It sure seems like it. But does it have to be? It cant just be to sate our want for entertainment?

Although if i think about it, that doesnt need to "trade" in attention. You can just put art out there for the sake of creativity. Trading in attention does imply utilizing it for commercial gain. How else would that be done other than manipulation? (Asking non-rhetorically)

Seems something very deteimental to society that the free market will encourage. So a good case for regulation to step in