Art - One thing that I took from your comments in the Country Music thread was that the invention of records. and more importantly radio broke down the regional nature of folk music. I think that this article shows how diversity in general is disappearing from what is slowly (but more rapidly every year) becoming a world culture. That might be a good thing if it meant everyone hearing everything. Unfortunately, it means more people hearing the same things. The economics are working against diversity - whatever isn't capitalized is marginalized. Today I find very little of the real pleasure in my life coming from the dominant culture. Yes I like "the Simpsons" but "Temptation Island?" Puh-leeze.

Yes, make your own music. But don't sit back resignedly while the cultural world in which that music was germinated becomes smaller and smaller. How many generations from now will hear your music except as curiosities and museum pieces?