This is an interesting post - just wanted to let you know that. This kind of stuff is why I joined Poptimists. Not sure I have too much to add.

Think it is only in pop that the anti-context has got smaller for e.g. Thai tribesmen have now heard of Britney. But for other genres, particularly where obscurity is actively valued by fans, the reverse is probably true - there are more people making music now than in 1966, simply because they can (affordable equipment etc) and thus it's harder to keep track of everything, even if you would probably like a band were you aware of them.