well at least my generation hasn't destroyed the world, so they weren't completely right. Yet?
That said, I'm not at all opposed to OTHERS getting the information in the delivery method they prefer. Great; good for you. But! I don't want to see written word be entirely replaced by video. And, before you ask: no; a transcript of the script is not what I want either.
Totally agree with you though about not thinking written form is inferior. I do still enjoy a good long form article. (Also I'm not including technical writing like documentation.)
It's not about information, it's about shared para-socializing. Totally different intent.
> sit through a 45 minute YouTube video
This is the reverse. You have 45 minutes and need to fill it with something more interesting than staring at the wall, but not too demanding. Into that hole fits a million different possibilities for entertainment, of which streamers and vtubers are one.