The hypothesis being this:
No matter what social media you're on, your post is being rated in some way. If you're on reddit, it's upvotes. If you're on cohost, it's likes/comments/shares. I don't have instagram, tiktok, twitter, etc but I know such systems are prevalent there as well.

Now, certainly not all of your posts have to be met with loud, digital acclaim, but there's no denying that people liking your stuff makes you feel good. So, what gets all the attention? How can you maximize happy chemical potential? Well, that varies by platform, but generally speaking it's shit posting, horny posting, rage posting, or, in some corners, think pieces. What absolutely does not generate interaction is an average, run-of-the-mill thought. You will not see heaping amounts of digital acclaim by observing what the weather is, for example.

The thing is, people talk about what the weather is all the time. It's so prevalent that it's a joke about small talk. If you're sitting with friends or family on a porch or deck or bench somewhere, odds are someone is going to mention the weather.

"Damn, it's hot out today."

"Aw man, it's raining."

"Wow, what a perfect day to be in the park."

It's a universal connection. The weather is something that impacts all of us, simultaneously. The problem is it's "boring", as are so many other run-of-the-mill average, daily conversation topics.

And so I wonder, are we re-writing our brains by trying to maximize digital engagement? Are we approaching the point where we will unknowingly prevent ourselves from saying very normal, very relatable things because we have trained ourselves to avoid "boring" conversation? Are we worried our friends will grow weary of us mentioning the weather? The taste of our meal? The length of our drive? Will we reach the point where we're so afraid to say anything that isn't "interesting" or "rewarding" that we'll, eventually, opt to say nothing at all?

I don't know. I have no answer or speculation on that, but sometimes I do wonder.