Amputate: Wow, you did a great job of calling me on the fact that I'm not an expert on Mozart's life... and then completely missing my point.
And you're wrong in the most important aspect: There WERE no market studies. Mozart got where he was, in his time, because he was a musical genius. If his music came in our time, he would NOT win an MTV VMA. If you really want to argue my point, explain to me why the bands I've listed play in small clubs while P.O.D. is filling stadiums.
Mika: Philosophy has gotten us nothing? You obviously don't understand philosophy or its history. Philosophy has been the determining factor in the molding of societies, including our own. It's the backbone of civilization. Philosophy should be required in public schools and in universities... it's a shame that people aren't encouraged to think in our society. That's probably why they watch American Idol and listen to Papa Roach.
(just joking... kind of)
As for the argument that popular things are good
because they're popular... well, that's about the most ridiculous argument yet. Do you honestly believe that Jennifer Lopez is a better musician than, for instance, experimental jazz musicians who are constantly innovating new sounds and complex song structures, but whose albums sales never reach more than the thousands? Marketing determines what's popular, and the market studies have shown that the average listener doesn't want to be challenged or forced to think by their music. They want to stay in familiar, safer territory. They want nothing more than a catchy dance beat and uniform pop lyrics.
Look, I'm not on the side of the people arguing that you guys are idiots for listening to pop... that was never my intention. I just want you to admit that the system is flawed... that a lot of great musicians are kept out and forced to work for scraps while complete garbage is allowed to flood the airwaves. Who can possibly deny that simple fact? I'm not saying everything that's not popular is great, and everything that's popular sucks (I like some popular music). My beef is with the system that keeps great musicians from ever having a chance, and forces many of them to give up their recording carreers.