we still need to solve the post-mint problem

all incentives are on the transaction
we need more apps working with already onchain media

This is under the assumption that all NFTs are “things”, which I think might not necessarily true even if this is how we have thought of them (ie minting is a cyberspriritual kinetic momentary act of signaling resonance, rather than Collecting An Object)

Yes.  A digital pat on the back.  Support in the form of bits.  I like an image, I want to see more of this in the world, so I mint it to support the creator so they can create more.  Additional perks may come with it, but on the deeper level, it's about signaling the connection and the desire to see more of that created.