What Conrad fails to recognize is what he considers "abuse" is simply a folk evolution. The way the folk revival evolved was certainly influenced by the left - but there was also a strong conservative faction involved as well. The whole "folk revival" took root in the early part of the 20th century when there was a conservative movement to preserve ideals and traditions - often making them appear more relevant than they really were. Folk music has always represented the feelings of a community, and what it evolved to was not so much a media-driven revolution, but an evolution of the needs of the community.   Perhaps "folk" faded from public attention because the needs have changed.

Again, it is simply stupid to expect an artist to dilute their songs or performances in the fashion Conrad is suggesting. It is hypocritical of the art.