Are you aware of the existence of another Queen Mary University of London? Surprisingly, there is one, and it’s located outside the UK! It’s a Belgian institution that has recently introduced a new course named “Literature: (Taylor’s Version),” which will commence in the upcoming autumn. Additionally, scholars are planning to convene in Australia for an event called “Swiftposium” next February. How thrilling!
In the United States, there is currently buzz surrounding a famous singer and her political impact. Using her Instagram account, she motivated 35,000 new voter registrations in one day. Fans are also fascinated by “Swiftonomics,” which explores how Taylor Swift helps businesses thrive wherever she goes. The governor of Illinois claimed that just three nights of concerts in Chicago boosted tourism significantly. Speculation about Swift’s relationship with an NFL player resulted in a 400% increase in sales of his jersey. One online research company even suggested that if Swift were an economy, she would surpass 50 countries due to her dedicated fan base.
The idea of powerful leaders who conquer nations is something that intrigues many people. Recently, a trend on TikTok has shown that men are particularly interested in learning about the Roman empire. On a different note, a psychiatrist was featured in the New York Times for discussing how her patients have been heavily influenced by Taylor Swift. She helps them work through various challenges in their lives, but they can sometimes become distressed when Swift concerts approach. Patients may worry about returning to their daily routines after the event ends.
Taylor Swift, like Bob Dylan, is often hailed as a musical genius. This raises the question: is she truly 50 times more talented than other aspiring musicians who struggle to make ends meet from their parents’ basements? In comparison, Swift seems like a giant among the small, with those possessing even a fraction less of her talent or luck struggling to make minimum wage for their entire lives. Moreover, there exists a parallel universe, perhaps just a step away from our own, in which a 33-year-old Swift continues to perform in country music clubs while another artist reigns supreme in the music industry.
In the competitive world of music and the arts, only a small number of individuals achieve great success and financial wealth, leaving many struggling to make ends meet. This is particularly evident on platforms like Spotify, where an artist needs at least six million streams to earn the UK’s minimum wage for a year. Shockingly, just one percent of musicians benefit from 90% of the profits generated. The same trend can be seen in gaming and visual arts, which highlights the severity of this global issue. The lack of a strong middle class exacerbates the problem, leading to economic instability and a decline in innovation. Although established artists like Taylor Swift and the Rolling Stones remain successful irrespective of their quality, many innovative artists have been neglected by the industry, either burnt out or left without adequate financial support. Ultimately, the concentration of wealth at the top creates a monoculture that is detrimental to the environment, a problem that is replicated in the music and arts industry where few succeed, and many struggle to receive recognition for their creative efforts.
Achieving fame can come with its downsides, even for those who manage to attain it. Our natural inclination to thrive in small groups of 15 to 50 means that being at the top of millions of fans can be overwhelming. As a result, the desire to both idolize and overthrow people in power cannot be controlled when dealing with large numbers, which can lead to both adoration and abuse for celebrities. It’s not easy to pay attention to critics without risking one’s survival in the public eye, which is why many celebrities struggle with addiction and mental health issues. Conversely, those who ignore critics can become complacent, leading to a decline in their work. The arts industry poses a unique challenge since success often relies on luck. Even experts can’t accurately predict winners, as seen by the rejection of artists like Elvis Presley and JK Rowling. Public tastes are fickle and influenced by the opinions of others. In a world where superstardom reigns supreme, luck can ultimately be the deciding factor. The film Yesterday portrays this unpredictability with a struggling musician who plays the Beatles’ songs without success, serving as a parable on the arbitrary nature of fame.
The narrative behind the screenplay of the film “Yesterday” goes beyond what meets the eye. Jack Barth, the original author, lacked the clout to bring his innovative concept to life. Consequently, Richard Curtis, a more established writer, took over the script and transformed it into a tale about a Beatles copycat who achieves stardom with their music but ultimately abandons it for a peaceful life with Lily James. According to Barth, Curtis minimized his contribution to the screenplay during interviews, demonstrating how fame supersedes talent in the entertainment industry. Barth, a relatively unknown writer, remained anonymous while Curtis, who was already renowned, became even more successful. Hence, being skilled alone is insufficient to thrive in this field.