"The difference being that most of the SS out there pushing their wares about are doing it for themselves. They aren't writing for their community, don't care if they write something that others would want to sing or to sing along with they don't even write about others much of the time. "

There is a lot of truth to that, but I do it see it changing - slowly.

Yes, a lot of songs are personal - but then you could also say that about songs like "Greensleeves". If you break that folk chestnut down, you have one of the most self-absorbed whiney songs of all time! Even a song like "I Gave My Love a Cherry" was probably introspective for it's time.

I do agree however, many of the songs can only come out of the mouth of the songwriter - and I also agree that is not a good sign.   But, if you look at a songs like John Gorka's "Down in the Milltown" or "House in the Fields", you do get the sense of community that you are referring to - AND - they are songs that are being sung by others.

What is unfortunate is that folk music has largely become a spectator sport instead of a participatory one.   Going to venues to WATCH someone else make music is really what we are talking about in this thread. Is that truly folk music of any kind??