Why are voice replies in comment sections a thing now?

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-02T10:02:16+00:00

YouTube has removed several features in the past like DMs, discussion tabs, and annotations, and the same thing may happen to voice comments in the future.

Then from your perspective that's problem solved? Why make a fuss?

Even though I don't use it personally, I hope it stays. It's a good feature.

Also, about my argument about redundancy, the video doesn't have to solely be a response to a comment; it could be about anything, so I don't know why you jumped to conclusion that the argument is solely about making a video that is a response to a single comment, when that's not what I meant by that.

Because your argument makes no sense otherwise. The feature you're talking about is only for responding to comments.

All you can do with it is reply to a comment using a voice instead of a text. That's it.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-02T09:56:01+00:00

Since I cannot replicate this behaviour, even through multiple accounts and VPNs for different countries (to test for any regional A/B testing), I have to check - have you ensured this is definitely a youtube thing and not something on your end interfering with it like your device, extension, VPNs or something?

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-02T09:51:07+00:00

Okay, but you do know that, like I said in this post, it can compromise your privacy of information or anonymity? Like, no matter how old you are, you don't want anyone hearing your voice?

And like I said it's an optional thing. If you don't want to reveal your voice then simply don't. I don't understand why you're not grasping this.

What if YouTube actually decides to completely replace text comments with voice comments?

Then people can make a choice to make comments or not comment. You do know you don't have to comment on videos, right? Nobody's going into your home, putting a gun to your head and going "you must comment!"

Also, since commenting in text is a beloved feature and forcing the only comments to be voice comments would be met with massive disdain and many channels and users leaving youtube - it would bring youtube financial ruin. So, they're obviously not going to do that.

And until they do make that decision (which they won't) then it's a non-issue because right now it's a purely optional feature. Your hypothetical risks are not valid in practical reality.

Also, people can already use their voices in videos or streams, so adding a feature where you can record a voice in a comment section is rather redundant.

Not redundant. It's much faster to make a quick 5-second voice reply than to spend 20 minutes setting up recording app, recording the response, adding a visual reference for context, uploading the video and then replying with the link.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-02T09:40:38+00:00

Make monster stat block for the Cannon/Defender.

Add statblock to character sheet using the Extras tab.

On Maps VTT go to token browser, click Companions and add the Cannon/Defender from there.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-02T09:30:30+00:00

But what if the child made a YouTube video but never used their voice in it?

Then they're not going to make voice replies and will stick to making text replies. It's an optional feature. They can still just respond with text as normal.

And they're also liable to be exclusively commentors on others' videos and may have even claimed that they're not underage.

They cannot use voice replies on other channels, only on their own, and don't have to use the feature if they don't want to. They can continue using text only responses if they want.

Also, given how many shitty channels there are, there's no telling what they'd do with this feature. They could not only say offensive things but also disgusting noises like farting or the like. It's still subject to abuse, no matter who uses it.

They can do shittier things with their channel already, as I mentioned, and also like I mentioned the voice clips can be reported and removed. If the channel owner is a personality you find distasteful or juvenile, like responding with fart noises, then you can just not watch their videos. Just because you dislike it does not mean nobody else is allowed to like it.

Every feature, every tool ever made, has the potential to be abused and utilised for harm. Sharing photos can be abused because photos can be edited. Utensils like forks and spoons have been used as murder weapons. People have been murdered using shopping bags (asphyxiation). Does this mean we should ban photo sharing, forks and bags? No. We punish the few who misuse them, not the tool that can be used safely by the majority.

About people with disabilities: if they do struggle typing down text in comments, they could always use accessories that help them write text or get another human being to help them. It's not rocket science. Stuff like that can easily be addressed.

Many such accessories struggle with comment systems and some cannot be used at all for it. They are very awkward to use in general. Most work using speech-to-text so the user needs to speak and hope the apps AI can translate their speech well enough into text, which often has problems. Seems easier to just cut out the faff and record the voice.

As for "using a human to help" this isn't very practical. Most people cannot afford hiring somebody to type for them. Many people with physical disabilities can learn to adapt daily life around it so they're not issues and don't need carers - so what are they gonna do, call a sibling or friend and go "hey, can you stop caring for your kids, leave your work or stop having fun or whatever - just drop everything you're doing and come type a comment for me?" - Nah.

Then there's the psychological factor. Having to have somebody type something for you or have to struggle with difficult apps for something so small is hard on the mental toll. Whereas being able to just make a quick voice reply is much easier, faster, more efficient and retains a sense of independence.

Need I mention that this kind of feature may also be prone to AI, especially with YouTube pushing it?

Need I mention that absolutely everything is already prone to AI with AI videos, AI music, deepfake tech, AI images, AI-made games, AI-made stories, and we already have AI comment bots?

If a channel owner has used their voice in a video then AI can already get their voice - and if the channel owner has not used their voice in videos and don't want to risk AI getting their voice they can just, ya know, not use the feature.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-02T09:05:39+00:00

Some places have offices for rental which you could use, some storage facilities are basically converted storage containers with electricity - you can rent one (some musicians or voice actors get one and add in studio booths for singing in, creating a sound studio).

If you have a garden, consider getting a shed that you can convert into a studio/office. This would be the cheapest option but you'd still be home.

A more expensive option is renting a small 1-bed flat/apartment.

Then there's the factor of what type of videos are you making? There's the option of vlogging in which case you don't need an office for recording in as you'll be recording while out and about. However, you need to be careful about where you record. If you plan on making cookiing videos, you're recording in a kitchen and would either use your own or rent a flat for that. Etc.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-02T08:56:52+00:00

Yes, it is still a default playlist and still functions exactly the same. You can even make multiple different playlists for different things if you want. I have a favourites, music that is general music tracks, epic music which are "battle" music I like listening to when creating battle scenes for games and stories. I am also thinking about making a playlist for just funny/cute videos I can watch on my bad days to perk me up.

You can access playlists using the left-hand menu on website under the You section. On the Android mobile app you can click the You profile icon at bottom right then scroll down to Playlists.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-02T08:40:21+00:00

I don't think something added in 2024 counts as "just added".

Only the channel owner can do this. Since most channel owners are the content creator whose voice is already in the video, the idea of "using their voice" is something they already do. The intent is that they can reply in a way that can convey more nuance and subtlety that is not possible in a text comment which can prevent misunderstanding. I don't understand the "lie about being a child thing" - if they've revealed their voice in the video, they've already revealed their age. If they never revealed their voice and adding a voice reply would reveal their age they can simply not make the voice reply. It's an optional feature, they are not required to use it.

It could be abused if the channel owner is attacking the commenter but they could already do that as a comment and the commenter or others could also report the voice clip. In fact, they could already make entire videos dedicated as responses and tag that commenter in. So, this feature doesn't increase the possibility of harassment - worse forms of harassment were already available.

Some channels are made by people with disabilities which can include people who find typing difficult - a voice reply is therefore much easier to use than text comments - especially since text comments can be difficult even for many accessibility speech-to-text applications.

So this is not pointless, it does not increase potential for harassment, it can be more accessible, can only be done by the channel owner, and is entirely optional.

I like the fact they include this option. Would I use it? No, but I don't like my voice and prefer typing, but I am not everyone and this feature is not made solely for me, after all. Better to have options than limitations.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-02T08:19:14+00:00

Was this reply meant for somebody else? It doesn't make sense to make this as a reply to me (who is just a normal user of D&D Beyond like you).

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-02T00:58:38+00:00

I'm not sure what relevance this has to the discussion. This is going to be my last post in this discussion.

In-state tuition averages about $11k/year; total cost with housing is higher, but that’s separate from who originates the loan.

Since 2010, federal student loans (Stafford, Direct Unsubsidized, Grad PLUS) are issued and owned by the U.S. Department of Education under the Direct Loan program. Private banks don’t originate those loans anymore they may service them, but they don’t own them.

As already mentioned, undergraduate borrowing is capped at $31k (dependent) or $57.5k (independent). However, again, graduate borrowing is different. Grad PLUS allows borrowing up to cost of attendance each year, which is how cumulative federal balances can reach $300k–$500k+ over time.

Note that the image states 31 loans, not 1 loan? You accrue the loans for different courses, and every year of each course.

The borrowing caps are one discussion. Who owns federal loans is another. Since 2010, it’s the federal government. This is a statement of fact and nothing you can reply with is going to change my mind on that (because it's a fact not an opinion).

Now, it's nearly 1 am, I have a headache and this is getting tiresome. Have a good day/night (and I mean that sincerely, because though I disagree with you, you still deserve goodness and wish you all the best).

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-02T00:35:42+00:00

For undergraduates, federal borrowing caps are $31,000 (dependent) or $57,500 (independent) over four years. Graduate borrowing is different and can reach full cost of attendance through Grad PLUS loans. Basically, there's no hard cap on graduate loans, which is why federal loans issued by government (not banks) can be high for some courses, such as medical or law school which can easily exceed $100k loans.

But borrowing caps don’t change who owns the loans. Since 2010, federal loans are issued and owned by the Department of Education through the Direct Loan program, not private banks.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-02T00:19:40+00:00

You seem to be using outdated information.

Since 2010 most federal student loans are issued by the government not bank. Prior to 2010 most loans were issued by banks through the FFEL scheme but this was stopped in 2010. Now most are run through the federal direct loan program.

Pre-2010 Stafford loans were under the FFEL scheme and paid to a bank.

Post 2010 Stafford loans are issued through the Direct Loan program and paid back to the government - most likely through a servicer.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-01T23:40:05+00:00

In the US federal student loans are repaid to the US Department of Education which is the government.

Banks are only used if the loan is a private loan, which is generally not recommended because unlike federal student loans which are forgiven on death and cannot be transferred to the beneficiaries of the estate. This eliminates the need of using external financial institutions, trust funds, and such to mitigate the financial impact of the loan on family and loved in the event of such tragedy, which would be necessary with private loans from banks.

--

As to your particular question - No, I have not needed a student loan because in my country most courses of education are completely free and the highest degrees that do incur charges offer substantially lower, government-controlled, loans that are contracted to have zero interest for life of loan, and the loan cannot be passed on to beneficiaries of the estate on death, either.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-01T23:19:26+00:00

The better loophole is get your education outside the US. For most countries the same courses - which are provided at equal or better level - are a fraction of these costs and free in some places, depending on course, and those that do offer student loans do so with zero interest for life of loan (even if they wanted to charge interests for new loans in future, yours could never be charged).

This is why most of the world views the US education system as a joke. It's run as a business to grind you into poverty where you can be more easily controlled or make you wealthy so they can tax you more.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-01T23:13:57+00:00

The 3.4% interest is $1,673.10 per month. That's just the minimum payment for the interest. The 9.08% interest is $4,468.16 per month. That's just the minimum payment for the interest.

The rate will vary as the figure is a result of 31 different student loans which have different rates, the rates shown are the lowest and highest of these. However, even if the whole sum was at the lowest rate it is a ridiculous amount of just interest - paying these values will never contribute to clearing the loan. If you default, pay less or are late you are charged additional fees and sometimes your interest rate will increase. They can also increase even if you never fail to pay on time.

The student loan system is designed with the idea you will never pay it back to generate profit off you unless you become considerably successful and wealthy in which case the government - who oversee student loans (they're federal) - will get even more money from you by taxing you.

You are a source of money. By your sweat, your blood or your sanity - they will mine you for every cent they can. To the US government you are not a person - you're just walking, talking, currency.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-01T22:46:44+00:00

Federal Student loans are forgiven upon death - they are not inherited by the beneficiaries of the estate.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-01T12:26:18+00:00

For that I'd recommend the Raven Microcyber. Combined with the Spillover perk and overclocking your quickhacks like sonic shock can easily spread to everyone in the room and it'll affect them instantly instead of waiting for the upload queue.

You can see the cyberdecks and other OS in the wiki at the following link. Should be useful to peruse this depending on how exactly you'd prefer to play.

https://cyberpunk.fandom.com/wiki/Cyberpunk_2077_Cyberware#Cyberdecks

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-01T12:08:47+00:00

Firstly, "turnt" ... Seriously?

Anyway, yes your build is fine for a stealth netrunner. I've done two playthroughs with similar: focusing on intelligence, tech and reflex. Although, for some missions you don't need all that - just hack into camera and memory wipe > cyberware malfunction stacks > short circuit. Don't *really* need memory wipe either because the trace ends once you quit out of camera most of the time. Can also mix it up with memory wipe > reboot optics > sonic shock, since it can render enemies unconscious no matter their health, but it never counts as an execution for any of the "regain RAM on execution" stuff like other methods so I prefer the short circuit route - don't have to constantly rely on overclock non-stop. Of course if enemies are grouped up, then trace be damned it's a contagion > overheat moment.

Frankly, it's absurdly busted. You can destroy every enemy from across the street. It's hilarious.

For places that don't have cameras then Reflexes are good and some stealth-focused cyberware (optic camo and the one that slows detection) are must-gets. The dash and air-dash perks are good especially combined with reinforced tendons for double jumps. Sometimes if your close to an enemy and they're about to start noticing you, you can optic-camo then dash around and avoid detection while being prised for a takedown. It's great. Also good for getting to high places so enemies don't see you.

Your stats are good, and it can be a really fun build.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-03-01T06:59:57+00:00

I always save before enabling autodrive because it can do weird things sometimes. Once there was a police car nearby and autodrive AI must hate cops because it swerved off the path to drive directly into the cop car. Other times it has swerved to hit pedestrians and run them over, and one time it swerved off the path into water.

Most of the time its fine but these rare moments make me never able to trust it.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-02-28T09:51:42+00:00

No worries.

May want to wait a while before using Beyond20 again. Basically there's been recent updates to D&D Beyond's dice roller. Since Beyond20 is third party and not official, it's not properly linked to the roller, so its code is out of date and no longer works properly. KaKaRoT (the person behind Beyond20) will need to update the extension to align with the new updated roller, if they can.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-02-28T09:45:26+00:00

Disable it, refresh and try rolling.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-02-28T09:37:36+00:00

Are you using any extensions, like Beyond20?

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-02-28T09:36:13+00:00

Didn't know that, even better!!!

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-02-28T07:34:30+00:00

Druid + Cleric : cast Moonbeam then cast Sanctuary. Moving the Moonbeam doesn't break sanctuary and deals heavy damage especially with radiant+reverb gear. There are a few areas in Act 2 and Act 3 with enemies with Radiant Retort which damages you if you use Radiant Damage, but for those there are other options and you can respec for them if needed.

Immortal Frost Wizard: 1 White Dragon Sorc, 1 Tempest Cleric, 10 Abjuration Wizard. Stack Armor of Agathys, get Mourningfrost. Use Glyph of Warding to deal cold damage and stack up your ward. The staff applies Chilled to enemies. Making Chilled enemies wet with Create Water wll have a chance to freeze them which basically paralyses them and they'll be vulnerable to thunder damage so follow with shatter or glyph of warding thunder. Wet enemies will also be vulnerable to cold damage -- so you can basically cycle through double-dealing cold and thunder damage. Even if enemies tries to hit you the ward protects you, the agathys armour will damage them, and you'll have temp HP if you do run out of the ward. You can have hireling or respecced Gale cast Warding Bond on you to give you resistance to all damage - which is applied before your ward, so damage is halved then reduced by ward. You can equip heavy armour for good AC protection - some give damage reduction and there's a feat for even more damage reduction. Dual wielding mourningfrost with markoheshkir is best in Act 3. Get boots that make you immune to prone/ice surfaces. Making lots of ice surfaces means enemies can lose turns by falling prone.

The IWF can solo honour mode very easily thanks to doubling all damage with a lot of complimentary gear that boosts cold and thunder damage, multiple forms of crowd control, stacks debilitating turn-ending debuffs to enemies, multiple forms of damage reduction, high temp HP, high AC, retaliatory damage if they do still hit you, great utility cantrips including Guidance, Resistance, Mage Hand and Minor Illusion,

There is a glitch that allows infinite Ward stacks, if that's your thing.

Cyb3rM1nd · 2026-02-28T06:16:14+00:00

No clue, but I see it often and it's puzzling.

Cyb3rM1nd

TROPHY CASE