I prefer the Patreon model. Except I don't even want Patreon perks. I want to give some projects money so they can keep doing exactly what they're doing and provide it for free to other people.
Ads are a sign of desperation, that anybody with an MP4 and a part of a penny can buy space in somebody else's project. It's a last ditch effort when they can no longer provide enough quality to be worthy of money. I will literally give you free money if you make a good thing.
How you describe your enemies says so much about what you fight for. Making your enemies look weak does not always make you look strong.
Especially if nobody believes you.