You Tubers and Patreon

Hello Dear Readers, I have a topic weighing on my mind concerning homesteading you tubers. As I have been viewing you tube for topics of projects we desire to achieve, I have noticed several channels, and they are growing,  of them that are asking for donations through Patreon and other various outlets, to 'help them continue making their videos, keep the homestead going, etc.' How is this keeping in with what they all state as to their reason of homesteading,  'self sustainability'.  They are not, for they are now asking for help and relying on others to further their endeavors. 

I came upon a you tuber just recently who voiced her opinion of this and she addressed each topic of concern and more, that I have. I was glad to hear I was not the only one noticing this change on you tube, but it is not only homesteaders, it is many others with various channels, which is not concerning to me, as it is with the homestead ones simply for their 'reasons' for doing what they are.  I agree with
Michigansnowpony,  that if there is a serious happening, as lengthy illness, death, accident of great degree, I am for helping, everyone needs help once in a while, but to ask for on going donations in the way of help, NO.

Michigansnowpony also mentioned how many of the homesteaders on you tube are now competing with one another, as to draw subscribers, gimmicks being used, almost as they are like 'reality' t.v. shows.  I have seen ones start out with a humblness to educate by pro's and con's of what they are doing on their homesteads, everyone being different of the how's and where's, but as they grow in numbers, they loose that humbleness and become like facebook,  always,  look at me, all the 'selfies' they put out in a day or week. Some began with just one video a week or month, yet this does not satisfy the subscribers, they want more, so the pressure begins for the you tuber to put out more. And on a homestead, of any size, if one is truly keeping their focus on being 'self sustainable'  they really have not the time to put out many videos for the time the homestead takes and simply for the time it takes to make one. Another point is that subscribers begin to want to know more and more of the personal goings on of the you tubers, as many fall into letting them see more and more which is dangerous. But if it draws the numbers oh well. And the more subscribers, the more ads on their channel therefore the more $ the channel gets.  What  a racket.  It really is getting disgusting.  I wonder if any true old timers of homesteading, if they view any of these new ones, are shaking their heads in disgust as well.

So, I am pulling out my 20+ years of magazines and old books on farming, homesteading and my Fox Fire collection and reading once again more and more than going to you tube.  In these hands on paper filled resources, I find the real gems of ideas and encouragement to keep focused and press on with our homestead.

In Joy