I read an article this morning that discussed Taylor Swift fans in Argentina who have been camping out since June for her fall concert. You know…front row. I find myself in awestruck WTF mode. I wrote this poem from a perspective I usually disdain–Boomerism. In other words if I can’t understand, then it is not worth getting it. I think there might have been a time when I valued music like the swifties do, but that is long gone.
We Make the Path by Walking It…Until we Grow Weary of It
There isn’t enough time in the day
For me to get what makes Taylor Swift fans tick,
but judging by those swifties who camp out
For six months to get front row access
their lives might just be too cheap to meter
And maybe I have finally become
an incurious and skinflint Boomer
Unwilling to spend even a little cognitive surplus
toward getting this.
I don’t even want to explore
with the kind ministrations of generative AI’s.
The world’s path has twisted well beyond my vision.
I’m tired.
So be it.
I have left myself an out. I asked a couple of generative AI’s to at least give me an outline of how I might cast off my Boomerism.
Here is the outline from Claude:
Here are some suggestions for readings that could help provide perspective on Taylor Swift fandom:
– “The Passion of the Fans” by Joli Jensen (Journal of Fandom Studies, 2018) – Discusses the devotion and community of music fans, using Taylor Swift fans as a case study.
– “Taylor Swift, Fandom, and Feminism” by Kirsty Fairclough (Celebrity Studies, 2020) – Analyzes Taylor Swift’s feminist messaging and how her young female fans connect with and are empowered by it.
– “Scaffolding Swifties: Online Community Building Among Taylor Swift Fans” by Mel Stanfill (Transformative Works and Cultures, 2021) – Looks at how Taylor Swift fans have built robust online communities and support systems.
– “Fandom in the Digital Age” by Paul Booth (Journal of Fandom Studies, 2015) – Provides an overview of how digital media shapes modern fandom culture and activities like camping out for concerts.
– “Music in the Digital Age: The Emergence of Digital Fandom” by Nancy Baym (Popular Communication, 2018) – Discusses how digital platforms enable and amplify music fandom in new ways.
I’d also suggest reading some personal essays by Taylor Swift fans reflecting on what her music means to them and why they’re so dedicated. Getting first-hand perspectives from fans of various ages could provide useful insights into your questions. Let me know if you need help finding relevant fan accounts or essays to read. The key is getting into the mindset of the fans themselves.
Here is an collection of links from Metaphor responding to the same prompt:
See what I mean about not having cognitive surplus to answer this question?
How about just podcasts?
Sure, here is a program of podcasts that can help you understand the motivations of Taylor Swift fans:
Week 1: Understanding Taylor Swift’s Music and Appeal
- “Why We Love Taylor Swift”: This podcast by Vulture explores the reasons why Taylor Swift is such a beloved and successful artist.
- “Taylor Swift: The Podcast”: This fan-run podcast delves into Taylor Swift’s music, videos, and personal life.
Week 2: Exploring the Swiftie Community
- “Swiftie Nation”: This podcast focuses on the Swiftie fan community, their activities, and their impact on Taylor Swift’s career.
- “The Taylor Swift Project”: This podcast interviews Swifties from all over the world, sharing their stories and perspectives.
Week 3: Analyzing Taylor Swift’s Lyrics and Storytelling
- “Genius Annotation of Taylor Swift Songs”: This podcast breaks down Taylor Swift’s lyrics, providing insights into her songwriting and storytelling techniques.
- “Taylor Swift Song Explanations”: This podcast explains the meaning behind Taylor Swift’s most popular songs.
Week 4: Discussing Taylor Swift’s Cultural Impact
- “Pop Culture Pop Off”: This podcast discusses Taylor Swift’s impact on popular culture, including her influence on music, fashion, and social media.
- “The Ringer’s Taylor Swift Show”: This podcast analyzes Taylor Swift’s albums and their impact on the music industry.
Additional Resources:
- Taylor Swift’s official website: https://www.taylorswift.com/
- The Taylor Swift fan wiki: https://fanlore.org/wiki/Taylor_Swift
- The Taylor Swift Redditor community: https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwift/
By listening to these podcasts, you will gain a deeper understanding of Taylor Swift’s music, her fans, and her cultural impact. You may even find yourself becoming a fan yourself!
Permalink //
I admire Taylor Swift for the way she is motivating young people to vote.
Beyond that, I’ve spent more time thinking about her by reading this article (I did not open the links) than I probably have at any time in the past.
However, if someone asks where they can start to learn about her and her fans I’ll be sure to point to this article.
Permalink //
Thanks, partner, for considering and reconsidering this post. I am grateful.