I have trouble understanding how the opinions of the historical right to repair guy are surprising or even considered drama, it’s not drama because it’s not interpersonal gossip, it’s right to repair activism.

Yeah I agree, it’s almost a political drama channel at this point and his opinions lack nuance.

I don’t understand why an article from Tom’s Hardware about an opinion of Louis Rossman who tells a 3D printer maker to go fuck themselves is currently the most upvoted article on HN.

Right up there with the Not Just Bikes guy on YouTube who used to talk about how transit-oriented cities are great or would show some positive stuff from somewhere. Now it's just endless videos about how cars suck, cities suck, even a lot of transit sucks. The constant negativity is such a put-off.

With Louis, it's been a journey of "how I learn to stop worrying and enjoy the angry repain guy"

He gets a bunch of things wrong since it's mostly reactionary content but he is willing to correct himself when he gets things wrong.

He does a lot to prevent companies from screwing over customers and that in of itself is good enough that in willing to overlook his flaws

90% of his content is about advocating for consumer rights like ownership and repair, most of which is documented and sourced on his wiki [1]. If the only thing you see here is "drama and outrage" then you're not the target audience and you should return to mindless consumption until such a time that you find yourself affected.

[1] https://consumerrights.wiki/w/Main_Page

His passion does manifest as drama 90% of the time, but it’s somewhat necessary to build momentum and attention to the causes that he promotes. Also, he has to toe the line of opinion to avoid being slapped with spurious legal challenges.

I am completely against the outrage and drama cycle of all media. But as a matter of fact, this is clearly what drives views in today’s world so it’s nice when someone consistently getting millions of views at least chooses to support something good once in a while.

I much prefer channels that don’t use this way of gaining views, but they, because of that, don’t gain nearly as many views.

I have no skin in this game, but it’s pretty clear what the majority of viewers want.

I often find him a bit much myself, but don't doubt his passion, and even if I did, I would only express that opinion publicly accompanied by supporting evidence, because using phrases like "people fall for his shtick" is essentially implying deliberate fraud, and that doesn't seem to be something you should throw around lightly.

I don't think an opinion becomes more based in reality by sticking the words "As a matter of fact" in front of them.

So did the situation change to the better?

If not, why should he stop?

I don't see it as a problem.

Although I have to say, I think Louis was making better videos when he was in New York. I understand the financial situation where New York really abuses people, but I am just looking at the videos. I can't say whether that decision was what changed, but I noticed that the content changed a lot once he relocated outside of New York.

However had, I disagree with the "drama" comment. I would call it more that the movement became more important, which is fine, in my opinion. Right to repair isn't that different from many other movements where we people try to get more rights back again. See the right to videotape public officials in performing their public jobs and so on. It is all connected.

Thank you. My Bambu printer works excellently. The previous one I bought years ago is still going strong with a friend now. When parts wear out, I can easily get official, known quality replacements.

I have never had a problem with the software, the outrage is totally manufactured to have something to complain about. Louis was fun to listen to for a while, but his schtick is so tired now.

> Rossman is a drama YouTuber, like many others.

I dont see how he is “like many others”. A lot of YouTubers cover controversy for controversy sake, or just as material for another sponsored video. He does not do sponsored content, and usually seems to push for something concrete around consumer rights. So I think the comparison to other drama Youtubers is unfair.

In my view, the drama is more a way to draw attention to his activism. He does tend to put his money and time where his mouth is.

But perhaps my view is biased, since I only see the videos the YouTube algorithm suggests to me, and those may be the ones that are more focused on consumer rights than drama. Still, that has consistently been my impression.

This is an uncharitable take. Rossman has actual repair expertise, founded the consumer rights wiki to help organize activists that want to forward right to repair, and attends public meetings to discuss these topics with local governments. His YouTube channel raises awareness, but there's a lot of substance behind the style.

https://consumerrights.wiki/w/Main_Page