I agree that it's generational. I also agree that it's maddening to walk into a guitar store and here all of that shredding going on - especially when most of them aren't very good at shredding.

I had one great experience that goes against the grain of this thread. I was in Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI ( great guitar shop - Elderly Instruments - Welcome - Elderly Instruments ) and I was in the amp room quietly playing I Want You (She's So Heavy) through a small Fender tube amp. This kid walks in and sits down about 5 feet away, plugs in, and immediately starts playing the same song about 10 times better than I was. He must have listened to Abbey Road 1000 times. He knew every nuance of that song. I had to admit defeat, so I walked over and complimented him. He just smiled and said, "Thanks." He knew he was good, and I had no problem with that.

As for all the speed demons...at least they're playing guitar.