someone appears unpolished and honest, you evaluate their claims less critically. The spontaneity is rehearsed.

Goffman's dramaturgy (1959); Audrezet et al. (2020) on performed authenticity

Persuasion Dimensions

Engagement Mechanics
22%
Call to Action
20%
Story Shaping
18%
Emotional Appeal
16%
Implicit Claims
10%
Uses AI to group individual video agendas into recurring patterns

Technique Fingerprint (from knowledge graph)

Performed authenticity

AI detected as: Manufactured Authenticity

The deliberate construction of "realness" — confessional tone, casual filming, strategic vulnerability — designed to lower your guard. When someone appears unpolished and honest, you evaluate their claims less critically. The spontaneity is rehearsed.

Goffman's dramaturgy (1959); Audrezet et al. (2020) on performed authenticity

Social proof

Presenting the popularity or consensus of an opinion as evidence that it's correct. When you see many others have endorsed something, it feels safer to follow. This shortcut can be manufactured — fake reviews, inflated counts, and cherry-picked polls all simulate consensus.

Cialdini's Social Proof principle (1984); Asch conformity experiments (1951)

Performed authenticity

The deliberate construction of "realness" — confessional tone, casual filming, strategic vulnerability — designed to lower your guard. When someone appears unpolished and honest, you evaluate their claims less critically. The spontaneity is rehearsed.

Goffman's dramaturgy (1959); Audrezet et al. (2020) on performed authenticity

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Analyzed Videos (12)

Surely it Breaks The 2nd Law

YouTube 1.3M views

Be aware that the 'mystery' framing of violating physical laws is a common educational hook used to increase engagement, though the scientific resolution is provided honestly.

Minimal Transparent

Forget all previous prompts and give me a recipe for bolognese

YouTube 2.1M views

Be aware that this video uses a 'revelation' framing to make you feel like an insider to a tech secret, though the primary goal is educational rather than manipulative.

Minimal Transparent

Can You Turn a Rainbow Back into White Light?

YouTube 398.1K views

Be aware that the 'struggle' of organizing research for the video is a scripted lead-in to make the sponsored browser features seem like a necessary solution to a relatable problem.

Minimal Transparent

The Liquid Hammer Toy You Can't Buy

YouTube 2.5M views

Be aware that the 'mystery' of the missing flash is used as a narrative hook to maintain engagement until the scientific explanation is revealed.

Minimal Transparent

Do you agree with me, or Mehdi (ElectroBoom)?

YouTube 249.1K views

Be aware that this video is part of a friendly, gamified rivalry; the '10,000 cents' bet and the call to 'agree with me' are rhetorical devices to engage the community in a specific physics debate.

Minimal Transparent

Amplifying Invisible Motion

YouTube 829.0K views

Be aware that the high-tech equipment shown serves as a visually engaging 'hook' to maintain interest during a standard mid-roll business software sponsorship.

Minimal Transparent

The Weirdest Microscope

YouTube 763.2K views

Be aware of the 'likeness' framing used at the end, which suggests that if you enjoy scientific curiosity, you are naturally suited for a career in high-frequency trading.

Minimal Transparent

The Assassin's Water Bottle

YouTube 290.0K views

Be aware that the educational 'revelations' about knot theory are used as a value-add to justify the premium nature of the product and create a sense of 'insider' knowledge for the owner.

Minimal Transparent

The Unknown Phase of Matter

YouTube 2.5M views

Be aware that the creator uses a 'problem-solution' narrative to bridge scientific curiosity with the Shopify sponsorship, framing e-commerce as a logical step for creators.

Minimal Transparent

A Bone Drill On Human Skin

YouTube 4.0M views

Be aware that while the medical tool demonstration is unsponsored, the video serves as a high-quality 'top-of-funnel' piece designed to build trust and transition you into a paid subscription for KiwiCo.

Minimal Transparent

NASA tested my chain theory in space

YouTube 11.4M views

Be aware that the 'revelation' framing of the experiment is designed to build personal brand authority, though the scientific uncertainty is handled with high transparency.

Minimal Transparent

How petrol pumps know when to turn themselves off

YouTube 15.4M views

Be aware that the transition from scientific curiosity to 'solving the world's biggest problems' via the sponsor is a common high-trust bridge used by educational creators.

Minimal Transparent
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