Running a YouTube channel is not a viable way to make a living unless you have an existing audience or get blessed by the algorithm. There is an oversupply of people making video content, and only a small portion of them succeed. Plus you are at the mercy of YouTube’s frequently changing ad revenue terms (the “Ad-pocaplyse”) and opaque demonetization/takedown rules.
Trying to become a tenured professor in the humanities isn't a viable way to make a living for most of those people either. Only a small portion of them succeed. Plus you are at the mercy of the faculty committee's frequently changing selection criteria.
