I forget who said this first, but I definitely agree with the sentiment that at least nowadays Shitcoins are not hiding behind the facade of trying to do something useful. If you're buying shit like Trump coin or hawktua, or pepemoonblaster......You know what you're doing, It's just gambling.

The ICO and Masternode phases had coins that were trying to have utility. So it would be easier for the gullible to get sucked into. "This coin has a future because it's solving XYZ problem, bro. Its not a scam trust me." Was a common naritive.