I agree that there is that 'mesothelioma' part of the web but your commentary sounds like some unfounded elitism. "Simple tips and tutorials" - what exactly is bad about that? If people are visiting the website, reading and receiving value from the content, what's the issue?

Further - what's wrong with gifs and memes? There is a market for it people will go ahead and supply it. It's definitely not easy to do.

Exactly. A content that is consumed is worth the time and effort of the individual person consuming the content.

I don't fancy Buzzfeed top 10 lists much, but someone out there finds it valuable.

The way I see it is that you have a choice (if the opportunity knocks).

1) Create a product (that you don't like) that a mass audience likes. Reap the benefits, and then start something that you do like.

2) Create a product (your life's work) that an audience may like and see what happens.

There are more options than that of course, but I hope my idea does come across clear.

Thats in the same line as the pejorative comments on startup tech being essentially simple CRUD Webapps.