It would have no future if it was purely preserved in a glass cage - experimentation helps keep it alive. If it means changes in the tradition, so be it - there is nothing new in that.

What is probably most interesting though are the observations of many posters above - that the "real" stuff seems to last and much of the experimentation is rather more temporary.

Also, John P's observation that new tunes are played in old ways is probably a good indication that the tradition is very much alive.

Jon