I don’t know how many times this year I’ve thought to myself that “I don’t understand the world we are living in right now.”
It’s as if the lines are blurred between fact and fiction; real or fake.
Nothing makes sense yet nothing is surprising anymore.
To be honest, I think we have lost our way: lost a part of ourselves and what makes us human (thanks to the systems that we have allowed to impact our lives and our environments) or, we are in the thick of some global awakening that we need to change because we can’t continue to do what we have always done without hurting our world and each other – which we have already done to a lot.
I’m not saying this as some “woo woo” idea. Simply an observation that we are in the midst of some societal changes that will impact us all. Some good, some not so good.
Ultimately though, I do believe that these will bring some good in the world. I do hope that overall, its love for each other and the world we live in prevails. For now, it seems we are at war with each other and I wonder, my own idealistic self wonders, why we can’t all play along together?
I’m watching with interest on the Taylor Swift phenomenon. A singer and performer who has reached immense global popularity and status. One with an audience so large that she can sway and influence the media. Although I’ve heard a song or two of hers over the years, I’m baffled as to why she has reached the cult-like status of a god in people. With a legion of fans, “Swifties”if you say anything against her, the fans flock around and mock you.
Swift, it seems, can do no wrong.
I’m all for female singers performing their craft on stage. What I’m still scratching my head over is how anyone can reach this stratospheric status where now, it seems, she can influence economics and worse, government.
I think it says more about our society needing something or someone to follow to the point of religious zealotry. I see the fans of Taylor Swift, the constant talk of her and her relationship with Kelce, the footballer; how she’s confusing the conservative right-wing Christian Republicans about where her allegiances lie and I think….why so much fuss about her?
Taylor Swift is currently in Melbourne. Our city is going into meltdown. Psychologists are warning to play down the fact that you have tickets for her concert tonight in case your ticketless friends have FOMO. Hotels and restaurants, rubbed their hands with glee and have jacked up their prices astronomically knowing that they’ll have customers willing to pay anything just to experience the night Taylor Swift came to Melbourne.
All I see is that there’s a massive marketing engine that everyone is getting onboard with and most of all, it starts with Swift’s marketing team.
The claim it’s all about “community” but a community is not about making actions that build more fans so they can spend more money or spread the word.
Swift is an evangelist. I see her no different to any evangelical church, her “community” are her followers in her church.
People can follow who they want to follow but the moment it becomes an obsession, a fervour, or if these “false gods” start swaying and influencing matters of the economy, the market and the government, I think it says more about the state of who we are and where we are as people.
We seem to be the pawns of invisible marketing engines behind these evangelists simply because of sheer numbers.
Swift can say that the sky is green and the grass is blue and people would believe her: and that’s a dangerous thing when people prefer to follow these influencers without taking some time to question, critique, research and determine things for themselves.
That’s why I don’t understand this world.
I’m at odds with the reality (capitalist, market driven, agendas, mass socialisation, profit, resource stripping) than the possibilities (humanity, creativity, equality, empathy, community, spirit).
Kimberly says
I agree with everything you wrote. I am blown away by the hero worship of Taylor Swift. Her music all sounds the same. She can’t dance or even move well. She struts uncomfortably on the stage. I keep hearing what a brilliant song writer she is. She strings some words together nicely, but I can do that. And, full on adults are buying into this BS. It’s not just preteen girls. There are so many singer/songwriters out there today, who in my opinion, are so much better than she is. Are people in this world so desperate to have something , anything to hold onto in their lives? There is definitely a desperation to it. On a much larger scale than Elvis, but I remember being bemused when, people who didn’t know him, stood outside of his Memphis home and cried hysterically because he died. It’s all bewildering. Can you imagine what people would do, if God forbid, something bad happened to Taylor? It would be like the Great Depression. People would be throwing themselves off of buildings. With all that being said, she seems to be a nice person. She’s really cute and she’s funny and self deprecating in interviews. And, she lets everybody in emotionally. But then, those things are the driving force for the Taylor worship. I can’t imagine it’s her music!
Helen Blunden says
I do wonder if it’s a sign of the times of “celebrity status”? I don’t get it. It’s bigger than any other celebrity from the past. She seems to drive the economy…..🤣