It just seems that more and more, beginning and intermediate drummers focus on the extremes of speed and independence at the expense of making music. It's because of this that they'll be left out of gigs in later life.
A BIG reason for this is....
Young people are finding less and less musicians to play with.
With the up start of Guitar hero and Rock Band....young people are losing the courage to stand in a room with 3 other people and suck at something for awhile.
They don't want to take the years to become a well rounded musician. They only want to spend a few days to get good pressing buttons on a drum or guitar controller to impress their friends. This is immediate and does not hurt the modern day ego.
I'm just looking at it from a practical point. Everybody should read Steve Smith's latest interview in Drumhead Magazine. He talks about this exact subject- how in drumming today there are great strides being made in technique, speed and accuracy but not in groove and feel. Check it out.
I know PLENTY of great groove players in the scene....Steve's not listening to the right stuff....Greb, Mayer, Prieto, Harrison, Sucherman, etc.....plus a slew of guys locals guys that most wouldn't know.
Also, these "jungle gym" type of players is what get others attention.
I mean....think about it....nobody really comes to their feet, until Vinnie plays some crazy chops.
That's what draws attention and attention is what kids need in this day and age.....god knows they're not getting it from their parents.
Nothing wrong with the young guys setting these types of goals....as long as their are other more experienced drummers leading them in the right direction.
And you have to remember....not everybody want to be a "world class drummer". Some of these guys just want to hit shit....and that's the end of it. Can't blame them for something they don't want to begin with.
The ones who DO want it.....will undoubtedly go get it.
Just another view....
Cheers.
D.