Art and music had been absolutely unnecessary for aeons, but the freaks wouldn't let it die. People made fools of themselves: strumming lutes, prancing about like peacocks, and noodling on their harpsichords. Suddenly there were painters and mimes in the streets. Travelers dared to postulate that there were exciting new things in distant lands.
People were using tools and machines that defied the logic of our ancestors. While the feral faithful gaped and grumbled, the "civilized" unfurled their tendrils of inescapable fanglery. Once again, the simple folk were forced to adapt or be ridiculed.