Emotion wants quick, easy and pleasurable. That is why small children whose behavior is primarily activated by emotion are so focused on immediate gratification.
That is also why people LOVE and are ADDICTED to their gadgets. They are quick, easy, entertaining, almost no effort is necessary etc. etc.
The intellect understands that difficulties and challenges are what really build a person. When encountering difficulties it is worthwhile reminding ourselves that it is only our emotions that are frustrated while in the world of truth this is EXACTLY what we need to grow.
Teaching people today is very difficult. It is hard for people to read and listen to abstract ideas. That is why when people give talks there is often a screen with pictures and other forms of entertainment designed to make things more interesting and easier to understand.
Even in the Torah world there is such a problem. Many people don't want to exert effort. One can't write a complex article that spans 35 pages, even if that is the only way to prove his point. People see all of those words, no pictures, realize that they will have to exert lots of mental energy and time and lose interest [especially if it in small Rashi script].
Books contain information that is far more important than what is written in the newspaper. Yet, newspapers sell so many more copies because people like the graphics, pictures and relatively short articles.
I often want to give a series of shiurim on deep topics but I know that people don't want to spend ten hours plus on complex topic that requires them to follow along ["hold kup"]. Why should they? They can spend the same time with activities that will offer them instant gratitude.
If you want to be great - seek out activities that require an investment of time and mental and physical exertion.
More here.
