If you can’t make a reasonable attempt to answer your own question, you’re not here to argue in good faith.

“Why isn’t simply avoiding de facto standard video delivery platform isn’t simply an option?”

You brought up something I’ve been thinking about too: the real issue is that YouTube has effectively become a monopoly. It’s the de facto standard for online video.

It makes me wonder: is there room for meaningful competition or an alternative platform? And if so, how could it be made sustainable? Are there any viable revenue models beyond ads and surveillance capitalism?

Google has enough cash to squash any competitors. For now, the only remotely hopeful viable alternative is the creator-owned Nebula.