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Animation Theory 1: A Matter of Taste or Ignorant Complacence?

 I haven't posted on here in a while; I've been more active with other things recently if you have been following me on other platforms. But for now, I'd like to discuss some personal theories I have about modern entertainment and what people consume and why.

Nowadays, it feels like what pieces of media you enjoy and what mediums of entertainment you choose to participate in are often seen by people as a representation of who you are as an individual and how others will treat you. "If you like watching this TV show, you might be this kind of person, or that." etc.

It's a very closed-minded and surface level way of viewing people and entertainment, yet people seem to not take it lightly, much like how we view people's choices of preferred ice cream flavors or pizza toppings. It's something that ultimately isn't all that important, yet people seem to think it is, and it also functions as a good analogy for how modern audiences consume media and how they view others. Let me explain:

Basically, most people these days who still casually enjoy animation are very self-conscious about what entertainment they consume. A lot of people take animation rather seriously now, almost to an unnecessary degree, which makes many people paranoid of how similar individuals might view them for what they choose to watch, not unlike ice cream.

Most people only ever eat the most basic and generically- popular flavors of ice cream because those are the flavors everyone else likes. And likewise, people only watch or read, or play whatever is currently popular, what's in the moment right now.

The majority of animation made for TV or streaming in the states these days usually seems to take itself far more seriously than it realistically needs to. Why? Because that's what the industry tells them: "Animation is a serious business, people. It's not just kids' stuff anymore; HARUMPH!"

Paradoxically, even though modern artists want to be serious and groundbreaking, they won't allow themselves to make anything truly deep because they don't want to alienate any potential customers. Art in the West isn't really about expression anymore; it's all just a business now. 

Animation, graphic design, video games—all major artistic mediums have shifted to this sort of narrow focus now, and it's becoming the norm in other parts of the world now. In fact, most media created by human society at large is like this nowadays.

 

Obviously, not all modern entertainment is like that, currently. There are plenty of original and fresh ideas popping up here and there, just not as we used to see. I think a lot of it has to do with modern consumers' paranoia and ego. Like I said before, modern consumers are very self-conscious and are complacent with consuming bland, tasteless media because that's what's popular.

Most adult-age people who still casually enjoy animation and gaming don't want to consume any media that is too unique and colorful, or too genuine and mature, because they don't want to be seen as weird or immature.

People always complain about how so many things feel the same these days, yet they are the ones causing this familiarity because they are unwilling to try or do anything new out of fear for how they will be perceived.

Everyone loves to complain about how "Things Just Aren't the Same Anymore."Yet they are all fine with with never standing up for themselves and actually doing anything to make the changes they want to see. 

So is it all simply a "matter of taste"? Or have most people simply grown used to the complacency of their own doing?

Which do you prefer?

Do you have taste, or are you an uncultured swine who's content
with following the herd?

Please let me know what you all think about this, and what you have to say; I'd love to hear your thoughts.