Machine, I would say that image applies fairly well to the topic if people decided not to apply reason behind their actions. :/ I never liked that analogy because it's going on the presumption that people can't put a line down where they realize that's the limit, though it does make a good point all the same, you can only get so "original".
The search for deeper meaning ends when you have found your ultimate answer. His was goat farming.
That aside, you can be as original as you want. especially now a days.
You can't let the use of music theory hinder your thinking when it comes to understanding literally hundreds of years of research and development and application of said topic.
I feel that, with so much music now. Introspection and understanding the self is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY more important than just playing some friggin chords or making siqqqqqq wuuuuubbs brooooooooooooo.
You can literally learn to do that in under 3 months.
I feel that, with all this plur and hippie bullshit, you have to be one with yourself and actually master yourself if you want to be productive in a creative market.
all the business and shit can be dealt with the right type of trusting person, but as a creator you really have to master yourself to a point where you are ok and can learn from messing up.