"Everything else about pop music is highly synthesized and scientifically produced. Why not the vocals?"

I sense you think this is a bad thing... Are cars made by hand any more? Does being made by robots make a car any less fantastic?

Is the robot praised for its creative brilliance and held up as an 'artist' also?

Most of the cars that would be considered "the best" are still hand-made, at least to a large degree.

The difference though is that a car is a physical object produced by a persons talent. A vocal track is (in spirit at least) something produced directly, or a direct output of the vocalist. Part of the mystique is supposed to be the fact that not everyone can carry a perfect tune. Except than when you apply too much technology post-processing, you eliminate the exclusivity (and garbage up the track at the same time).

This reminds me of the time I attended a clinic taught by Marty Friedman (ex Megadeth guitarist). The audience had a few "purists" who seemed miffed that he'd strayed from his roots to perform pop-music in Japan. After being asked about the merits of his new endeavors he simply responded (paraphrasing) "Who wants filet mignon at every meal? Sometimes I just want a cheeseburger from a fast food joint".

I don't think it's a bad thing. I think the result is generally cliche crap, but some people like it, so whatever floats your boat.

I just think it's strange to apply inconsistent standards to the same genre. It's ok that the music is precision-engineered on a computer, but not the vocals? Have it one way or the other.

Robots make copies of cars. Just like computers make copies of music.

Actually, the vocals can be synthesized (sort of):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocaloid

I said 'sort of' because the entry said "with specially recorded vocals of voice actors". It isn't completely synthesized.