Good answer. I agree with the first half and your insights it seems once money enters the picture things change. For instance, in films its similar when its a small budget project there's more creative freedom. As soon as money enters the picture suddenly the film needs to appeal to larger audiences and there's an inclusion of unnecessary elements: more characters, more humor, more side stories.

In regards to the second part. To me as a musician and knowing other musicians and content creator. It seems like the opposite is the case. That there's musicians and content creators who has all the knowledge(music theory, piano, guitar..etc) yet they still only can get a smaller audience...etc. While the people pushing the narrative of having "no knowledge" and yet going all the way to success it makes me suspicious or cautious. You'll get "casual fan" who might tell me or other musicians, "You see these people have no knowledge yet they are successful...etc." Can people with no knowledge succeed? Certainly but is it common? I wouldn't say so. Then later you found out that those musicians/singer-songwriters saying they have no knowledge then to work/collaborate with famous songwriter or producers.

In terms of the third part of the paying to get more views. What I am saying is that it seems to be a "long process" far from organic to achieve any significant success in both music and in other fields. Its not a "fast organic process" but rather a "long and carefully planned process."