It doesn't sound horrible. Most people I talk to don't have much interesting to say, as it is all commentary on third-hand information, social media, entertainment, or whatever new thing they bought.
But I reckon that if you were out with a group of decent people playing softball or something like that, you might enjoy the smalltalk too.
I definitely feel more comfortable with people I know or topics I am familiar with. I just feel selfish, but much of the time small talk doesn't interest me. It seems like people are just filling dead space.
I agree. I think it is part of the degradation of society, as conversation has also become limited by social expectation.
It just feels fake and self serving.