But nobody really wants to pay for it

The difference between creating something that people will actually leave their homes and travel to enjoy, and creating something that people have to make no effort at all to enjoy is vast and deep. Even television programs, which seem free, need to be good enough to sustain enough interest that you’re willing to sit through commercials.

YouTube has millions of users and millions of videos. But really…honestly…couldn’t you live without…all of it?

I would gladly agree to incinerate all of the content on YouTube in exchange for one more season of The Sopranos.

-- Craig Mazin on Why You Won't Get Paid Cause You Suck

Which is why government subsidised shit is still shit. Personally, I kind of like this conspiracy theory proposed on the comments within Craig's post:

strange how in a time when our government shows us that we have zilch power at all, and our voice in form of opinion polls means crap (last night’s presidential address, anybody?) a renowned mass publication tells us “we’re de man!”. on second thought, not strange at all… this is mass manipulation on a grand scale. the home of the brave is transforming into a brave new world, right before our eyes. that’s what I call entertaining.

In other words, its sleight of hands. Empowering us with "youTube" and "mySpace" is all about distracting us from bothering to do anything about what really matters. I don't think the people are powerless at all. They're careless.