Do you feel like you owe YouTube vloggers anything?

Turkey · March 27, 2016, 07:07:15 PM

I've been checking out some relatively new YouTube vloggers (not really the right word but I can't think of what to say...'people that run YouTube channels'), and pretty much all of them ask for Patreon donations (or some other method), and typically avoid ads (though some have them, or do a sponsored bit of advertising at the end of their video). So my question is, do you feel that you owe these people some sort of compensation for their content? I wouldn't hesitate to say that disabling ads on people like this is tantamount to theft, but if they ask for support through something like Patreon, at what point do you feel morally (not legally or otherwise) obligated to contribute something?

Verbatim · March 27, 2016, 07:11:44 PM

No. They're uploading the videos on a free video sharing website, so of course I don't feel like I owe them anything. They're not doing anything for me specifically, and I've never asked any of them to do anything for me, so what exactly do I owe them? They run their channels and post videos on their own volition, and I watch them sometimes.

If they want people to start paying for their content, they can use a different service.

However, I do give people the courtesy of not running Adblock, because I'm not a scumfuck like that.

aREALgod · March 27, 2016, 07:14:58 PM

I use AdBlock because ads are fucking cancer. I wish everyone used AdBlock so we could be rid of youtube ads forever and they stop putting them up

R o c k e t · March 27, 2016, 07:15:01 PM

I don't feel obligated.

If I have extra cash, feel extra generous, and really enjoy the content I "might" consider donating. Maybe it's because I'm used to paying for seeing a movie at theaters, while watching youtube videos for free at any time. But I've never felt compelled to compensate people.

If a band has music videos on their channel I'll buy their product if I like it. Vloggers aren't usually marketing a product, but rather their words and ideas. So I'm less inclined.

big sponge · March 27, 2016, 07:16:46 PM

No, but I also despise the patreon model as a whole.

eggsalad · March 27, 2016, 07:17:49 PM

I like video communities when it's not about fueling entertainment careers. This whole career-minded mentality creates a divide in the community between fans and producers IMO. Videos are better when they're a hobby and not a job.

Verbatim · March 27, 2016, 07:20:37 PM

Patreon is pretty despicable, yeah. Anything that enables e-begging is just sleazy as fuck.

Ian · March 27, 2016, 07:20:57 PM

The only thing I've done for a Youtube vlogger was make a thank you video showing off my new computer because I binge watched all his computer building videos for like two weeks straight before I actually got all my parts so I would know what I was doing.

maverick · March 27, 2016, 07:53:48 PM

There is one account I'm subscribed to who uploads a big project video roughly semi-annually and puts it on a different website at first for around $2 before uploading it to YouTube about a month or two later. I could easily just wait for them but I've paid for them before, mostly because I want to contribute. It's not asking for much at all considering how much time and money goes into these videos.

Other than that, I don't think I've ever donated to any other Youtube accounts. Several of the accounts I'm subscribed to have patreon accounts but never shove them in your face beyond a link in the description so I don't feel extremely obligated to donate. Also most accounts are just people talking to a camera with images or something showing on screen.

DAS B00T x2 · March 27, 2016, 07:55:30 PM

They get my clicks, sometimes my likes.

Cheat · March 27, 2016, 08:13:25 PM

Some of the larger uploaders offer a CD or shirt or book or something, which helps support them and gives you something cool to take home. I'd be more for something like that, but I've never bought or donated to anything besides a couple go fund me things (DBZ Light of Hope is the shit).

R o c k e t · March 27, 2016, 10:51:23 PM

Quote from: Cheat on March 27, 2016, 08:13:25 PM

Some of the larger uploaders offer a CD or shirt or book or something, which helps support them and gives you something cool to take home. I'd be more for something like that, but I've never bought or donated to anything besides a couple go fund me things (DBZ Light of Hope is the shit).

You don't tip but you'll donate to people on the internet?

Cheat · March 27, 2016, 11:08:52 PM

Quote from: Rocketman287 on March 27, 2016, 10:51:23 PM

Quote from: Cheat on March 27, 2016, 08:13:25 PM
Some of the larger uploaders offer a CD or shirt or book or something, which helps support them and gives you something cool to take home. I'd be more for something like that, but I've never bought or donated to anything besides a couple go fund me things (DBZ Light of Hope is the shit).

You don't tip but you'll donate to people on the internet?

I did it once. And no, I don't tip. Get over it, m8.

challengerX · March 28, 2016, 05:27:05 AM

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Jester · March 28, 2016, 09:59:20 AM

Boogie2988 is one of the only sane people left on the earth, so I guess I owe him something.

Mike · March 28, 2016, 04:12:06 PM

I've never donated to any YouTubers, but I understand why they ask and I don't hold anything against them for asking.