>>8779983Does it make you gay to waifu a girl from a manga or light novel because her character was drawn by a man?
This is basically the level of argumentation a lot of people are stuck at in these kinds of discussions, something that both the 'you are only supporting some 3d basic bitch roastie you cuck' sides and the 'you should shut up and be happy to support some basic bitch roastie you cuck' sides are not able to understand. In a lot of cases, a virtual streamer isn't just streaming [themselves, but with a stream overlay], they are streaming something that is more than themselves, a *product*.
It is *the product that is being presented* that is important. Lots of men love anime waifus because, in a lot of cases, it presents an image of a valuable good that they desire, that they basically never see or have basically no hope of having in their lives today (ie, virginal women, besides other things). Naturally likewise, you see lots of viewers prefer it when a virtual streamer doesn't imply that they are already owned by a man or are roasties that have passed in and out of the ownership of men in the past, and you see lots that are quite understandably put off if they do. Once again, it is about the art that is created, and a good artist who creates 'works' in this medium is one that is able to not undermine that work.
The key to understanding the general appeal of an idol is right there in the name: idol. An idol is an idealization that expresses or represents or embodies traits that you would like to see in other people - and often more specifically, traits that you would like to see in a mate.
When a man finds himself goosing over a chuuba, it is because the particular aesthetic framework of his limbic system has pattern-matched on the qualities of the chuuba he is watching. The exact details of what exact qualities may differ between different kinds of folk, but the common sentiment between them is the distincting factor of the phenomena: 'man, i wish i knew a girl like this'.
Characters from passive media, like shows, comics, novels, and so on, are essentially totems. They are not emmanent in this world, in the sense of being something you can interact with, but exist rather as ideals in the mind that represent those sets of characteristics you find valuable. For everyone that likes Miku, there is a Miku that exists for them in their mind.
Activities like virtual casting can overlap with this in some ways, since as we have noted the essence of an idol is also as someone who represents an ideal of characteristics one might find valuable. But it is also different in other ways, because it is springing from someone who is emmanent in this world, through a format that is more emmanent in this world. Thus, it is possible that one could say they are a fan of a work itself, and wish to support it; and it is also possible that one could say they wish to support of the producer of a work, so that they can continue to deliver; and it is also possible for each of these aspects and more besides, to be in play at the same time; such being a unique aspect of the medium.
Some can find this easier than others. They might be 'naturals' that can find it more easy to participate in some certain archetypes than others; they might have skills, talents, and social grace that also makes more easy to make something good; but whatever the provenance, it is if it results in a good product in the end that is what matters.
Perhaps this is something bicycles with burnt out oxytocin receptors are no longer or never were capable of understanding, but it's possible for a streamer to genuinely care about their audience/supporters, and genuinely care about the 'product' they're providing them. If all one is interested in is just 'being yourself', and you expect people to shower you with validation for just 'being yourself', regardless of what that actually is... then you're just a disposable low quality human, and shouldn't be surprised or indignant if people don't care to tune in to watch something they already see everywhere in daily life.
