BeeOneTwoThree

Every competitive game has a ranking system. I do not see any issue playing and trying to improve, just reduce your expectations.

A lot of 20 year olds are trash in a lot of competitive games

I guess they don't have to profit, but I believe they do have to cover their expenses (salary, hosting, etc). This is needed with capatalism or any other model (yes I know they have huge profits sadly)

I do agree that the market is failing, where we have way to little competition. Or that maybe a alternative to capatilism would solve the issue.

But in every thread here I feel like most people just expect to use everything on the internet for free, which is absurd to me. Why would anyone host a service like youtube if you didnt get any income from the users? The server costs alone must be huge.

Why would people write articles if they do not get any money from it?

This might be an unpopular and ignorant take.

Services like Reddit, Twitter and Youtube needs to make money somehow. They provide a service that the users enjoy, and it is fair that they want componsation for those services. Aslong as they are upfront with how and what you are paying with I think it is fine, and the user can themself choose not to use the service if they feel like the payment is too high.

It seems like we are whining about not being able to watch quality content for free. Even Lemmy needs donations or kind souls to keep running.

The DRM and Chrome changes might be worse... But in the end it is the same base argument, we need more competition to reduce the price or stop using services we don't like / want to pay for.

If a service costs money, and you take that service for free without permission it is stealing. If I rent a car I don't own it. Is it not stealing to hijack a rental car for a few hours?

You can't have your cake and eat it too. You steal because it is easier or cheaper. Thats it.