As media and outlets multiply, there is a natural competition for attention—more bids for eyes on more content in more formats.
Art, beauty, or insight will not win, but rather the more addictive traits, such as sugar, fat, sex, death, and revenge will.
This is human (biological) nature. Bids for betterment are culturally instilled, and socially (propagandistically?) corrupted. As society devolves towards animalistic urges media frames as “living my best life” there is no applause or policing of delayed gratification… unless you surround yourself with an perversely twisted group: those who enjoy the torment of betterment and control their attention.