I mean it's not cynical (at least not anymore than your initial comment), it's what we're doing and why I used another entertainment option as a point of comparison.

Of all the things on Twitch the value of Hot Tub streams seem very upfront and I think it's pretty telling that there are vanishingly few successful streamers doing it and that for all the hot air people spew about its a very niche part of the site.

Same as with paying to see a Disney movie: entertainment. It's just a bit more interactive, since streamers are a bit more likely to interact with you after you give them money.

>since streamers are a bit more likely to interact with you after you give them money

ohwee! the streamer might read out your username along with a scripted line after a 5 dollar subscription!1Eleven

Is there a point you're failing at making? In my mind it's no different than, say, voting for contestants on talent shows, or paying a camgirl, or pay-per-view WWE events. Same thing targeting a different demographic.

I think the word you are looking for is entertainment. You may not appreciate the value of said entertainment, but then I don't really see a merit of donkey shows, Kanye or just about any other entertainment figure. That is the value.

And by its very nature, it is ephemeral.

> At least when i donate to blue origin i get something tangible delivered to my door.

Undelivered promises and lawsuits against NASA to slow down space exploration for all of us ?

Money transfer does not necessarily mean mutually beneficial transfer of value. Another example of this is theft.

It's a service. Service is a product that is consumed when it's produced.

I mean, in all honesty it's entertainment. To me Marvel is better but someone prefer hot tubs.