@simon I have been trying to decide exactly where I stand on this subject since joining the fediverse. It is obviously a hot topic.

On one hand, I understand that people need money to survive. I love watching talented and competent people working everyday miracles.

But I remember the Internet from the days before monetization was a thing. Advertising and the requirements for advertising has more or less ruined the feel of the place. Everyone has a patreon these days and I hate everything is fight for clicks and follows.

The example I would highlight is the lock-picking lawyer on YouTube. Fantastic and oddly compelling in the early videos, but the whole "you can buy this really niche tool on my website" shtick in every video is just crass.

Point is there is a line somewhere. I don't mind the sell, but can we lose the constant hard sell?