I got around this with Pillow and Python by reducing the image quality to like 20% which in my case didn't have any compromises, but reduced the image size quite substantially. Then I repackaged the images back into cbz and used KCC to make a proper file. As a disclaimer, I have done it only with the Kaiji Ultimate Survivor series to be able to fit the entire manga on my Kindle PW3 with 4GB of storage (I already used up like 1.5GB). Kaiji has less complex drawings, which most certainly plays a role.
My guess would be that it nurtures the imposter sydrome once the "top performer" starts struggeling with something they shouldn't if they truely were a top performer.
It does happen, but in a different form. Now we have programms that prompt us during installation to install another software (antivirus or browser [looking at you Ccleaner]) for no good reason and most users (including my friends and family) simply click next without reading anything. Same thing on Android but with sticker/gif apps. I can't keep track of the times I had to help a relative or friend with stupid fullscreen pop-ups or adds on their phone and with unwanted software on Windows.