This is completely and totally a matter of preference and I am in no mood today to discuss personal preferences. I'm glad you think it is so important.
Suffice to say that even SSPX Masses in the U.S. and in France--so-called "low" Masses--are not done the same way in every church. In France, they play the organ in the background throughout the entire low Mass. That would probably drive you crazy too.
The point is that Pius XII authorized the dialogue Mass. If you don't like it, wear earplugs and sit in the loft and follow along with your missal. Nobody makes you participate if you don't want.
The point here was to go to Mark Shea's weblog and show him his explanation of the protection of the Holy Spirit is wrong. That was the point of the thread.
The "dialog Mass" predates Pius XII. Which only makes your point stronger, but I just wished to clarify. At least in concept it goes back to the major liturgical reforms of Pius X, and it certainly was already beginning to be implemented during the pontificate of Pius XI. It's true though, that it became much more ubiquitous during the reign of Pius XII.
I do not wish to redirect the thread to a discussion of dialogue masses, but I think I have to clarify something.
I have no problem with an organ playing at low Mass, so long as it is in tune and not playing something which detracts from the Mass. I have no problem with a choir singing, when they are singing in a way that enhances the Mass and doesn't draw attention away from the the beauty of what is taking place.
The dialogue Mass, though, often ends up being more distracting. It is like going to a concert where the highly trained and talented orchestra is playing beautiful music, and the person in the seat behind you decides to play along on his kazoo, or decided to bring his trumpet from home to enhance the concert somehow. Even if he was playing beautifully, it would be very distracting unless he was out of the crowd and sitting with the rest of the orchestra where his playing blends in to the harmony. If a person is talented enough to contribute positively to the beautification of the Mass, they should do so by going up to the choir loft. If not, they are just the man sitting in the crowd with a kazoo.
That said, I realize Pius XII allowed it. For one thing, there is a difference between allowing and mandating. For another thing, that doesn't necessarily mean it was a good idea. As I said before, I think this was one of the steps to a misunderstanding of participation in the Mass. I don't know too many people who are ardently for a return to the Traditional Mass who appreciate a dialogue Mass.