So if it was all a terrific KLF weeze we'd all laugh and nod knowingly, realising they'd pulled the wool over our eyes once again? But as it stands, this is still some kind of PR trick that's been pulled a la "Doctorin' the Tardis," just not by someone as 'cool' as Bill Drummond.
The difference in attitude comes from the intent behind it. Bill Drummond (not sure he counted as "cool") did his tricks to see what was
possible, to play with the idea of success, as a result he often did stupid things but not for cynical reasons, not to rip people off, but to play with them. His motives came from curiosity not from wanting to make money - when he made a load of money he burnt it.
The reasoning behind Thom is making money, nothing more That is what makes it cynical, unoriginal and (for some) very depressing.
Probably if this was done because some people truly believed that she had an incredible talent that people would enjoy listening to, then we'd all be happy with it, but because she is utter toss it feels like buying a bag of onions because a clever salesman told you it was gold.