Why not push the unprotected central pawn? It makes sense to play it on the first move rather than later when e4 could fall under black's control. And it is not considered better than d4.
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1.e4 is not considered better than 1.d4
You cannot analyze based on one move only. You need to analyze many moves ahead. I don't like to think that the consequence of playing 1.e4 is that the pawn is vulnearable to immediate attack. I like to think that the consequence of playing 1.e4 is that I may have the French/KIA/Sicilian middlegame positions.
Why is e4 considered better then d4? e4 is vunerable to attack immediately. d4 is already defended by the Queen, therefore White gets smidgen of tempo to.? I guess the core question is why push an unprotected pawn instead of a protected pawn as a first move.