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The problem is that you're mixing two things: > Whenever you go to buy your daily bread, or get a haircut, you do not need to stick to the same vendor This is

The problem is that you're mixing two things: > Whenever you go to buy your daily bread, or get a haircut, you do not need to stick to the same vendor This is absolutely not possible with non-commodities. If you want that YT producer's stuff, you have to go to them. You cannot switch to another "vendor". > or sign a contract with them, or otherwise care about ongoing relationship Well, that's certainly true, but I'm not sure what it really means given that you cannot switch suppliers.

TeMPOraL 3y ago
What you say applies in the limit. A lot of stuff is only sort-of non-commodity, i.e. you could always do without, and eventually substitute by something entirely different. However, my point is focused more on the relationship aspect. Even with a 100% unique, non-commodity creator, to whom I have to go to get my content fix, there's a difference between two scenarios: - I come if and when I want, consume content and/or support them in exchange for specific content, or as generic patronage - but otherwise, they do not force themselves into my mental space. - Like above, except I get spammed by the creator, especially with marketing material outside of what I care about; I have to remember to manage recurring payments 'lest I'll be unknowingly spending money on things I don't want; subjecting myself to the above is a de-facto condition to access the content I want. The ideal non-commodity recurring relation for me is almost purely transactional - I pay and get what I want in exchange, and nothing more, and otherwise can safely forget the vendor exists.