RE: Do you ever have an idea and write something thinking it is interesting and then, ...
I also think that particular problem has existed since we developed enough for it to be a problem, the internet just made it more visible over a larger number.
Yep, this is likely and the internet has also amplified it enormously and allows for cherrypicking and "personal" filters that create echo chambers that support the view for long enough for it to become an expectation.
Also wonder how much of the problem is intrinsic and how much is caused by how society is structured.
My client told me that their university-going daughter calls him to like some posts of hers on various platforms because she feels bad if they don't get enough clicks.
It is creating an interesting psychological position where we rely on the opinions of stangers to feel a sense of self worth, opinions from people who do not care about us at all and are more likely to try and undermine us as away to score points for their own attention seeking behaviors.
Again I think the internet just exacerbated existing problems well beyond the point of ridiculousness XD
Um yeh that behaviour is a tad concerning :S