[bobm_kite9]

I know exactly what you mean. I am trying to figure out why I do this too.

I guess at some level, I expect a dopameine reward for watching a video.

And, I guess this also motivates the other 8 million people.

Even after I've watched something like this, I'm not entirely sure I've wasted my time.

But, I think this does point to some kind of human failing, or inherent human bias, a bit like a propensity for gambling.

[petercooper]

I'd argue that a propensity for gambling is essentially a propensity for risk taking, something that makes us human and commonly leads us to success (and major failures too, but this is the human condition). Many of my own successes have come via merely dicking around or dabbling in things that interested me, so I'm going to chalk it up as a win.

[jacquesm]

Richard Feynman got a Nobel prize out of 'dabbling in things that interested him'. Not everything has to have a purpose right away, good - even great - things can come from activities without direction.

[bobm_kite9]

yes, I see what you mean: gambling is a good trait to have in a population, but it sucks if you're the guy who has to pour all his money into fruit machines.