I remember a time when you couldn't even monetize your videos unless Youtube specifically reached out to you and everyone was fine with that. People enjoyed uploading videos regardless of whether or not they were getting paid for it.
Youtube is a video sharing platform, not a quick and easy way to get rich, but over the years, there's been a culture developing with the misconception that you go into Youtube to earn money. If that's what the "Youtube dream" consists of, you're going to be miserably disappointed.
It seems you almost can't go into Youtube with a materialistic endgame in mind and hope to succeed. Something will knock you permanently off course and sidetrack you from the important things in life if that's your kind of objective. It took me 1.5 years to earn my first $17 from Youtube-related stuff but that's not why I'm a Youtuber. I don't do it for the money because if I did, I'd quickly switch to something else.