Not raising the education of the public is an easy control method and also easily keeps up the myth of the USA being such a great country while completely obviously contradicting itself.
Edit: apologies if the wording is not correct, I am not a financial expert or know too much about this topic. The point being, the dependency is there.
You say everyone is vulnerable to it, I'd like to change your view into: everyone is affected by it.
I am not saying I am deluded or immune but it affects me in quite opposite ways. You see, autists are known to be quite stubborn (in general or places). So there's this behavior that the more you push the more distance and negativity you'll receive.
That's how eg. Radio ads affect me. I can hardly endure listening to it (even passively) but the more I hear the repetition of one ad the more I will actively work against that product or company.
(there's also research into this counter forceyit just doesn't work and erode that way)
Aware? Oh they are, they behave this way in spite of it.
What they are missing is empathy and logic. Empathy, so they understand what burden they put onto others with their antisocial behavior. Logic so they understand that if we want positive effects for all in general, it just makes sense not to behave like an ass.
If it deteriorated by itself it's a sure sign of dying storage. So back up what you can, try repartitioning and see how it goes. But I would replace it.
You're right about the latest superman. I really liked the movie and him, although mostly the dc stuff was taking itself waaay to seriously for me in the past.
(personal preference)
I'm sorry you love in the USA. That would not be possible in many parts of the world to begin with.
(apologies and no hate, this is the best way I can put it)