Today’s development is that I’m committing theft from content creators on YouTube.

OK. So, you think I, as an unemployed writer, am responsible for “content creators”? What the fuck does that mean, anyway? I’ve shot porn, written lots of columns and editorials, and taken photos.

This is back when we didn’t call it “content.” So what’s your point? Up-and-comers need more money than corporate America and me?

I’m going to need a more compelling argument than “you’re stealing if you use an adblocker.” I simply don’t have the energy to point out that if losing work as an editor makes me a thief, you should direct your ire to the media companies that no longer care to hire us.

If I were making six figures and owned my home, as I should at 46, sure … fair play. I can afford YouTube Premium. Neither is true, so this feels mostly like a case of “shut up, nationally award-winning pleb who has literally run newspapers; you don’t understand the media industry.”

And in a manner of speaking, they’re right. I understood it only while we had the audacity to commit journalism.