That's exactly the point. I think the $2 are an investment into the quality of the thing I'm about to consume, and if I'm going to invest the 40 minutes anyway

That's exactly the point. I think the $2 are an investment into the quality of the thing I'm about to consume, and if I'm going to invest the 40 minutes anyway I'd like to make this little extra investment to support the makers. Of course that's no guarantee I will like it, but you take that kind of risk with every new thing you buy.