My desired usage pattern stands... Someone who publishes content shouldn't be punished for everyone else wanting to access it, and shouldn't have to resort to product placement, advertising, sponsorship, or begging to fund it.

I don't know, maybe WebTorrent should have been the answer? For upcoming, viral content?

But for the deep archives, like the Wayback Machine? I feel like I'd happily pay for egress, and a bit to support them. If it was automatic and built in...

I wish Flattr or something like it had thrived...