[cbeley]

Because I want to actually support content creators. I also want it to be more normalized to pay for things vs having ad supported content.

[card_zero]

Do you think giving money to the world's largest ad agency will encourage them to change their business model?

[cbeley]

Their business model is already in line with my values. I give them money and in exchange I get an ad-free experience. They don't need to change.

[j45]

It’s an opt out fee from Ads.

[lucb1e]

I don't think you're normalizing ad-supported content when running an ad blocker

As for paying for the content you consume, most of the costs aren't on Google's side. I can understand paying for Youtube as a shortcut to hopefully giving some pennies to each person you watch, though, at least for those with no moral objection to making Google's/Youtube's monopoly in online video stronger

[matheusmoreira]

Then subscribe to their Patreon instead of paying YouTube.

[lucb1e]

I was a bit surprised to find that Patreon also keeps a pretty large commission. But, yeah, at least it's not owned by Google and what else are you going to do when most creators list this as their only option. I'm just confused when there's easy options like sending cash directly to their IBAN or using a nonprofit like Liberapay (they just have their own donation page and, instead of taking a cut, make money that way: https://liberapay.com/Liberapay)

[fakedang]

Folks be adopting all sorts of irrational arguments just so they can defend their habits. Do you also prefer having middlemen in other areas such as healthcare and education?

Creators can just as easily pop a Patreon or BuyMeACoffee these days in a few clicks. In fact, most creators constantly admit that Google pays them peanuts for their view counts. But support the leviathan for reasons unknown I guess.

[cbeley]

I also back people on patreon. Isn't it irrational to expect something for free? If you don't like the service or it doesn't align with your values, simply don't use it.

Also, isn't patreon also a middleman by your definition?

[j45]

It’s a personal choice.

Once someone reaches a level of individual support that’s fine.

YouTube remains a place for discovering channels and people and some people especially the majority who are not technical, can outwit a simple family fee.

I use YouTube premium more than I ever used for paying Netflix for far longer. Value (and proven convenience) is in the eyes of the user.

[WrongAssumption]

Patreon and BuyMeACoffee are middlemen...