Excuse me, but I take exception to the generalization that Americans are apathetic and would rather be watching television. I'm sure there are plenty of Brits who sit around watching television, too, just as there are lots of Americans who play folk music.

Since diversity was mentioned, I'm going to go ahead and blab that one of the reasons I hestitate to post American music questions on here is that I feel like non-Brit-based American music either gets ignored or starts a fight about not-being-folk. Blues fares pretty well. Some Canadian music does well (which may be French, indigenous, or Brit-based). Cajun draws very little. Bluegrass and a lot of folk-rock, alt country, etc. starts a shitstorm about whether or not it's valid. Well, that's the outlet for the folk "spirit" in (my part of) the U.S. these days--independent folk/rock/country musicians. Since I'm really sick of arguing about what is or is not folk, I just don't freaking post it.

As to respect for traditions growing thin: If respecting traditions means I have to sing it the way Child collected it or so-and-so played it or I'm out of line, screw that. Times change. Music changes. If it didn't, we'd probably still be beating on logs with sticks. Whenever I hear this, what I'm hearing is somebody complaining that the rest of the world isn't doing it their way. So what? Go out and do it your way and eventually you're going to find someone who DOES respect those traditions and wants to jump in the deep end. I know we all get sick of being "ambassadors" but a little bit of exposure is better than none at all and the quickest way to kill off the music is to be miserly and unapproachable with it.

And yes, I'm sick of the bickering. Go argue on PM. The America-bashing is getting a little old, too. Most of the Americans on here have issues with the current state of things, anyway, with the exception of the usual few who stink up the room to entertain themselves.