I think there's somewhat of a leap of logic in there. The idea that the transition to the present era is due to the end of artificial scarcity is questionable considering how many confounding variables there are.
Look at the graph of real median income vs. per capita gdp or productivity, income has been flat even while the economy grows. And this somewhat understates the problem because the economy today is different than what it was back in the 1970s. A huge segment of the working class is being pinched, economically, and they have less money to spend than they might otherwise. It shouldn't be shocking that people are spending less on things like music when they can do so. That doesn't necessarily mean that they wouldn't spend plenty if their earnings were in line with pre 1980 historical norms, however.
Look at the graph of real median income vs. per capita gdp or productivity, income has been flat even while the economy grows. And this somewhat understates the problem because the economy today is different than what it was back in the 1970s. A huge segment of the working class is being pinched, economically, and they have less money to spend than they might otherwise. It shouldn't be shocking that people are spending less on things like music when they can do so. That doesn't necessarily mean that they wouldn't spend plenty if their earnings were in line with pre 1980 historical norms, however.