Last word John.... Pop music is manufactured and processed....it is advertised through TV performances and radio play.....Getting on this payola is near impossible unless you are with the establishment and one of their acts. Talent does not even enter the equation.

GAGA is noticed for all the wrong reasons as I stated earlier. If she has to stoop to wearing outrageous indecent garb and flashing her boobies to sell records and get publicity then that tells me two things.
1. She has little self respect and low morals.
2. She has very little musical talent.

To be fair to your points though it seems that nowadays anyone who wants to make it in the business has to follow that template. No need to spend years learning how to play instruments, taking vocal tuition and honing your talents. You just need to look pretty screw a director and flash your boobies at everyone. Then your talent will sell millions.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=687727&songID=5238055