We have moved from "content scarcity" to "attention scarcity." Consequently, viewers are suffering from what psychologists call "decision paralysis." We scroll streaming menus for forty minutes looking for the perfect thing, only to give up and watch The Office for the tenth time.
Walk into any theater or scroll through any streaming queue, and you will see the same pattern: sequels, prequels, spin-offs, and cinematic universes. Intellectual property (IP) is king. In an era of high risk and high cost, studios bet on the familiar—a Marvel hero, a Star Wars droid, a Barbie doll. When it works (see: Barbenheimer ), it is a cultural phenomenon. When it fails, it leads to franchise fatigue.