So what’s the future look like

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.

As a very new and almost accidental audiophile, I would think that one of the biggest issues with pretty much any young people these days is the cost of what is considered even decent hifi. For those really into the hobby and flush with cash, it is nothing to recommend that someone get a $2000 phono preamp (I learned about these a few days ago). A used set of speaker cables like the ones that came with my inherited system sold for $1000 on this site last year.

So I get that a young post college person might hear that these sorts of expenditures are necessary and not get it even if they have heard and can hear the difference.

I also don't think there are many people who sit and listen to music the way they sit and watch TV, cruise FaceBook or read an actual book. I think for most people, including young people, music is part of life's background. I also thing the millenial aged people have extraordinarily short spans of attention and I think the multimedia world has carefully crafted this trait and parents like me did not appreciate what was happening or do anything about it.

I also agree with whoever said above the rock and roll was pretty much dead. However, for some fresh air, take a look at Gary Clark, Jr and also The Struts. (They've both been around for 4-5 years but you'll never hear them on the radio where I live which is near the 15th largest city in the U.S.

If you really want to hear some raw but nuanced guitar work, check out Gary Clark, Jr.'s cover of Hendrix' Third Stone From the Sun. This was one of the first songs I listened to once I got my system set up sort of properly (with the kind help of members here). 

yes it is easy to think, in part, that  the price of entry that keeps young people out.  I really thought so just a couple of days ago.  then my son showed me what he and his girlfriend could pull together with 1700.00   some used, some new  some lower range ELACS and bingo, not too shabby.
I hope they spread the word.
demo'd with their copy of GD's Reckoning.   Nice.