If everyone simply says "buy the S&P", what's the point of r/investing??

To start, let me say that investing in an S&P 500 index fund can be a great idea. Not arguing against that.

What I'd like to have is a friendly discussion about investing as a hobby.

It seems like everyone on here simply advocates for buying an S&P 500 index fund, or similar broad market index fund. While that can certainly generate nice returns over time, there are a lot of people out there who genuinely enjoy the process of investing and would rather build a portfolio based on their personal research.

Have we given up the art and science of portfolio construction in the name of laziness or apathy?

I believe there is real behavioral value in owning stocks because you believe in them, whether based on technical research, or because of positive experiences you've had as a customer.

Buying a broad market index fund is just so BORING!

I believe that the emotional detachment of index funds actually leads to issues with people wanting to time the market because they don't have anything to believe in.