Merry KishVarmennettu tili

I worked at GameSpot for years and we often got free stuff delivered to us (games, chairs, giant statues) and it never altered how we felt about the game at the end of the day. Any commenter saying it did, didn't understand our process and how rigorous it was.

The thing about smaller communities getting opportunities, its important to understand that companies (including Twitch) takes into account the influence of a community.

Have you ever seen a twitter account with 80K followers but nobody comments/likes? Brands are often more interested in an account with a dedicated following. This is more nuanced to judge, but typically revolves around consistency, interaction, and steady growth.

If someone received something, there's a perceived value add to it. That's why they have it, they earned it.

I think it's more about the "exclusivity" than the "gifting." Seeing a lot of people who are getting shipped high-end video cards and PS5's when the average consumer can't even PAY for it, you have to understand why this feels awful to the non-influencer.

It's the companies telling consumers that their only "value" is the benefit they can provide to the company. Which if you're super-pro-capitalism is like, cool or whatever... but for most of us, it just feels like another way we're devalued in an already devaluing society.

I hear you on the gross capitalism view, as well as how yuck it feels to not be in the golden club. But I do ask for you to consider the value associated with putting in the work (in both hours and money investment) to be able to get a seat at the table at all.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. I work hard. Most of us do. Someone working two jobs and supporting a family works hard, and we don't have "access" because the "hard work" we do doesn't "influence" others.