I do not know since when I have \u00a0Premium YouTube\u00a0, but the first track in my mail is a cancellation notice from \u00a0September 2018\u00a0. Spoiler:<\/em> At two months, I went back to discharge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is something uncomfortable for many people to admit that they pay for \u00a0YouTube Premium\u00a0. It is like confessing that you have succumbed to sophisticated blackmail. But here I am, admitting it publicly. I keep paying for it, and I don’t regret it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I took the plunge after an \u00a0annoying epiphany\u00a0: I was watching a long video and it interrupted me for the fifth time with an advertisement. It wasn’t just the irritation; it was the \u00a0overwhelming feeling of being manipulated by an algorithm\u00a0 that had calculated exactly how much it could annoy me before I left the platform. Google knows that \u00a0YouTube\u00a0 is a de facto monopoly and acts as such.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n YouTube Premium has dramatically changed how I consume content.<\/strong> Without interruptions, I can follow long documentaries without losing the thread. The platform has reverted back to being a library of knowledge, rather than a sequence of irritating advertisements. Furthermore, content creators benefit from my subscription more than they would from ads, which enhances the entire ecosystem. And with \u00a0YouTube Music\u00a0 as a bonus, I\u2019ve found the perfect alternative to platforms like Apple Music.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, the model is \u00a0perverse yet effective\u00a0: it degrades the free experience to a point where it becomes completely annoying, and then conveniently offers the solution. It works because \u00a0YouTube has normalized a generation\u00a0 to endure constant interruptions. We have normalized cutting our focus every three minutes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But here comes the most insidious aspect: \u00a0Premium is a gateway drug to an interruption-free experience\u00a0. Once you taste that level of comfort, returning to the ad-ridden version becomes impossible. Google is well aware of this; they\u2019ve not only drawn us into their content but have also hooked us on their version of digital comfort.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The time saved from avoiding ads translates to more time dedicated to what truly interests me. It is pure self-defense in an economy that monetizes our attention and distractions extensively. \u00a0Each avoided announcement represents time reclaimed,\u00a0 time I can allocate to activities that I genuinely care about.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I’ve been paying for years and I will likely continue to do so.<\/strong> Not because I believe the system is fair, but because I’ve resolved that my mental tranquility is worth much more than my resistance. In an era dominated by digital monopolies, this is the closest thing to freedom of choice we are likely to encounter these days.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In summary, subscribing to YouTube Premium is about more than just avoiding ads; it’s a choice for a smoother, more enjoyable experience in a world where \u00a0attention and focus\u00a0 are becoming increasingly commoditized. While it may seem like a \u00a0luxury\u00a0 to some, for many it\u2019s a necessity that provides peace of mind and a chance to engage with content in a more meaningful way.<\/p>\n Outstanding image | Omar al-Ghosson<\/a><\/p>\n