> This makes it sound like this is an overt decision by YouTube to stop monetizing a 3B1B video rather than an abuse of automated systems. The difference is important.
There is no difference. Google's overt decision to continue operating automated systems that enable this abuse is the cause, and that is unlikely to change because Google does not care. It is cheaper to allow abuse than to change their system (more human intervention and effort). "The purpose of the system is what it does."
If you as a creator decide to operate on a platform where the owner has no intention of changing their automated systems, and therefore this is a potential outcome, you are playing Russian roulette with your income stream (if any). That is a choice. Your income could disappear at any time with no recourse. There is no social contract at play between creators and Google, only Google optimizing for its shareholders.
There is no difference. Google's overt decision to continue operating automated systems that enable this abuse is the cause, and that is unlikely to change because Google does not care. It is cheaper to allow abuse than to change their system (more human intervention and effort). "The purpose of the system is what it does."
If you as a creator decide to operate on a platform where the owner has no intention of changing their automated systems, and therefore this is a potential outcome, you are playing Russian roulette with your income stream (if any). That is a choice. Your income could disappear at any time with no recourse. There is no social contract at play between creators and Google, only Google optimizing for its shareholders.