Creative work is not fueled by competition.

Sure, it can incentivize creating something. And the submissions mights serve as an application og Goodhart's law (targets that shouldn't necessarily be).

But it's how we have an age of blockbusters and thrillers with homogeneous plot beets (sometimes down to the exact same minute / page.

However, you can ignore Sturgeon's Law if you recognize your creative work is unique and benefits the community simply for existing.