@Cyber Bowling Don't worry about it too much. Phil have a cult following. And as long as people are willing to invest so much time as you caring about him. I think he would be fine. He has a pretty unique personality, and when it comes to streaming, and if people is willing to support you or not this is what matters.
Phil is in a situation most streamers only will dream of. Sure there are people that is bigger, and have a bigger following for various reasons. But think of it this way. When you can pull in at least 300 people to your stream, and still average a decent amount of views on youtube. You have no reason to stop.
A key thing in marketing is growth, and even if youtube is a diminishing marked, his twitch following is increasing. So it's not all bad news.
I think he could be smart and do things that boost his community even more, and bring in more people to watch him. But I can see why he don't want to invest more in it. Because expanding would also mean you have more to manage. And I have to say, the amount of people that come out to watch his stream is pretty perfect.
In the sense that it's not to many, but yet a decent enough amount to keep the interaction going.
Phil have some very generous donors, and they would like to see him continue, and Phil himself have expressed that this is what he would like to do.
If it is unhealthy to do what his doing? Maybe, but just from a purely marked perspective. He shouldn't have anything to fear. Streams is what he focuses on, and that marked is growing.
We don't know what the world would look like in a decade. Or even further in to the future. If phil wants he can quit today. No one is forcing him to do this. But in all honesty, he have a job that revolves around playing video games a few hours a day. Would you rather change that to earn less at some mundane job?
Did people 10 years ago think that some middle aged guy could sit around his house and make a living like this?
I have no idea.
But it sure ain't hurting no body other then themselves.
I don't buy your argument that supporting phil is reinforcing bad behavior. I think that streaming games and being a one man show is totally legit. And something people should be allowed to do.
If he says "support me if you like to see me keep on doing this." you support him in order for him to keep doing it.
If you don't like to see him continue, suggest another way. Don't just say cut of his income and he'll figure something out.
For most people gaming is a hobby and something that is done for leisure. They don't have to rely on it to be their income. Once it is a job it probably changes the aspect of it. And probably even more so if it's a struggling business.
But if it has become a really major part of your identity your will probably go down in flames rather then give up in the hope of some prosperity.
I would like to see phil enjoy some good times and see some prosperity.
And the real issue many here seem to have an objection against that. And totally ignore Phils human side and genuinely feel good when he feels bad, and just want him to fail for whatever reason.
Someone is doing downright sabotage to fuck things over him, and hate him. Not only that, but have a fanatical attitude towards the guy. Most likely to mask their own miserable existence. It's proven that the worst trolls and bullies have some really bad personal issues. So they are maybe the people that deserve some sympathy. I don't know.
There is nothing weird with my relationship with phil. I just see someone that needs some help and support, in a torrent of people that treat him unfairly.