Why is modern pop music today so terrible?

Simple: it is created for an audience that is almost entirely ignorant of music.  Imagine books if they were published for illiterates.  Instead of sentences, paragraphs, chapters, and a story arc, you might have page after page with just a single giant letter printed on it.  The "reader" would grunt with satisfaction over recognizing the letter.
Compared with today's pop songs, The Beatles were Webern.

While I do believe there is a great deal of vocal talent among the young artists of today, the problem I have with most of today's pop is it's canned and synthesized production. I still prefer the sound, air and performance of real horns, strings and percussion, combined with the signature of a fine or notable vocal. There are still a lot of fine productions and artists out there that still involve real instruments and meaningful vocals - just have to dig a little to find them. The fun with having a nice system is to be able to appreciate it when you find it...
Jim

Pop music isn’t just terrible today. Music has generally sucked since 1980, with the exception of certain groups or artists, and the country rock movement of the 90’s. Classic rock of the 60’s & 70’s is still leading the way 50 years later.

I blame the recording companies, sinking to new levels of filling an image or copycatting another label’s overnight sensation. They just started manufacturing artists to fit the flavor of the day. Unfortunately, it seems like talent was the last box to be checked off.

The really sad part of this is that I have heard so many local and regional artists that are so much better than the those getting the promo and air time. I have been scratching my head about this for most of my adult life. Why aren’t the right people getting the breaks? Blame the record companies!

A few years ago Billy Bob Thornton claimed that there was no great rock and roll produced after 1979.   Maybe he meant by any performers who began their careers after 1979.   I listen to Casey Kasem's top 40 re-runs from the 1970s on Sirius and though there was some mediocre pop music from that era there was also some great music.   I am disappointed in most contemporary music of all popular genres but people like Randy Newman and Paul Simon are still making new and quality music.

Just like pollution ,education,and music . People just do not know better