How Subscriptions RUINED the Internet (and everything else)

These days, EVERYTHING is subscription based. From the movies we watch, the music we listen to, and even the calculators on our phones — subscriptions are ruining the internet. And everything else too…

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Script: Courtney Bill
Editor: Melody David
Project Manager: Lurana McClure Rodríguez
Host: Levi Hildebrand

[allanjmcpherson]

The option to rent something you only need once seems sensible. Renting something you might use for years and paying more than you would to buy it just seems like a terrible deal.

[Rakadis]

Obligatory "You will own nothing and you will be happy" and "If buying isn't owning, piracy isn't stealing".

[Ponkotsu]

"70% forget/rarely use their subscription services"

This has to be a 1st world problem thing I'm too poor to understand.

[ENR_NE]

$273 a month? 😳
That’s insanity, call me cheap, but for me that just insanity.

[Anonyhouse]

If buying isn't owning, PIRACY ISN'T STEALING.

[forgetthatgirl]

Gen X here, miss the days where you could buy standalone software (ms office, adobe etc) and that was it. Now you’re paying a monthly fee till you die! Or cancel whichever comes sooner

[Thatonegirl]

I know we all saw it coming but the way streaming services completely lied and turned in to cable again irritates me.

[andyinsdca]

One of the interesting side effects of not owning music or movies is that if your provider decides to stop carrying it, it's gone forever. I still buy CDs and DVDs specifically because of this. This is a big threat when it comes to controversial media like Blazing Saddles.

[Larry]

I absolutely despise subscription processes. Unless I can purchase the item outright, I'll find other means to aquire it.

[dh]

Yeah.. you know what subscription annoys me the most? The one to my Apartment...

[RowleyFan]

I don't regret all the viruses, I got REALLY good at cleaning my PC and also avoiding viruses now, LMAO

[monev]

Thanks for reminding me to cancel my 1 month Amazon Prime Free Trial.

[stefandebruijn]

I hate subscriptions. I want to buy something high quality that serves me for a long time and this is becoming harder and harder...

[dearyvettetn]

My son experienced this today when he had to spend his outdoor workday without music because the area of town he worked in today had a cellar service outage. So in addition to not owning any music you are deprived of its use when you loose communication with the provider of that service.

[amicaaranearum]

We need a law that requires companies to make it just as easy to unsubscribe as it is to subscribe. If it takes two clicks to subscribe, it ought to take two clicks to unsubscribe. If I can sign up for a gym membership online, I shouldn’t need to go in person or send certified mail to cancel the membership.

[pokekohn]

Every time i see a paid subscription i imagine a pirate hat speaking to me like the green goblin mask

[AnonyMouse]

As a long time viewer of this channel, I've concluded that...
1. If it's free, I'm the product (for advertisers)
2. If I own it, I'll have ownership costs (storage, maintenance, etc)
3. If I subscribe, I'll pay forever (like renting)
4. If I do without, I lose out! (because I'm poor)

[coachDANDY]

It's so uniquely dystopian that there are subscription services to help find and unsubscribe from unwanted services one might still be subbed to

[domm]

Shout out to Louis Rossmann and his amazing consumer advocacy. He's the main man publicly spearheading the right to repair movement, and he delves into the fact your ownership is being taken away. His videos are always entertaining. The man does not hold back. I highly recommend watching.

[generalcatkaa]

Subscription streaming devalues media. There was a time when a show or movie had to be good enough to justify a movie ticket, or an in-store purchase, or at LEAST the effort to turn on the TV at the same time every day. Now, they only have to be good enough to be background noise while you fold your laundry.

It's the difference between "I like this movie; I will pay for it specifically" and "I've already paid for this service - I might as well watch something."