I think like u/dzonatan said cities just have that effect and have always been that way. It's become more extreme in the modern era for a few reasons, like mass communication, lack of war at home, and a good economy leading to abundance and easy living. People in cities are consumers more than producers. They don't know where products come from. They don't know how real life works. They are overstimulated and over-socialized (read Ted's manifesto) so they make up faux culture and trends out of boredom. They have no problems so they invent problems. Constant engagement with other people in the city makes it harder to have differing opinions so people act more as a block. If I had things my way people in cities wouldn't get to vote.

I say this as someone who lives in a big city and is for the most part one of the lazy, ignorant consumers. To answer your later question, I really enjoy the convenience of city life and 100 restaurants and bars in walking distance and not having to drive into town to go shopping. I wouldn't be planning to move if cities weren't run by leftist pro-crime degenerates that care more about politics and virtue signaling than proper management. (or if my neighbors weren't perfectly fine with that)