The Newly Self-Aware Taylor Swift

How is Swift "grappling with the patriarchy"? Get real. She's made an incredible fortune and been given every aid in the book. Now she's a "victim"????

Talk about a patriarchy! Two men judging whether Taylor Swift's revealing, open, honest, and personal documentary is a piece of manipulative propaganda or truly heartfelt is a stunning piece of condescension. One thing even they can agree on is this women's talent. Give the girl a break. And shame on you.

One of my kids has been sucked into the carefully marketed money machine Taylor Swift. Ask Ms. Swift, would she be so "aware" and active if the money wasn't there? The answer is no. America is promoted by celebrities with their "charities" that provide them with ego boosting exposure designed to make them more $$ as they write off their "generosity" by deducting all their "philanthropy" from their taxes, more $$ in their pockets paid for my taxpayers. No wonder so much of the world hates us. And that so many of us hate the Greed that has become Amerika.

She found ageism now, has she. Has she talked to Madonna lately? Or even J.Lo?

While I am in support of Taylor Swift's politics and I think it is wonderful that she is so woke and outspoken, watching this documentary made me realize that she has very little talent as a singer and a songwriter. She is very boring and needs to read a book or two, to say the least. Also, what a narcissistic young woman. Every sentence she utters begins with the word "I." Like most young people, she spends most of her time looking at images of herself on her cell phone and being adored. What a dreadfully dull person to spend time with. She has so very little education and having grown up in the limelight, she has really not had any life experience. She is a dreadfully dull person but America loves her. Go figure. America loves terrible music.

When famous people reach that stage in life where they begin to question their assumptions and their circumstances, it's usually because their assumptions and circumstances aren't working for them anymore. This round of questioning by Swift seems to be just another rung on the ladder of her success, and the higher she climbs, the better the view. She can see legions of adoring fans, an army of bag men looking to make a buck off her talent, a squad of jealous rivals who'd like to bring her down a rung or two, and a small handful of people she can trust to act in her best interests. Her previous re-evaluations have led to well-written songs that have proven to be commercially successful, and I'm sure this one will be too.

The scene when she finds out that she wasn't nominated was indicative that she is still stuck thinking her identity is based on what others think. Whatever you observe is not you..................

I have heard TS’s albums on repeat. The new album is mediocre. This documentary was also mediocre. She carefully acknowledges eating disorder, parent with cancer, sexual assault, and naïveté. But they are clearly TS-approved issues. She leaves her home and says, “That’s my front yard. And yes, I realize this is not normal.” But then she is shocked—shocked I tell you—that the music industry is sexist and ageist! Like, if TS wants to make music, she is free to do so. But if she wants to be a pop star, I think it is a bit disingenuous to profit handsomely from pop stardom and then hate it when you’re aging out and not new. That’s pop music, and it is ugly. The Grammy phone call was painful to watch. Not because she didn’t win (she was robbed for Reputation, that is a great album), but because she doubles down: “I’ll just have to make a better album.” I guess we love TS and she loves the game.

“And another indication of Swift’s newfound self-confidence, and self-awareness. “Miss Americana” repeatedly shows Swift coming to realize things about herself that others have known for quite some time.” Thank Goodness, Taylor has been able to cut through the oppressive curtain of all that wealth to over come hardship. Give me a break. Does anyone take this seriously? This might be the largest narcissistic project of all time. “Look at poor me and how I’ve overcome!!” Sorry Taylor, I’m too busy struggling through my own average life.

Taylor Swift is extremely talented and can do things by herself. Why do those two facts, true about so many musicians, have to be interpreted as evidence for the uselessness of men? Successful male stars aren't evidence for the uselessness of women. Today's woke culture is reminiscent of the Soviet Union in the 30s and 40s, where you might expect to see a music reviewer shoehorn in praise of Comrade Stalin, and probably believe it too.

I was impressed with the behind the scenes view of Taylor Swift as a performer and as a person. I felt a better person just watching this documentary. Swift demonstrated how to deal with your detractors and haters in a dignified and positive way. The various people attacking Swift came across as very bitter, ugly people. I think envy is the source of their hate. Swift came across as a very genuine, beautiful young lady.

The forever victim Taylor Swift is absolutely delusional. I watched the long preview of this piece of marketing last night and was appalled by her apparent blindness to her privilege.

After watching the documentary, I was eager to read a review of it. I read this article feeling empty and disappointed. I was expecting insight and depth, especially from the New York Times. Sadly, this article really wasn’t much of anything. I’m not a fan of Taylor Swift’s, but being a woman I’ve followed what she has had to go through publicly by the misogyny of men. From Kanye West jumping on stage before Swift can accept her award for best music video to David Mueller sexually assaulted her publicly. The media is quick to label her playing a victim. While she is actually not only standing up for herself but for others as well. Swift has bravely defended gay rights while her advisor was against it. Kanye West continues to publicly humiliate her on SNL saying that she is fake. He then writes lyrics about Swift and the possibility of them having sex, and it goes on. After Mueller sexually assaulted her and she spoke up about it and took him to court and won. Mueller then sued her for defamation. Mueller says his life is now ruined. Who is playing the victim here? It would have been interesting to have the two journalists of this article do some digging, thinking and reflecting. This clearly didn’t happen. I’m amazed this passed an editor’s desk with approval. I come from a family of journalists and this is just sad. It definitely makes me question my next months subscription of the nytimes.

The patriarchy's her problem? Like, for example, her literal patriarch (her father) who made his money as a stock broker (ie the patriarchy writ financial) and then used that money to help buy her a record contract, a patriarchal move if ever there was one? Seriously, though. Ms. Swift might have legitimate problems with male-dominated culture, but boy howdy has it been a blessing to her as well.

These two GUYS rather prove the point about why the patriarchy needs to go. Patriarchy! It's all they can see and talk about. Gosh, golly, all those men in Taylor Swift's life are portrayed as extras or as obstacles. Gee Whiz! Poor dears! Well, guys, tell me what else is new? How many documentaries about male artists have you seen in which the women in their lives get a lot of credit for their success? In which the women who have collaborated with them get credit for the art they produce? Huh? Huh? I'm waiting . . .

I knew it! It's all men's fault. Especially White Men. Just like those Lifetime Specials.

While I am not a fan , all I have heard from her over the years are stories of love and heartbreak at the hands of bad men . She needs some new subject matter . Being a nice girl gets tired . Enjoy your money , take a break . Billie Eilish is here .

This review had a smorgasboard table of delights to share....and filled our plate with some tasteless beans. Too bad. I watched and found myself wishing I could gab at Taylor's dinner table. Then again, I have wished to dine with JFK and C.S. Lewis to see what it was like to meet the face of God almost simultaneously dying on 11/22/63. So I will use this column to talk to Taylor a moment. * Your days are planned to the hour at least 2 years in advance! This has to smother spontaneity for you. Do not neglect it; skip a stone on water, when dandelions turn puffy...pick one a scatter seeds with your breath. Create a botanical garden of flowers in your home or wherever...to witness seasons. * Dick Cavett interviewed Warren Beatty in the Vietnam days. He spoke eloquently on the "mythology of expertise" and it will help you if you see or read it. Here is a great link: https://mark-markmywords.blogspot.com/2015/10/warren-beatty-related-tv-review-dick.html?m=1 * Long ago at age 30, I learned from my doctor. I told him "I'm exhausted...somethings wrong". A physical showed zip. He told me that metabolism has a big change around age 30 and I will never go back to 19. You will have this too. * You have crafted a business and employ hundreds? thousands? Thank you. *You asked the proposing Japanese couple if it was "planned". They said no. It was. Totally. And detracted the show. *Loneliness is a time to be the seed under soil....just before it "becomes". Embrace those times.

I find two men, making narrative about Taylor Swift amusing and extremely sad. The comments about l, “Taylor 2.0, or 3.1, etc” show me how much you miss the point of her speaking up. She says, “men don’t have to reinvent themselves to stay popular, but women do, over and over...”. Guess you missed that, her point being how full of double standards critics and people are. She’s right. As a woman, I see her points, and the point of the documentary so much clearer. It’s a shame you missed it.

I have no interest in the film or the discussion of it. There is nothing else happening in music, arts, society worthy of earnest attention? Uh.

Taylor Swift is one of the most talented self-marketers in the history of the business of music. A big part of that self-marketing campaign is her willful self-myth as a victim and her use of this trope to gin up righteous energy in her admirers, the main purpose being that she remains center stage in their lives. Her wealthy parents moved to Nashville with the goal of her becoming a star and she was trained from an early age by a coterie of industry professionals: teachers, songwriters, attorneys, talent agents, and musicians. Her talent for playing the victim card to make ordinary people believe that she is one of them reminds me of some other prominent people in our midst. Along with the article earlier this week about how Brad Pitt needs to get more credit in our culture, the uncritical celebrity fandom sneaking its way onto the front page of my favorite newspaper is really starting to get my goat.

Taylor always has and always will be brilliant. Miss Americana showcases that struggle she has to go through to continue producing great art for the people who love her while also balancing her personal beliefs. She’s incredibly brave for fighting for what she knows is right politically because her critics will always find a way to spin whatever she does for the worst. She can wear a black turtleneck and be called “too sexy.” Frankly, I’m incredibly proud of her for everything she is doing and for being so open about it.

I’ve enjoyed Swift’s music on a casual level but found this documentary a fascinating journal of a talented young woman coming into her own. I was very impressed. It portrays a huge talent finding maturity, always a difficult process. I think her career has just begun and we will see great things from this woman.

I'm an old war horse from the movie business and I have always thought that Taylor is the greatest song writing talent since the Beatles. And one thing the Beatles jointly said has always stuck with me. This that was that when they first met Elvis they all came away feeling sorry for him because "he had to go through this alone." Namely world wide fame and universal recognition. They, at least, had each other. Most people have no idea how destructive and poisonous fame can be, which is why I have always been worried for Taylor. But this film has reassured me. Not only is she goodness personified, but she has been very carefully taking herself and her worldwide fame apart and getting her footing. It is so much to deal with, particularly for a girl with her sensibilities, and her honesty, and her powers of self-examination. So I came away from her film with the feeling that she's going to be okay. I'm not going to worry about her any more. She's in good hands. Namely her own.

I'm an old, white guy. While the lyrical content of Swift's work still feels too juvenile for my taste, I think her sense of presentation and production are incredibly sophisticated and well done. She's savvy and naive in the same breath and that's hard to pull off without seeming disingenuous...and she does pull it off. I hope she finds her real power and sense of self and uses it to promote good. Perhaps she's coming to realize that the silence of private thoughts makes one complicit in a very troubled world. We live in a time where we need voices that can speak to power. If an old, white guy can say that, just imagine the power her voice might truly have.

The phoniness of Swift's music is revealed by her desperation for Grammy awards. Apparently, everything she does is geared to winning awards. Where is the art in that? She has already been over-rewarded by the Grammys. Two best album awards, really? Her Reputation album was not very good in any way and deservedly did not receive any nominations in major categories. Her current album has very trite songs (including "Lover") and she has resorted to talk singing rather than real signing.

My (now grown) children encouraged me to watch this, as they know mom loves her Taylor Swift. I watched this through the lens of a real fan and I walked away loving her that much more, much the way I loved Madonna that much more when I watched "Truth or Dare" some years ago. I love watching the artist at work, and this film delivers.

I hope that she realizes that she has earned the right to not have to care about pleasing people anymore. I want so bad for her to stop caring about reinvention and just make the record she wants to make! Her fan base is immense and they will show up--she will always have an audience. I cam away from the documentary feeling happy that we still have a few more decades with her.

Coming to the viewing of this documentary from the perspective of being a very casual fan, I found it to be interesting and for me, educational. What I’m curious about is why two men are writing this article. While I appreciate that men can see and comment on patriarchy and aspects of Taylor’s life, I would have been much more intrigued and interested in hearing from a feminine voice.