Problem:
Hartley summarizes his theory as "there are certain people who start out great and they get greater and greater, but they're so great that we don't understand them," and has described it as "a more 'optimistic' way to enjoy rock 'n' roll, because it eliminates the tyranny of what's supposed to be cool or trendy." However, Rolling Stone critic Rob Sheffield has criticized this view, saying that it is "really just a way for Advancement proponents to appreciate shitty music by people they consider to be nonshitty."
1. What is your assessment of Advancement Theory?
2. Is Hartley being earnest, or wry?
3. Can this theory be applied equally well to "classical" composers or others outside of pop music (which is almost exclusively what Hartley discusses)?