It's interesting that this thread started out as a debate between those who believe that folk music is a limited and definable genre, with the 1954 definition being a good guide to the limits,and those who don't.

It has now turned into a slanging match between those who believe that folk music is a limited and definable genre etc. and those who insist on insulting them, baselessly accusing them of authoritarianism and speculating about their emotional states. I rather think that the second group have run out of arguments; perhaps we should stop now(?)