Jeremy

I have issues with certain air-bound species, thus Drones are persona non grata.

All entertainment-media-as-product are not only affected by this "thought experiment" but completely controlled by it. You can see it play out in every media marketplace since the dawn of entertainment. It's not controversial. Walk into any music store and watch what people buy... therein your answer lies. Record stores are a far better example as all else is far more equal: access, price, display (somewhat).

You are asking: "What is the other value, the ineffible qualities, the unseen value-add that will make people buy Wii over Xbox, black Macbook over white, Britney Spears over Mastodon?" while assuming a pragmatic posture nearly criticising consumers for not sheding all of their emotional value sense, ignoring the very things you are asking about and submitting to this most pragmatic choice. The asking and musing is worthy fluff. You go wrong in feigning confusion over the way human beings make choices and relate to media.