It's a very fast paced, quick fix, time is of the essence world. I think that really alters the concept of value. This is true on many levels. It seems now that the speed in which things are done is becoming more important than the quality of it. The get the job done and the work out philosophy now reigns in the days of stock and royalty free imagery.
Competition is great as even the non-artist can enter the arena with the aid of electronics.
Look at how many thousands of images that are put out in the marketplace that have no personal mark. The illustration business has always had its imitators. That's like saying why buy filet mignon when you can have ground chuck. The difference is value. Value that comes out of individual expression and the time it takes to develop that.