It seems like stan culture makes music less about the songs and more about defending your favorite artist at all costs. Someone who just wants to talk about an album gets shouted down, and that has to hurt the industry. I'm not sure how to prove it, but that's my gut.

Imagine a fan posts a mild review, and a swarm floods the comments with threats until they delete it. That's what I mean. Peruosity, I don't see how your point connects here, and I'm honestly not sure how to argue it, but my gut still says stan armies make music talk miserable.