This isn't totally unique to software engineering (and broadly speaking knowledge, science and maybe even content in general) but I feel it's better placed here than anywhere else.

We're in a near global, near zero-marginal-cost environment.

If you build a broom that's mediocre, someone can still sweep with it and it's worth something. In this realm though, if you build a mediocre version of something that already exists in a better form, it's likely worth nothing.

That shouldn't keep anyone from enjoying building mediocre things - which might be the only path to get into a position to build great things. But it does make sense if your goal is to have an impact with the specific thing you're working on.