Different strokes, I won't try to prove I'm right or anything, I'd just say that I think knowing music does change the sound going into your ears, at least the way your brain processes what you're hearing. Worth it to anyone who sees music as a big part of their life imo

Again, I'm not meaning this in an insulting way, but you saying any music loved by many is "not too different, mass appeal" is like a non-chef telling Gordon Ramsay his food just doesn't quite have enough pizazz. It's ok to not like something, but I don't think you can discount it in any way unless you're an expert in the field, and I've never met an expert who discounts any of the mainstream "legends"

There's also the trend that modern pop is made to be TikTok background music

Pop has always been the most popular, that's what makes it pop

With phenomenal musicality and creative song structure. Christ, you could say this about 95% of pop artists in the last 10 years and you choose her?

I definitely disagree with your take on mainstream music. Dark side of the moon is hugely experimental, one of the least radio friendly, middle of the road albums to sell millions of copies. I think people like you who prefer edgy, underground artists still a lot of the time try to give reasons the classics aren't "great" to them, rather than just say they aren't their taste. Not knowing anything about music definitely influences the ear as well. Bands like Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, and Pink Floyd are made up of objectively phenomenal musicians, and they definitely use that ability in their song writing. Not being able to recognize harmonies and musical elements, I can see why someone would find them a bit boring. (For the record, David Bowie isn't the type of music I'd download, but I recognize what makes his music creative)

Study blues basics and a little harmony theory, I always thought they were overrated until I could hear what they do

Not in a condescending way, but how much knowledge of music theory do you have? Not every great piece of music will be to everyone's taste, but I've found that usually when someone rejects multiple critically acclaimed songs/albums, they usually aren't yet aware of what makes the music as good as it is, and probably haven't had a lot of exposure to good music in general