If you blow the whistle on big tech for doing something illegal, you get a pat on the back and a cash reward. Blow the whistle on the US government doing something illegal and you're either hanging out with your new friend Vlad or in pound me in the ass prison.
I agree with your point on realism vs impressionism, but I still buy the explanation what we prefer 24 fps movies because we're conditioned to, not because of a preference for impressionism.
I also like my wine expensive and with nice labels.