YouTube's Era of Excess is driven by catchy titles and big numbers, appealing to viewers' desire for extreme content.
Excessive content normalizes wealth and extravagant lifestyles, making viewers feel dissatisfied with their own lives.
The rewards-based structure of excessive videos triggers dopamine release, creating addiction-like behavior in viewers.
Creators are pressured to continuously escalate their content, leading to bigger budgets, larger teams, and less creative risk-taking.
Constant exposure to excessive content can negatively impact viewers' mental health, leading to lower self-esteem and financial comparison.