I mean… I can play a guitar reasonably well. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy concerts.
We aren’t far apart in age. Got rid of Facebook 6 years ago and never felt better. But I still watch gaming streams.
I’m sure there are a million little ways that all of us do and don’t align with one another in our preferences. That’s just life, you know?
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i dont think most people watching wow streams dont play wow
different strokes for different folks
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The Facebook thing was a non starter to me as soon as it came out. All social media really. It was like, “I went 20 some odd years without this thing, I certainly don’t need it now”.
Weird watching my dad use that stuff. It’s pretty funny actually.
I see that a lot though. People stop using Facebook and report being happier. Why is that?
I’ll watch arena tournaments and things like that, but I honestly don’t get the appeal people have towards watching basic streamers. The thought of sitting around watching someone quest/farm/troll/etc just doesn’t isn’t fun to me. 
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this is how i shoulda worded it better
For me in particular there is only a handful of streamers I can bare to watch for a period of time, if that. So I think I can shed a little light for my own opinion.
Me in particular i usually just watch the highlights of 1-2 streamers I enjoy on YouTube, and if I am watching them on twitch it’s just to see what they are up to and if they are streaming any good content (characters like dr disrespect are just good at it). But to me players like ninja, shroud, mithy, etc. are boring streamers to me.
Also, back in the day, I actually used to watch league of legends streamers a lot when I’d be at work etc and watching their movements and explanations made me a much better player and I peaked at diamond 2 because of it… so it’s not always just for entertainment reasons.
Edit: I do think a lot of viewers however do feel invested into the streamers and almost feel like they are friends in a sense especially when donating and subbing. For instance dr disrespect calls his subs the champions club, and I think a good majority feel it as a type of club everyone hangs out and watches and donates etc.
I’m sorry if I triggered you…oh wait I’m not sorry.
I’ll ask any question I like, deal with it.
Don’t confuse people who do it for a living and people who do it because they enjoy it. Those who do it for a living “the big names” are just fake personalities, extremely exaggerated in every way. Those are not enjoyable to watch for me at least.
I find speedrunning very enjoyable to watch. These days I very rarely watch variety streamers. It’s just like everything else in life, you either find something enjoyable or you do not.
I think most people who “dislike” streamers haven’t found the right ones. I was in the same boat when I started watching streamers back in 2008-2009(probably earlier). It’s just something that grows on you, especially as you get into categories that appeals to you. There are some great people out there, natural entertainers without even putting any effort into it.
I enjoy a few streamers that play games. Some of them are great to watch for strategies, puzzle pieces, hidden items.
On the other end of the spectrum, I like streaming because it has helped me lose my fear of talking to people. It’s a lot of fun having my little group of followers while I try out new games, or play with them in old ones. I’ve made long term relationships with people I stream for, and the ones who keep coming back clearly see something in my channel that is worth supporting.
Plus sharing those moments of hilarious in game fails is a lot of fun, and easy to clip from a stream.
Weird amount of threads popping up about streamers today.
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It’s physically unhealthy, for one. Looking at the stories and likes and mentions gives people a dopamine hit that becomes an addiction.
It’s also bad from a mental health standpoint. People get hooked on it for validation and end up comparing themselves to everyone else’s high points in life.
When you stop and your mind/body start to normalize, it’s a great feeling. It’s like picking up exercise after a long time being sedentary - you don’t realize how bad the current state feels until you begin to experience something better.
Did your fear of talking to people in person go away too (assuming you had that fear too)?
I only watch specific tv shows these days, and usually have a stream up on my second monitor.
TV is so awful. I was listening to some show my gf was watching the other day. Unbelievable how terrible TV is these days.
I’ve certainly read that people on FB are much less happy because they compare their real life with someone else’s carefully curated version of a life. Makes sense.
Always seemed like a hollow experience to me as an outsider. Glad I never participated.
I don’t watch streams of games being played. I’d rather just play the game. I suppose if I was playing the game at a high level and thought I could gain tips/tricks/tactics from the very elite level players I would, but I’m not.
Yeah, it’s all a mess. The sooner that stuff goes away, the better. I have no trouble keeping up with people I care about. Calendars still exist and can tell you when someone’s birthday is coming up, phones still work, email and text still exist for quickly reaching out to someone.
Turns out we don’t need to hook ourselves up to information vampires in order to stay in touch. Who knew?
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Or lack there of.
It’s like the fishing and hunting shows. I do enjoy seeing the outdoors in some of the hunting shows when they are in the mountains but watching someone fish is boring.
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There are people who’d consider a 37 year old that plays video games odd.