For decades, we've worked under the assumption that mass culture follows a steadily declining path toward lowest-common-denominator standards, presumably because the 'masses' want dumb, simple pleasures and big media companies want to give the masses what they want.

Once upon a time there were mass media, and they were wicked, of course, and there was a guilty party. Then there were the virtuous voices that accused the criminals. And Art (ah, what luck!) offered alternatives, for those who were not prisoners to the mass media.

Well, it's all over. We have to start again from the beginning, asking one another what's going on.

I like ponies and things that are pretty and stuff

Simple pleasures are best.

You follow voice of masses, Possibly you suppress your inner voice.

[Television is] demanding more cognitive engagement with each passing year, ... Everything Bad is Good for You: How Today's Popular Culture is Actually Making Us Smarter.