It has been said, hams are generally cheap. For many hams trying to save a buck the influx of inexpensive ham products from China fits their bill perfectly. Although most that have been in the hobby more than a few years know, we get what we pay for.
And it seems for some hams, once they feel they have mastered the operation of their equipment, their next step is to make a Youtube video about it. Perhaps it's all about building their Youtube Channel audience and making a few bucks.
In years past we used to hear hams talk about getting on the radio to do some equipment experimenting, testing a new antenna system or testing something new they built. Or building a new circuit of some sort. Or trying to work a rare DX station, or work a VHF/UHF opening (on a mode that requires more than clicking on a FT8 line). Many now-a-days prefer to just exchange a grid square and call sign with a hi/bye digital mode rather than carry on a conversation and get to actually know someone. For many, ham speak of the past has changed. But as the saying goes, the only constant is change.
So perhaps an answer the question, "Wow... what is going on?? Today's popular phrase "playing radio" sums up what's going on. (A phrase we didn't hear 20 or more years ago.)