I see where you are coming from, there have been far too many simple clones with no actual purpose IMHO.

However, we can learn things even from them.  We can observe how the networks operate simultaneously and in different conditions as an example.   Even small tweaks might be important in time.  We cannot see what the important innovations are right now.

You never can before they happen.  I can tell you that I don't think "shitcoins" are going to be the winner.  many of the new coins show very little obvious difference or innovation.  But that doesn't matter.  Time gets to decide what's important and what isn't, not me or you.

You need a hodgepodge of crap so that the one solitary flower can grow out of it.  It takes all kinds man, you can't just have the winners.  You need the losers too.  Tons of them.