This website is a good one:
Discussion
had a look, yeah i can get both sides of the argument... I have often thought it needs a solution in the middle.
I won't pay for an article i just read for free, BUT if i could read the first third of an article for free and then be offered "read the rest for 300 sats" of COURSE I would click that button...
You have to prevent free-riding and allow donations... fine balance, but possible!!
one solution might be even to say
"hey you have to pay to read, BUT after reading you will be given the option to get the sats back"
I think it's one thing to read something FOR FREE but another to demand money back for an article you considered worthy...
Another option might be for you to read something and realize you’ve actually gained something from it and then give a little bit back. If you found it worthless then move on.
Many, perhaps even most, will take advantage and consume/enjoy content without giving back, like you said you would selfishly do. But in the end that’s ok because there are enough people who aren’t selfish and who realize that life is not a free ride for anyone and they usually end up supporting more than they need to.
I support your view, that V4V is actually donating for something that was valuable for you. I think it is therefor powerful, since it is kind of a libre-opensource- philosophy. So everyone should be able to read the content for free. And those who have the money to support the creator, do so. Like this people from poor circumstances still get full access.