You were once
(of course), but it’s not
that world anymore.
Do you remember
summer days
when you could enter a coffee shop
without people noticing?
When you could read a book in the park,
the sun on your full face?
When you could walk home
under the evening’s raspberry sky?
The internet flattens people.
We know it. We hate it
when it happens to us;
you are different—
separate.
People are allowed to be complicated,
deserve shape, depth, empathy.
People need you, however,
to fit a narrative with
plot points and themes
clear as a Hallmark movie.
You cannot deviate
from the ideas in their heads.
You are an object—
a doll for fantasies of wish fulfillment.
How long has it been
since you could act without acting?
Since you could do something without the next ten moves planned?
Since you could talk to someone without your mask on?
Your wealth
—deserved or not,
ethical or not—
makes you a symbol,
a proxy
for whatever debate
the algorithm decides to prioritize.
It’s not your name
anymore;
it’s a brand,
a buzzword,
a search engine optimization.
You are an object—
a tool for the exploitation of consumers.
When was
the last time
you could share a thought
without having to consider
the opinions of CEOS or heads of state?
The last time
you could answer a question
without having to consider
the fates of the hundreds of employees who depend on you?
The last time
you could post a picture of your lunch
without having to consider
the moral implications of your plating?
You chose
to make art,
to share it with people.
You didn’t choose
to not be a person.
We did that
to you.
You Are Not a Person (For Taylor Swift)
Published
M. Espinosa 
Yeah, this is for sure one of the dark sides of fame 😦
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For sure!
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One of the cultural niceties that I enjoyed in Australia was tall poppy syndrome. Even though a person may be considered famous, if they exhibit any arrogance about it, they will soon be cut down. It seems to mix in some humility with their success. And the real arrogant ones go to America! Haha!
Like you say at the end ‘we did that to you.’ It takes a person of strong character to deal with the pushing and pulling of hands all over you.
Cool write. 👏
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That makes a lot of sense! There’s definitely this ick for seeming to flaunt your success, but if you act TOO humble, then you’re being annoying too. It seems like such a narrow lane you have to live in all time.
Thank you!
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I think Keanu Reeves seems to be showing the way, though personally, I don’t really understand why he is famous. (Maybe he feels the same!)
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I feel like Keanu has a good balance too! He chose the right combination of movies to cement himself in the nostalgia machine for a lot of people. I can’t judge, the Matrix was my favorite movie for a LONG time!
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He’s been in some great movies but I’ve always thought that he is a terrible, stiff, wooden actor.
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Totally fair. The only things that come to mind for me are action sequences, not nuanced performances.
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