We’ve all been there. It’s late at night and you’re scrolling through reels on your phone. Suddenly, you stumble across a video of two shirtless men in the jungle building a swimming pool by hand and are immediately drawn in for the next 15 minutes watching a time-lapse video. The phenomenon of “primitive building” videos on YouTube has captivated millions worldwide. These videos often showcase handcrafted intricate underground swimming pools, villas, and water parks, created with the most base materials in remote jungles. The allure lies in witnessing the meticulous, labor-intensive processes that culminate in stunning, functional creations. However, the authenticity of these productions has come under great scrutiny, with evidence suggesting that many are staged using modern tools and extensive off-camera assistance.
The Genesis of the Trend
The genre of these videos can trace its roots to John Plant, an Australian from Far North Queensland, who launched the YouTube channel “Primitive Technology” in 2015. Plant’s videos feature him, clad simply in blue shorts, demonstrating the creation of survival tools and shelters using materials sourced directly from nature. His authentic, gimmick-free approach resonated with audiences, amassing over 10 million subscribers and nearly a billion views. Plant’s dedication to genuine primitive building techniques set a high standard in the genre.
Inspired by Plant’s early success, numerous imitators emerged, primarily from Southeast Asia, producing content that escalated in extravagance. These channels depict builders constructing opulent resort-style pools, elaborate water features, and complex water slides, often within 15-minute time-lapsed videos. The thumbnails are often pure clickbait, sometimes employing heavy photo editing to enhance appeal. While the final products appear impressive, the feasibility of the structures themselves as well as the methods used to build them is questionable at best.
To showcase their efforts, they often take a refreshing dip in the completed pool, once its finished. These videos have become so widespread that a friend recently quipped on Facebook, “Why is it taking so long to build my pool with an entire crew when two guys can dig one by hand in the middle of the jungle? I should have just hired them!”
However, the reality behind these viral “primitive” building videos is more complex than it appears. Investigations have revealed that many of these productions are not as authentic as they claim, often involving modern tools and sizable teams to achieve the impressive results.
Signs of Staging and Modern Intervention
Despite their rustic appeal, several indicators suggest that many of these videos are staged:
- Inconsistent Progression: Some videos display sudden transitions from initial digging to fully formed structures without showing the intermediate steps, raising questions about the authenticity of the portrayed processes.
- Improbable Constructions: The complexity and scale of certain projects, such as expansive underground pools with pristine water, seem implausible using only primitive tools and methods, suggesting the involvement of modern equipment.
- Eyewitness Accounts: Insiders have disclosed that some productions employ directors, architects, and sizable construction crews. Drone footage from Siem Reap, Cambodia, exposed large teams utilizing modern machinery like excavators and concrete mixers to expedite the building process. An anonymous cameraman revealed that at least a dozen individuals, including specialized builders, participate in these projects.
YouTube serves as the primary platform facilitating the dissemination of this content, benefiting from advertising revenue generated by high view counts. Social Blade estimates the average yearly earnings for the channel owners to be as high as $809,280. The endeavor appears highly profitable and lucrative. Yet YouTube’s own eligibility guidelines appear to be in question seeing as one of the prerequisites are that content not be deceptive in nature.
Environmental and Ethical Concerns
Beyond questions of authenticity, these productions can have detrimental environmental impacts. Reports from Cambodia highlight that such projects often leave behind environmental degradation, including deforestation and pollution from abandoned materials. Environmentalists express concern that these activities exacerbate habitat loss and pose risks to local wildlife.
The Reality of Pool Construction
For homeowners who were inspired by these videos, it’s essential to understand the realities of pool construction. Building a pool involves meticulous planning, permitting, excavation, plumbing, and finishing—a process that typically spans several weeks to months, depending on complexity and unforeseen challenges. Building a semi-functional swimming pool in the middle of the jungle that will only be used as fodder for clicks and views is quite different than building a permanent structure that will not be abandoned after the camera crew leaves. In reality, swimming pools have to be up to code, both from a safety standpoint and a construction standpoint.
In fact, a civil engineer who watched one of their pool construction videos on YouTube said that the ‘earth cement was incredibly fake’ and there are ‘lots of signs of human stupidity’. Further commenting: ‘Even in ancient times, nobody would be so stupid as to make pools without drainage and leave still water, especially in the tropics because of the insects it would generate.’ Ultimately he stressed that the videos were ‘fake, dangerous and misleading’.
Approaching Content Critically
While these videos offer entertainment, it’s crucial for viewers to approach them with a critical eye. While they make for great discussion, digging a swimming pool by hand in your backyard is likely to come with much more complication than indicated in the videos we’re watching. For those like my friend who have been waiting several months for their outdoor oasis to be completed, unfortunately, this is the way swimming pools are built in the real world.
For a deeper exploration into the staging of these videos, consider watching the following analysis:
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