Yeah... ...never got it. I remember as a kid when one friend had that 1p game we all wanted to try, we would take turns playing it. But back then you always wanted to be the one playing it. I remember some kids being such bogarts. It was the worst. If you could, you'd convince them to let you borrow it so you could play it at home. So I kind of have it ingrained in me that I don't wanna watch other people play games I like, lol.
Lets plays I could take or leave. I see some and I can acknowledge that they bring some interesting personality and/or well-traveled commentary, and I assume that's what people watch for, rather than the gameplay. That's cool to me. I wouldn't watch it but I get it. Other times it's just something to put up that people can stare at while they talk or whatever. I'm betting most people keep stuff like this on in the background. I see the appeal. Still not for me. Greatly prefer music for that.
Personally what really puts me off is the overwhelming number of people clearly doing it only for the money and the following. It's garbage content and it's everywhere, just kinda smushing together in this mass of shluck. I personally can't be assed to sift through that to find one I like. But people eat it up, so it becomes the precedent. If people believe it works, they're gonna do it, even if most let's players/streamers aren't actually very successful at all. And to really do it, you've gotta put in all of this time and energy to gathering and engaging with your viewer base. And to even be able to do that, you can't really work a normal job, so if the money's not coming in you're living poor while you're trying to put up this front like you're happy and enjoying what you're doing, when really you're tired, hungry, and worried about the future. Just doesn't seem worth it unless you really love what you do. Otherwise you could pick up a trade and start making more cash almost right away. And you might even do less work! You might actually have more time!
But then, I'm not one to really talk. I'm just not a fan of passive entertainment in general. From the moment I wake up to when I go to sleep, I am actively engaged in something. Even when I'm winding down, I am doing something. I'm never that bored that I just want to sit and watch something like that to pass time. I have a lot of hobbies because I get antsy just sitting and doing nothing. The only way you get me to do that is if I'm either with someone I really love, or I'm out hiking/camping. Can't stand to sit still for too long. Can't really turn my brain off like most people, so I can't relate.
Instructional videos are another thing I don't get. Sometimes it's helpful to see certain things, but most of the time it takes only a couple of minutes at most to get what you need via reading vs skimming around through a 15 minute video (or giving up and watching through,) just to get whatever info you're missing. The last thing I wanna do when I'm right in the middle of something is stop and watch a f-ing video.