I really hope Google keeps moving in this direction. I think it will be great for the company's long term reception and I'm excited to apply this to my own life.
Personal lack of self control is the problem, not good UX. A tool like this is attempting to assist with the problem, not bring the functionality of the site to a point that services the shortcomings of the lowest common denominator.
You and I may understand the need to engage in self-control and personal responsibility for sites like YouTube, but that's because you and I have an insiders' perspective on the dangers of not doing so.
YouTube has precipitously catered to the lowest common denominator and took advantage of their mass gullability. It is overwhelmingly obvious that YouTube designed their site in a way that would get people addicted to the point of needing a tool like this. The fact that they auto-play videos when they know the viewer is a child is downright disgusting.
YouTube did this instead of taking a more sophisticated approach of catering to directors, actors, and producers. YouTube had the chance to elevate the conversation and make digital media higher-minded, but instead decided to cater to people making content for the lowest common denominator - stupid, shlocky trash. The fact that you refer to what YouTube provides as "content" shows that you are not at all concerned with the way that YouTube has cheapened our digital media in order to get people hopelessly hooked.
Just because one can do something effective to increase the immediate bottom line and revenues of their product, doesn't mean they should. I am all about personal responsibility and I do agree that the blame largely lands on the individual at the end of the day. But YouTube is obviously preying on these individuals' largesse and that is just as immoral as being a lazy slob that watches YouTube all day is. YouTube could have taken a proactive approach and showed the world how the web could enable much higher quality video, while limiting your digital footprint. But instead, they did the opposite, which is why I refuse to publish on their "platform."
I don't personally see a significant difference here versus something like cable TV. Do you think this issue carries over into that domain as well?
YouTube makes an effort to construct a unique and never-ending journey, filled with unpredictable outcomes. This constant "freshness" is something that they should have been a lot more careful introducing to the public. It not only makes viewing habits unpredictable, it also adds to the addictive nature of the platform.
EDIT: I'll also add, that it is not at all flattering to be considered on the same level as cable television. YouTube has simply taken their awful concepts and multiplied them to the Nth degree.
Weird. My experience is that their recommendation algorithm is absolutely god awful at picking videos I actually want to see. For instance, it very often recommends videos I've already fucking watched.