> more crowded marketplace for talent

That is “the people” isn’t it? It is the consequence of democratization and openness.

I am not sure if superstars were good representatives of what most people wanted. Often, I am sorry to say, it was the lowest common denominator. Now common people can actually enter the arena and represent their corner of the population.

But, almost by definition, if you are part of “the people”, you don’t get to stand out much.