It is different - Do you think it detracts from the "brand," such that it is? It's mostly just for fun, however, I also wondered how appealing to a broader, more general audience would work... we shall see in the next few days!

I think you are your brand, so not having you in the video might hurt your brand.

Good comment. Yea, I just wanted to do something fun for the end of the year. (The animation is just stock, so it didn't take much time.)

Question for you: I considered doing a voiceover or even a little on camera (ala E or Entertainment Tonight or whatever). That would have extended the piece by ANOTHER minute and added very little (no?) new info. (Besides extending a fun little project beyond what was fun!) Yea or Nay?

Don't get me wrong, this is a fine fun piece. But I used to see more informative and technical videos from you, this format seems like a step back to me. You are not just someone who uploads his family videos, you have become popular and viewers expect certain qualities from your videos. But I may be wrong, after all I cannot speak for all viewers, apparently others liked this one. Happy New Year!

Oh, I gotcha and totally understood your point and didn't read it as an arbitrary driveby Internet slam at all (that's what YouTube is for). I genuinely appreciate your thoughtful opinions and criticism! So, yea, keep on keeping on and Happy New Year to you as well!