YouTube has tons of great content in the science and computing and music and hobbyist space, don’t lump those together.
Agreed. It's the only social media platform I use, if I don't include the odd forum post. Lots of quality long form content if you show discernment and seek it out. There's 3 YT creators to whom I contribute via Patreon, providers of content I would never feasibly get elsewhere.
Keep clicking "not interested" and "don't recommend channel" enough, along with "remove from watch history" on any mistaken/regrettable viewings, and your feed improves immeasurably and YT becomes a great place. And of course, avoid comments altogether, barring the odd niche creator who hasn't got idiotic people watching and commenting.
I happily pay for YouTube Premium. The only bummer is being unable to nuke Shorts from ever appearing in the iPad OS app, the main place I use YT.
Unrelated, but Ready Player One had the right idea at the end...
SPOILER
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...taking it offline 2 days every week. Moderation in everything -->better life imo.