I think most people would just buy it at walmart who's selling it for $44, or amazon where it's also being sold for $44 ("by Playstation".) 3rd gen chromecast (is that not sufficient to stream video?) is $35.

So $79 vs $130/136. That's quite a lot to many people. You can pick the more expensive options to make a point I guess, though I'm not sure what that point would be.

except that stadia requires an ultra

You can pick the options that won't work to make a point I guess, though I'm not sure what that point would be.

What about it requires the more expensive option? If an entry level chromecast can stream from youtube, why can't it stream from stadia?

Maybe google is only willing to sell hardware equivalent to the ultra for use with stadia, but I don't see how that's a technical requirement. It seems like a business decision, and as such, is fair game for criticism.

yes, they just decided to restrict the stadia audience and endanger its launch in order to peddle a bit more chromecast, makes total sense.