or it's because IRL our gaming interests aren't something we can talk about. I haven't had a IRL friend who thinks gaming is cool since I was 15. I'm 40 now. for 25 anytime I bring up my interest in games my 'friends' or girlfriends cringe and tell me to STFU about my weird immature stupid interest.
on twitch and youtube i can find people who share my joy of games and appreciate them and openly talk about their fond memories of playing them and how important they were to their childhood. IRL talking saying shit like that gets you socially shamed and ostracized.
You've got it backwards. Society doesn't work without a looming threat, whether that's an enemy or the environment.