Preparing for antiquation, displacement and/or unemployment.

"Gotye created his song “Somebody That I Used to Know” in his parents’ house near Melbourne, Australia. The self-produced track reached number one on more than 23 national charts and charted inside the top 10 in more than 30 countries around the world. By the end of 2012, the song became the best-selling song of that year with 11.8 million copies sold, ranking it among the best-selling digital singles of all time."

...just goes to show that the song is the most important part of the process.

This is true of any industry, really. It's the reason why there are so many startups and small businesses popping up all around—there are people that can do at least a decent job of what you would've paid a professional to do a few years ago. With so many resources readily available to anyone and everyone, it's not hard to learn how to do something half-decently without the "hassle" of trial-and-error, etc.

As a part of a pro audio boutique. I see the same thing happening with gear. DIYers are getting so proficient that high-price boutique gear is waning in interest to many. The market is still alive, but its certainly dwindling in size.

But a lack of demand does not necessarily mean obsoletion. Although I can do a half-decent job of mixing and mastering, I would much rather have someone who knows what they're really doing do a great job. Same goes for my cobblers and tailors.

Ha, I guess there's no overnight sensations.

In the "hipster" quarters of Berlin, you see young musicians on the streets in summer, playing....Jazz...
Most people i think would hire a mastering engineer that knows his stuff as soon as they compare their "half decent home made" to a demo master of the pro.
And when jazz came up around here, or beat, or rock'n'roll, some people always saw the Decline of the West coming. The end of good professional music.
Well, still beeing a good musician does not make you a good producer or engineer or mastering guy or songwriter automatically. Cooperation still pays off.
I guess these are things, that will never change.
At least i hope so...

Now you know what the coach makers went through when automobiles came out. Or what the sword makers went through when muskets took over.

In order to sell a product it must have value and a market. Music no longer has either. Music is free, or close to it. Those that produce it can't expect to be rewarded for a product most don't want to buy.

When I was a kid I had a ball and bat, a record player and a guitar. Today's kids have the world on their smart phones. That's a whole lot of competition for attention. Music has been reduced to a background filler while engaged in other activities. Just try and sit a 17 year old down to "listen" to a piece of music. They can't.

It is fun to play, but that's about it. Music is a great avocation but a poor man's vocation.

Funny, my mom warned me about a career in music back in the mid 1960's.

Guess she was right.

Making competent music has always been a hobby or poor man's vocation. I think the bottom-line is that the bar for professional music has been raised much much higher by inexpensive access to crutches. Somebody will undoubtedly get there but I doubt it will have very much to do with technology. The innovation record has been skipping for over 20 years.

I've felt this is the main problem for a LOOONG time now too . 

Basically because what I've experienced personally .

For ME to write music and practice nowadays it takes A LOT of will power to set aside time and turn the damn distractions OFF !! With all the gadgets , ENDLESS amounts of entertainment , I have to force myself not to waste time , sit down and work on music . Not that I don't enjoy working on or listening to music , its my favorite thing to do . But with the internet , Netflix , video games , email , Forums , Facebook , cable TV with DVR recording hours and hours of TV, Sports .........I'm just bombarded with endless amounts of entertainment . I don't even have a smart phone , I DON'T WANT ONE ! It will just be another way to waste more time . 

And thats the problem today . People can't even sit still and think for 5 seconds without going on that smart phone again , internet , texting......

It takes a hell of a lot of time and devotion to get good at an instrument and write great songs . If all your attention is consumed with the gadgets and constant entertainment today , you ain't gonna have time or enough focus for music . Theres only so many hours in a day .