Many artists depend for their living on the constant approval of the smallest possible in-group, their peers and a few critics. This makes them bankable, as long as the echo chamber is consistent.
Jack London wrote a partially autobiographical novel about a writer, once a sailor, whose early work became good and accepted and famous once he became famous. What was wrong with it then? he asked himself.
If the echo chamber remains consistent, the rest of us who want to be considered in the know can’t possibly disagree with the Kewl Kids.
So, an aggressive surrender to the generally accepted views of the echo chamber is a financial necessity.
Some guys take it too far. They even believe it.