(Although I would prefer dissonance as a substitute)
To me, dissonance can imply something that is pleasing to the ear. For example, a minor 9th interval (again, I'm sure you know what that is). I hear minor 9ths a lot in 20th century classical music, and it sounds cool. I also hear it in big band horn arrangements, but they only occur for very brief intervals, like 1/16th notes and 1/32nd notes. But when I hear a minor 9th interval in the context of electronic music and used in a sustained chord over the span of 4 measures, then that just sounds awful and 'clashing'.[/quote]
I just wanna say minor 9ths sound beautiful, dissonant sure but you can def sustain them. And as for people who are naively unaware of their incompetence at actual theory, just let them progress(or not progress) on their own. More room at the top if plebs can't figure out how to stay in a key.