I noticed things becoming quite rigid years ago, and superficial as well, since the two tend to go hand‑in‑hand.

Read the room, know your audience. The audience is mostly absent so of course the room will appear to be dull. Creativity is stunted.

People do try to be unique, but it often lacks personality. And I'm not talking about just being yourself. The fuse is there but it's not being lit.

I don't want to set the world on fire. I don't even feel comfortable critiquing.