Some thoughts on Patreon

So, I saw something this morning that irked me enough to make me want to comment about it.

I saw someone offering art commissions, but only to people who were Patreon supporters of a certain level. Wow. You have become a horrible corporate scumbag.

You have just done the same thing that professional sports teams do that everyone hates. You have made your own "Personal Seat Licenses" for your art.
What some sports teams do (PSL):

1. You have to pay for the right to buy season tickets (buying the PSL).
2. You can then pay more money for those tickets.
3. You have to pay them for the right to pay them more.

What some artists have done (via Patreon):

1. You have to pay for the right to buy a commission (paying them money via Patreon).
2. You can them pay more money to have them do your commission.
3. You have to pay them for the right to pay them more.

This is disgusting capitalism at some of its worst. Congratulations, you have become the very thing so many of you claim to hate.

Anyways, Patreon is just panhandling on the internet. It is to panhandling what clicktivism is to activism.
Lots of people have trouble with bills, rent, and medical issues. Not all of them beg for money on the internet. There are many people I see doing so online. It's their right to do it, but how defensive and smug they get about it is appalling. Go ahead and beg if you must, but be honest about it and have some humility. Rarely do you see a person panhandling on the street also being smug about what they are doing...