Some people are not interesting, and that used to be a prized character trait.
It is easy to confuse having “character” with “being a character:” to be “interesting,” we exaggerate our smallest foibles, which amplifies our failures, but we can’t apologize as it is our only unique aspect of self, so we must double down.
We become cartoons of ourselves, grotesque clowns: humorous and sad, entertaining but not trusted.