"When you're young, you look at television and think, There's a conspiracy. The networks have conspired to dumb us down. But when you get a little older, you realize that's not true. The networks are in business to give people exactly what they want. That's a far more depressing thought. Conspiracy is optimistic! You can shoot the bastards! We can have a revolution! But the networks are really in business to give people what they want. It's the truth."
- Steve Jobs
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/4.02/jobs_pr.html
The depressing reality in this case is that someone figured out that what sells newspapers to a mainstream audience isn't stories about cool new technology, but stories about conflict. It's why newspapers separate the technology section out from the main news section.
Conflict is what made "The Social Network" such a great movie. The story isn't about social networking, it's about manipulation, ruthless ambition and betrayal. Themes that are as old as humanity itself.
As an aside, I doubt pg will get into a pissing contest with some journalist, as that wouldn't help himself, his reputation or YC. There is nothing to be gained by going to "war".
EDIT: Grammar