I believe there is value in it. By not knowing about some negative role model like these youtube personalities, when my nephews are talking about them I can be more believably disinterested if I don’t know who they are. When they attempt to explain the person my continued disinterest helps them realize the person they follow isn’t that great, since they rarely do great things and my nephews might realize that as they search for reasons why they watch them. If I use my time to learn about more positive role models and activities instead, it’s easier to shift their opinions to something better. I can’t just say “X person sucks, don’t watch them” since that usually only further entrenches them in watching the drivel.

an example is when I pulled out my raspberry pi, plugged it into their tv and started playing retrogames, ignoring them while they were talking about some LTT video because i thought it was boring. it wasn’t long before they dropped their conversation and were focused on what i was doing, as I played various games on it. now they seem more interested in learning how to do that, instead of mindlessly watching some idiot.

i know that is a weak argument. i know i can also come up with examples of times my ignorance has been detrimental. like regarding idiotic political figures whom i should have learned more about, to help inform people of why they are bad, instead of sticking my head in the sand until things got a lot worse.

so i see and understand your point that it’s better to not be ignorant about internet celebrities and awful people. i still feel it is better to spend time focusing on better things, hoping that my chosen interests can outweigh my choice to ignore idiots. in the long run it all comes down to opinions i suppose.