If an entity takes measures to ensure that its service becomes the de-facto default in an area, that entity gives up its entitlement to dictate the terms of use of that service. We need something like this in our systems of ethics, or we permit Freedom Monsters (ref: https://existentialcomics.com/comic/259). Note that this isn't the only solution, but I expect other solutions to have the same shape.
If Google didn't promote YouTube so heavily, permitted channels to migrate to other services (like how they permit Blogger blogs to migrate to other websites), bundled a generic streaming video player with Android (e.g. VLC) instead of the YouTube app… then maybe I'd be more sympathetic to the position of content blocker opponents. To convince me to pay for YouTube, you have to offer me something other than "we've locked a capability of your computer away, but you can get it back if you pay us!".
iOS can play audio with the screen off and doesn’t require YT premium. Bit of an OS hack but it’s just a few taps:
-Start your YT video (from iOS app)
-Swipe up to have the floating player while it plays.
-Swipe down from top center to bring down your notifications bar. The video will automatically pause but you’ll have the large play button right there.
-Hit play
-while still on the notification bar screen, and while the audio starts playing again: Swipe down from the top right corner to bring up your control center.
- now turn off your screen and audio should still play.
This has been working for me for a while. Don’t recall where i first came across it but it’s been a few years now.
I don’t use it often because I have streaming services with higher audio quality but it’s nice to not worry about accidentally tapping the screen while listening to YT. Esp if you wanna keep the phone in your pocket. Also saves battery juice.
You can also start the video in the web browser (haven’t tried the app), turn off the screen, turn it back on, hit play on lock screen, turn the screen off again. Podcasts for poor people
Hackers will spend unlimited amounts of time and energy to argue why they shouldn't pay for something. I think it was the Dalai Lama who said that the highest ethical principle that exists is to use things without paying for them, and that it is in fact the people providing goods and services who are oppressing the people who are using them. But I could have remembered wrong.
