Demonetization Vs Freedom

YouTube is in a panic. In an overreaction to some real issues, they are putting serious limits on numerous channels. Two big restrictions are demonetization, where ads are removed, and the shutting down of comment sections. Both affect a YouTuber’s income. Removing ad revenue is pretty direct -no ads, no advertising income. Shutting down the comment section affects how popular a site is. Popularity affects how much income it can generate.

So why is this important to me? I don’t have a YouTube channel. What concerns me is that it’s now just that much harder to make a living while traveling. Video channels are good money making options for people who love to travel. The two nomadic communities I follow most often are those living out of their vehicles and those living on boats. Both of them generate content by showing the lifestyle and all the interesting things to do along the way. A big part of their allure is as a how to do it yourself.

Quite a few of these people have come to rely on YouTube income to support their travels. Many people are putting in crazy hours filming and editing their product. Only a handful make serious money at it. However, quite a few get enough to live at a subsistence level. Many others are happy to have a few extra bucks for fuel and repairs.

There are only so many ways to generate income while enjoying the freedom of nomadic living. In the past a lot of people only began to travel when they retired. Defined benefit retirement plans often provided a decent living and it’s too bad those are pretty much a thing of the past.

Another way to generate income is to have investments. If you are clever and lucky, you could have passive income from that. It could be everything from stocks to rental income. Of course, those things generally require a certain amount of hands on management. By working hard, investing well, and having a certain amount of luck, it’s possible to live as a nomad before you are ancient.

Many nomads of years ago made their living from selling articles to magazines or publishing books. Unfortunately, magazines are dying and their author payment budgets reflect that. Book publishing has always been hit or miss.

I guess I’m concerned about a few things here. There’s the fact that one of the few good money making outlets for nomads is now shaky. It’s hard to live free when everything costs so much. Then there’s the realization that big companies can crush us little guys at will.

The only way to travel free will be as a vagabond tramp with a backpack. I’m getting too old and out of shape to hop trains.

-Sixbears