I think we’re about 8ft? I’ve heard there’s no minimum really. Basically you don’t want to have to physically turn your head to see either side… But beyond that the closer you are the better you see the picture.
Aiui the distance thing was more back in the day where if you sat too close you’d notice pixels. But with modern resolutions that’s not a problem anymore.
I think you touched on how to make pay it forward work: make it as low effort as possible.
In this case, while you had lots of work, the people “paying it forward” had almost none. Thus the chain was able to go for as long as you were willing.