Unfortunately, this article is accurate

A.I. article or not there are some things to consider here. For example:

My son is 15. He loves my "old school" as he calls it ARC tube gear. He occasionally, when invited, likes to listen to a cool song on my Wilsons. But is he curating a system like I did at 15? No way. He builds his own gaming computers, and has some Bryston Tiny T and Subwoofer as audio for his gaming (from me, not is own purchase)  but does not seek out music. Nor do his friends. Lately his interests are in a Gale Banks exhaust system for his diesel Excursion. Not a car stereo. 

I can name names of kids over 16 who don’t drive, and don’t care to. I have no idea why- but it’s common. 

I read a study from a credible source that says kids are having the least amount of sex of any generation since records were kept in the US. (Obviously they don’t know what it’s like to get it on sweatily with Whole Lotta Love cranking on the car stereo) Poor chaps. 

Why do these kids shun all the stuff I loved as a youth?  I have no clue- bit it’s NOT a good thing IMO! 

Hello all, there are some deep observations in some of these posts.  To me it’s each generation that determines their own priorities.  However these generations listen/hear or select their media of choice regardless of equipment, price , genre.  I I will encourage all to just;

Enjoy the music. 

Maybe I'm lucky, but I've been encouraged by some youth at my church that expressed an interest in playing records. I was able to set up up a brother and his sister with each having their own systems. The young man got a used vintage 25w/ch JVC receiver with a pair of Polk T15 speakers mounted on stands, and someone from church donated a Denon LP 45F turntable to the cause, that I mounted a Sumiko Moonstone cartridge on ( i had it laying around and wasn't using it). For his sister, I put together a used Denon turntable with a Fosi BT20A amp with Bluetooth and a Fosi X2 phono preamp, and some Pinnacle 3000 stand mounted speakers. They were both very happy and it all cost less than a pair of budget bookshelf speakers. I heard their parents were listening to their records on the kids systems, so I put something together for them as well! All very inexpensive, but providing decent sound and helping to grow their interest in the hobby!

I always ask audiophiles, how old were you when you bought your first real pair of decent speakers?  For me it was 40.  The kids were a little older, I had a little disposable income for the first time, and I had time to sit and listen as a destination activity.  There are exceptions, but I think many audiophiles grew into it in middle age.  That's why I don't worry about twenty-somethings being thrilled with ear buds.

I have another take on the current condition of the hobby.  I am old (77), grew up in the 60s and was fortunate to have lived through an amazing time for music.  I began with a cheap, what I call a grind-o-matic record player when I was in high school (graduated 60 yesrs ago).  My affair with music began with the Ventures aurf music, but quickly moved on to the Stones, Animals and the British Invasion.  Music was a connective part of my life with my friends.

After getting my invitation from the government to enter the military, I began a journey that put me in a place where music kept me sane while I was in the Army.  I had enough $$ to buy my first decent audio set up with an amplifier, tuner, reel to reel, turntable and decent speakers.  It would be called mi-fi today, but it was heaven to me and my friends when I returned to the states

Music was available to the masses as concerts were affordable and an amazing collection of skilled artists were in their prime. I went to see The Allman Brothers Band on 2 hours notice and the ticket was cheap.  1971 and Duane was still leasing the band.

I say all this as background to my hypothesis that aside from Swifties, no group of fans is waiting with bated breath for the next release of a large number of bands to see what new magic is being made.  That, plus the cost of concerts is on the moon is keeping the young away from live music.  
 

while a rock fan, I had season tickets to the symphony, went to jazz and blues clubs for a 2 drink minimum.  I remember seeing the Newport Jazz All Stars with Milt Hampton on vibes, Harry Belefonte was in the house that night.  My wifes margarita at a mexican restaurant was as much as her dinner last week.

I enjoy the music at home on a decent system, replacing it would be the cost of a new car, but the music to me is no better psychologically than my first quality set of separates.  I can tell the difference most certainly, but the joy is no different.

Onw way to observe this effect is to watch some reaction videos on youtube.  To summarize this long winded rant, it is cost, access and quality that has diminished the attachment to music compared to my youth.