It used to be well lit. Apply to a famous institution, get picked. Get the agent of an agent or A&R person. Get picked. Get good grades… get picked.
Now, many of the “pickers” have little influence or power.
Instead of the reassurance that comes from someone else telling us what to do and then rewarding us when we comply, we each have the chance to show up and contribute. And, if we can, do it again.
It seems crowded and chaotic and uncertain.
And then we get to do it again.