Why does most new music suck?

My mistake.

What's pleasing to Csontos is - perforce - pleasing to all. More importantly, what's displeasing to Csontos is displeasing to all.

And what's close minded is when it's raining and you ask the guy next to you to stop pissing on your leg.

Well, the proof is in the pudding. If we took an audiophile wide survey, what direction do you think it would take? Even just here on Audiogon? Are you willing to wager?

most of our kids going to the public schools where the best they can hear is 'gamnasta' 'saying lego'.
a decreased budget would eliminate music teachers that can show them at least basic scales. our kids can't get any info on how music is made and so the show biz going towards there.
my generation of mid-40's probably the last existing in united states. harder and harder to find younger musicians. hopefully european countries have a different pattern and they really do since most of talented musicians don't tour US(problems with visas as never ever before). young girls are not impressed anymore by young boys skills to play guitar or any other music instrument. local us musicians still prefer europe or canada where they get larger success in live venues.
there's still flow of a great music from europe of current years. good jazz and rock.

Frogman: "Since when do music critics determine which music will be "important" in music history?"

Interesting, as nowhere in my comments did I say that current music critics determine what will be considered "important" in the future.

In fact, in answer to your question about the historic examples I mentioned, it should be quite clear that evaluations of an artist by his contemporaries often tells little about what those in the future will think of the art in question.

That was my main point in making my prior comments. The OP declared that "most new music sucks" and I simply pointed out that similar opinions have been pronounced in the past about people and music styles that are now held in high regard. As such, I don't spend much time worrying about the current state of music. I find plenty of current music that I greatly enjoy and have little problem ignoring the rest.

I think you missed my point.

This community is dominated by (though not completely composed of) conservative music lovers. A glance at the music threads over time will confirm that. The music of Jimmy Page is certainly far more beloved here than say, the music of his contemporary(ish) Phillip Glass. That speaks zero to their relative artistic merit as composers - particularly since Page stole as much material as he created (great guitarist, tho) and Glass continues to further the evolution of musical language (for better or worse). No surprise that I'd agree that rap would be unpopular in the vote you suggest - it ain't what people here want to hear.

OTOH, rap dominates music sales among young people. The inherent assumption in the audiophile vote you propose is that the musical taste here is "superior" to the masses. If you're talking about discriminating between two guitar heros of the '60's, I'd agree that the knowledge base here would be relevant. Once you extend the debate to more recent genres....

IOW, my observation is that it is (with several notable exceptions) popular music posters here are narrow, backward looking, and quite conservative in their musical taste and would likely reject rap in a heartbeat. It's also likely that the community is older, wealthier, whiter, etc. than the population in general. That might have something to do with the musical preferences here, ya think?

If I'm being honest, I'd include myself in that group. The difference is, I'm not dismissive of the entire genre.

Marty