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I am not sure what the future will hold but I don't think it's wise to shut the door and deny the reality of further change. I can't say with one hundred percent certainty that the Legendarium will be regarded in the same light as the Arthurian tales are today, but I think there is a strong possibility this will happen.
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It is an interesting idea, contemplating how the works will be regarded in the future, but I think that is overevaluating the internet. Tokien (among other great authors) utilized a spark that ignites the imagination and creative passion. But because more people have access to it (fanfics or the like), rather than the few close geek friends (or no one) in past years, doesnt elevate the phenomena. Just puts more eyes on it.
Change is inevitable for culture, but not for the product of JRRT. Just like any other classic - its all about the source material. Anything other than the source is tangential. If you want your child to learn about Homer, are you going sit him\her down with James Joyce?
I dont have the Letters handy, but I was always under the assumption that JRRT was distressed and a little perturbed by fans who took his work too..... seriously (ME weddings, etc). The idea that his stories would take a Paul Bunyan type of living legend to them .... in my opinion, would be that he would take affront and offense as an artist.
I consider ME about as "real" as RE Howards Hyborian kingdoms. I would assume that JRRT considered his legendarium about as "real" as the Arthurian legends or the Kalevala. ME was JRRT's own splinter of light. It has always been those little grains of "Truth" that makes a story a Story. That Truth is what gets passed on, not the story.
Like what Lal said, if your a writer then write. If you a painter then paint. It's all those little truths that make all those little splinters. Find your own splinter, rather than hallowing out Tolkien's, and trying to make a log out of it.