no, its not about intimidating anyone, it is about observing what is happening, i think it is connected with a move away from playing in clubs where people come specifically to listen, to open mike situations in pubs,perhaps it has a connection with attempted volume whilst playing acoustically to overcome background chatter and noise, but in pub situations fingerpicking is definitely in decline,. in folk clubs fingerpicking may still prevail, but my observation was made in regard to playing in pubs, I apologise if my statement was unclear.