I think the premise of the thread is true. In most areas of achievement, a complete appreciation for the skills of an expert is limited to those who have, through either experience of study, made themselves capable of such appreciation. Still, I think that other factors affect whether the skills of an expert will be appreciated.
An underqualified judge of a performance or achievement will be very greatly influenced by things that are peripheral to a performance. The violinist experiment is fascinating, and shows that the setting and mood of a moment can greatly affect how we react to things. Still, it's a case of misdirection, for our preconceived notion of the train station instrumentalist is that they are financially stricken and scraping for money. "If they were really good, they wouldn't be playing here," will be a thought crossing the minds of many listeners. The expert trapped in a seedy environment is less likely to have their skills properly appreciated.