So what’s the future look like

Yeah, my kids do the same exact thing. It's all about convenience to them despite my encouragment to listen to higher quality playback. They don't care, it's wallpaper to them. Maybe it will change. My generation is a dying breed. We actually care about and listen to great music and how that music is enjoyed sonically.

I should add.. my kids have the broadest taste in music I could imagine(though broad within rock and pop, my jazz intrigues them bit just for the moment)
theyre beginnong  to get Hi-Fi and why it matters... but they seem to be the exception amongst their friends. 

Unlike my employee, my kids do hear the difference.  I think In part they’re intimidated by the cost of even midfi theses days.  So they think of good reproduction as something for someday down the road. 

Obviously typing on a phone is not my strong suit. 

More people have access to affordable decent sounding gear to listen with today than ever before thanks to smart phones tablets, computers, headphones, powered speakers, etc. They also have access to more music more easily than ever before.

Those who want something better sounding also have more choices than ever before at all price points.

So I really do not see a problem.

It would be nice if more pop music were recorded better I suppose.

Less of a niche for dedicated audio gear I suppose but hey that’s progress.

Regarding live music opportunities I suspect more of those than ever before also for those who care and guess what bad sound there is becoming increasingly rare when I hear it there as well.

Not many places anymore to go to and buy music though. That is kinda sad.