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Disgust for pop often seems to be reflexive; it's my opinion that it says more about one's perceptions and preconceptions than it does about the music itself.
Genre is a funny concept. I don't personally know of any musician who decides to write a song to genre type, although I'm certain it happens. I can't imagine doing such a thing myself.
Regarding the videos, Mayer is an incredible guitarist; having said that, it's interesting to contrast him with Clapton, who (naturally) is in an entirely different league even to someone of that talent. It's particularly evident to me in the Crossroads video featured above; seems to me that Clapton does more with his opening bend than Mayer did with 24 bars.
My own ideas influence how I perceive Mayer as a man, but I get the idea that a lot of his posturing is meant more in jest than anything else. He seems cocky sure, but he's also very self-deprecating, and makes a lot of references to how he's sold out and is completely amoral and shameless. It strikes me as more of a caricature than anything else. I tend to play up the cocky guitarist/musician stereotype myself in day-to-day life, and am predisposed to see what he does more in that light than to take it seriously. Naturally, having never met him in person, it's hard for me to be sure about his character, but that's the feeling I get.
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I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said
- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame
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