Swift Economic Impact

It seems your understanding of what "making music" means is inconsistent. You appear to be conflating accessibility, which is a completely different factor. Whether composing, arranging, or performing, making music at a high level is far more difficult than you think.

 

This illustrates the colossal flaw in your understanding of performing high art.

 

Me: "It's easier to lift 400 lbs than 600 lbs"
You: "Lifting 400 lbs is incredibly difficult. You clearly don't know what you're talking about."

So whatever dude. Obviously you're very sensitive about being an artist. That's a you thing, and I'm tired of arguing with you simply because your feathers get ruffled by confronting the fact that it's objectively easier to reproduce any piece of music than a nuclear reactor or a million other technological achievements.

 

Wait, that was your point? Why didn't you say that to start with?

 

Or perhaps your premise is simply flawed. The 400/600 lb analogy is an assumption, as is your suggestion about being "objectively easier." My purpose is to expose fallacious assumptions. You think I'm sensitive about the topic, but imagine if I claimed similar things about your profession/craft/life's endeavor: "Sorry, but you and those in your discipline are lifting a couple hundred pounds less. That's just an objective fact." Wonder how you might respond. I asked what you based your assumption on and you didn't respond.

 

I'm confident enough in myself and my professional abilities to readily admit that what I do is absolutely easier than a ton of other crafts and professions. I routinely have to recreate pro formas and financial presentations for Boards of Directors. Is that hard work that's taken a lot of education and training? Absolutely. But it is objective fact that recreating those documents is easier for me than (for your benefit) recreating a music concert. I can do that work in a matter of hours with little collaboration with others, not having to build a set, etc.

Go back and find where I said creating music or art is easy. Or even where I said that creating it is easier than creating product in other industries. Find me making that statement and I'll apologize for it.

I'm talking only about the ability to repeat it. I'm sorry you're apparently not confident enough in what you do to recognize that there are inherent benefits in your craft compared to others, and that you perceive sleights when someone's trying to point out a strength or advantage. Once you learn a piece of music, can you or can you not play it again without having to start from scratch?

I was never above mediocre-minus on the piano, but I know that the initial work to learn a piece of music was not the same amount of work required to play that piece once I'd learned it. It's virtually the same amount of work and effort required to build the exact same physical technical structure as built 20 times before. That is an inherent advantage for musicians that makes it easier for them to connect with those that appreciate their craft. That's the only point that I was trying to make that put you so on guard.

 

Is Taylor Swift really that much different than Elvis, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, U2, Garth Brooks, Brittney Spears and on and on? The amount of money is a bi-product of global inflation + the internet creating fads around clothing and other "merch".

That I know of, I have never heard a Taylor Swift song. Does not seem like her music would hold much appeal to me, but obviously it appeals to millions. Why be upset about it? Why not celebrate the fact that one woman can bring so many people together and creating a bound community through her music in much the same way that we are all bound together as Gator Nation?

I get that the media over exposure of certain personalities can become too much for us. The hot ones seem to be Swift, Deion and of course President Trump. We grow tired of the endless exposure and discussion, but in the case of Taylor Swift, I am not sure why we need to try and tear her down for being successful.

 

I thought that too until I pulled up a couple of her songs and was like, "oh I didn't know that was her."

 

No need for the personal shot. With that, I'll share one more item and then refrain from engaging you further on the topic. I teach a class in the Psychology of Music. The phases of learning a new piece was among the topics. These phases probably relate to many other musical and non-musical endeavors, including the act of composing music. Note that maintenance is a key part of the process. I'd add that it is an extended phase of one's musicianship.

 

So I just saw the promo for Monday's nights Chiefs/Jets game. Very subtle.

First and last Chiefs image is Kelce and the song is "Welcome to New York" by TS.

 

I never met her. Her music reminds me of the 1990's, when boy bands were allowed to participate in the music industry. The music came out of a computer program, seemingly randomly-generated.

 

the good ole days right?!?

PS: one of the dumbest arguments I’ve ever seen play out on this website in this thread. Which is remarkable.

 

It's not an argument. I just don't like her music. I think I'm allowed to have that opinion. It's kind of stupid for one poster to decide that another poster is not allowed to have an opinion on what music he likes.

 

This just in: Taylor Swift concerts cause amnesia. Seriously.

What is Taylor Swift amnesia? Swifties report they can’t remember her concerts for this reason

 

And the dollars keep on rolling in

Taylor Swift Eras Tour Movie Box Office Heads for Record Opening – The Hollywood Reporter

 

We need Taylor helping out with NIL!

 

Prime Video's 'Thursday Night Football' Ratings Surge as Taylor Swift Boosts Surging Live Sports Streaming | Cord Cutters News

 

It is literally amazing. I don't understand it. I don't mean that pejoratively. I just mean I don't understand it. But I have immense respect.

It's just such a cultural phenomenon. I realize a 61 year old isn't supposed to fully understand current cultural phenomena, but I usually feel like I have at least an outsider's understanding. Either way, it feels like a force for good

 

No matter how superior to us they may be, extraterrestrials probably feel the same way. We also know what "Get Schwifty" really means now.

(1) Get Schwifty Music Video | Rick and Morty | Adult Swim - YouTube