They are things that you know, that you don't know you know. For example, uncovering links between existing knowledge that uncovers something that then feels obvious.
This happens occasionally where two previously thought seperate fields of study discover a common link with each being able to explain the questions the other had struggled with.
Based upon the recruiters messaging me, if I gave up my remote job for one that required in-office attendance I would get an immediate 30% pay bump.
That would however, demand an hour and half commute each way and that would impact my ability to take my children to school and be involved with family meals. Back when I did have a hour commute each way it was costing me £2,800 a year in fuel, plus £2,220 in parking fees, plus about the same again for lunch out with colleagues.
So yeah, i'd get a 30-40% pay bump, but a large percentage would be consumed by additional costs with no benefit to my performance.
Not having as much activity isn't in my opinion a bad thing. Its quality over quantity. I know when I visit lobste.rs that I am going to get a front page of decent content and I may even know or recognise the poster.
Reddit has become a write off, no better than endlessly scrolling through a garbage can. HN and Lobste.rs is where its at now :)
I typically browse the internet with JavaScript disabled by default and rarely come across issues - when I do unless the website is appealing enough to white-list for js I go elsewhere.
I have also found the reader view functionality on iOS to be a godsend when visiting websites, no more cookie notices, GDPR popups or banners taking up 1/3 of the display - bliss!