> The most optimistic read of this is that they _feel_ productive

In addition to "feel productive", two other feels I think are flying under the radar:

1. You get a parasocial relationship with a "friend" (or at least conversation partner) who seems to "understand" you.

2. You get some form of gambling entertainment when you pull the lever and the output keeps landing on different sides of the jackpot you want.

While #2 has some overlap with classic creative struggle, I think it can at least be seen as a kind of junk-food verson, where the frequency is different and the health-promoting parts aren't present.