How vapid were the early 2010s?

[gnomish dwelf]

I remember the early 2010s as a more vapid time. My fellow college students seemed more interested in partying, becoming rich, and watching reality TV. Reality shows, doctor soaps, and cop shows were the dominant forces on TV.

Yet during this same time period geek culture loses it's stigma. The success of LOTR and Harry Potter blew the door open. Game of Thrones plants fantasy firmly in the mainstream not to mention the growing success of comic book movies.

The sci fi genre experiences a resurgence with movies like "Gravity", "Interstellar", "Guardians of the Galaxy", "Arrival", "The Martian", "Big Hero 6", etc. as well as books like "The Expanse".

Despite there being more space fiction than ever before and games like "Kerbal Space Program" it seems like during the 2010s society lost much interest in space.

What happened? Why did society lose it's adventurous side? How did we become so risk averse? Was it the space shuttle disasters? Was it the comforts of modern life? Hey life is good enough so why bother working toward a "Star Trek" like future?

Why were young people more pressured to conform during this time?

Why not aspire to be athletic, fun loving, and yet smart like these badass people called "astronauts"?

Would the world be a better place if astronauts became cooler than reality show stars and professional athletes?

Your perspective is centred on anecdotical evidence because as member of a generation cohort you were probably in your early 20s back then and thus more used to vapid stuff, but that's just a reflection a people of your age within your social circle.