52,832 top-level comments · 52,826 analysed
What's even more sad, is that closed walmart came in, killed off all the mom and pop grocers that had probably been around for a century, then realized they'd overestimated and closed it down, leaving a massive, brutalist brick store to decay in the beautiful woodlands. Walmart a…
Apart from the obvious problems this region is facing, the actual landscape looks like a great environment to live in. Small towns, a few houses surrounded by forest, no big crowds, generally kind people, nature taking old buildings back over. Such a fascinating atmosphere, I hop…
I was an international student from Ethiopia when I first came to the Appalachians as part of our senior retreat . I went to a very expensive high school in Chicago and at first our teachers were warning us how we may receive racist comments from the locals . First, I’d like to s…
Those youngsters at the end of the video were amazing kids. 18 year old diesel mechanic, 16 year old dairy queen manager, and the other youngster knew everything about history. That's what I like to see
I’m 18 and I live in one of the counties shown in this video. I’ve never seen anyone cover us like this, and the fact it’s got 8 million views in just 5 days is blowing my mind. Thanks for bringing light to us, it really feels like the rest of the world has forgotten we exist. It…
I'm from Russia, and it's so eye-opening to see people from the other part of the globe having the same problems as my people do. It makes me think we are way closer than politicians want us to believe. Thank you for giving voice to these people, great work!
As a Kentuckian I can not express how happy I am that you are visiting these places and giving these folks a voice. You are humble and open minded and this kind of journalism (or whatever you want to call it) is desperately needed on the internet today. Thank you for your work- y…
My favorite part was when you talked to the boys who were fishing under the bridge. They challenge our preconceived notions of what kind of kids we’ve been led to believe they might be. Four hard-working, straight edge boys, including a diesel mechanic, a manager, and an eloquent…
Thanks for coming along on this Appalachian journey! This is the start of a 8-part series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEyPgwIPkHo5If6xyrkr-s2I6yz23o0av ► Map on the economic wellbeing of counties in Appalachia: https://www.arc.gov/map/county-economic-status-in-appalac…
Thanks for coming along on this Appalachian journey! This is the start of a 8-part series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEyPgwIPkHo5If6xyrkr-s2I6yz23o0av ► Map on the economic wellbeing of counties in Appalachia: https://www.arc.gov/map/county-economic-status-in-appalac…
I'm an airline pilot and often fly over Appalachia on my route home to Europe from Dallas, TX. It really is a darker area at night, due to the rugged terrain and the lack of population (by comparison to surrounding regions) and often wondered what life is like down there. Thanks …
In my opinion this is the type of stuff that should be on Netflix. So respectful, empathetic, considerate, sincere. If documentaries like this were widespread and mainstream, things would change. Seriously.
As a Northern European, I'm kinda fascinated with how "green and lush" this landscape is. It's like someone plopped down an American town in the middle of a rain forest or something.
Fun Fact: The book the nice woman in the holler passes to him is 'They Died in the Darkness' by Lacy Dillon, which is an examination of accounts of the various mine disasters. It is a really rare book, with most copies being owned by university libraries. Not even available in a …
Those three young men at the end burned down and destroyed stereotypes of the Appalachian people. When the two friends supported and urged on the other to demonstrate his singing abilities, it moved me. Incredible and rare to see people so supportive and kind to thier buddies. Go…
I lived very briefly in Ripley West Virginia, when i was 19. My boyfriend, his friend and myself went for a ride in the hills. The truck we were in broke down as it was getting dark, so we started walking. We we're stuck and walking in the dark in the deep country. We came across…
That young fella that has a full ride to college and knew so much about local and family history my gosh he had me almost in tears, he was so well spoken and polite and driven. Never met him and never will but I'm proud of him.
Impressed by the boy at the bridge. The way he talks about his family, veterans and locals. With respect and dignity. He has pride and a vision on the world. An example for many.
It really upsets me how these towns were abandoned. The urban layout of the towns make them look very walkable and feel like a community; they look better than most car dependent urban areas nowaday.
The group of kids fishing at the bridge touched my heart. We need more like them in the world.
Damn, this is much better than so many high budget TV documentaries. Just a kind guy talking respectfully to people, being curious. I feel like I was part of this trip. Great work.
To that beautiful young woman who's making it through college - we are so proud of you. Generational trauma is real & you are doing incredible for yourself & your future generations. Keep it up sis!!
The history kid needs a long-form episode and an occasional check-in. I want him to succeed SO bad.
"kids don't wanna work!" job on offer: 60 hours a week underground, only seeing sunlight when you get home from work😵💫
As a European, seeing the young dude talking passionately about history, knowing a lot about his native american ancestors and naming them by name, dividing Greek and Roman empires, and knowing about a great deal of european history makes me happy and hopefull. I'm honestly very …
As a black woman watching this, I was moved to tears. The kids on the bridge captured my heart in this one statement, “racism is stupid, it’s meant to divide us.” Love the people, the outdoors, the hope even in the midst of sadness with drugs so rampant.
As a German, of all the places I would have expected to hear the story of one of our nation's ancient heroes, I did not expect the story or Arminius to be told by an Appalachian kid in that sorta accent. Truly bizarre experience and proving that with freedom of information, anyon…
I have no words to describe my respect for the young men at the end of the video. They are smart, respectful and have a great work ethic. The world would be a much better place if everyone was like them
That young man who broke out in acappella is a diamond in the rough. So glad he is on a full ride in Archaelogy and History because he's an exemplary young man. So proud to listen him calmly describing how he feels about misconceptions about his community.
Still blows my Euro mind how social you guys are, everyone seems so down to chat
Videos like this is what makes YouTube a true alternative to mind-numbing television. There are countless garbage videos on YouTube but videos like this makes me love it. Peter deserves an awards and grants for educating the masses. This was a great and inspiring video and allowe…
The Walmart bit was very true. I lived in a small town in called Piedmonte in southeastern Missouri when I was younger. They had a population of about 1600 at the time and when Walmart set up shop they out paid their workers compared to the smaller grocery stores as-well as beati…
I was so impressed with the young man that you spoke at the end of this video and his knowledge of history. His community should be very proud.!!
That young kid that loves history is an amazing human being. When I see people like that I regain full faith in humanity all over again. World has become a cold and distant place, we need people like him. Amazing.
As a resident of Appalachia, I appreciate your respect of the people living in these very poor communities. This video actually made me shed a prideful tear. Because even though southern WV is mocked by most of the country, even though Big Pharma enabled an opioid epidemic…even…
As a Appalachian I urge you to keep spreading awareness to our area. It’s a beautiful area with lots of beautiful history and a lot of tragic history as well. Awareness is what we need to show that we’re not just dumb hicks, but people who have a lot to offer. We were just unluck…
I am an immigrant from Russia, I work on a boxtruck - I travel all over America, and from the very first time the Apalachee seemed to me a wonderful country where I would like to stay and live. Despite the poverty of this region, people and nature attract me. Thanks for the repor…
The fact that that young lady is at college, working and a mum. Absolute hats off to her and I hope she’s rewarded in life 🙏✨
The history kid at the end portion of the video needs his own long form episode. Such passion for knowledge and reverence for what he’s learned while being so respectful; more people should get to hear him share
As a Japanese person, I was surprised at how much the natural landscape in the video resembled the Japanese countryside in midsummer. It would be perfect if there was a rapid river.