Are we taking Taylor Swift too seriously? University lecturers have gathered in Australia to talk about the pop star.
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Academics meet to study 'godlike superstar'
Are we taking Taylor Swift too seriously? University lecturers have gathered in Australia to talk about the pop star.
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What's happening?
It is becoming hard to last a day without hearing about Taylor Swift.
The pop star is everywhere: touring the world, rerecording albums, winning GrammysThe most prestigious award in the US music industry. The trophy is shaped like a gilded gramophone. Last year, Billie Eilish won most of the main awards.. She even appears at American football games to support her boyfriend Travis Kelce.
Then, last weekend, the University of MelbourneThe capital of the state of Victoria, and Australia's second largest city after Sydney. in Australia opened its Swiftposium, a three-day academic conferenceA formal meeting, often over several days, for people who are interested in a particular topic. to discuss all things Taylor Swift.
More than 100 people presented papers across 60 subjects. They discussed how Swift affects the music industry, gender, law, literature, sports, economicsThe study of wealth and how it is produced and consumed., pop culture, CPRShort for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. An emergency procedure that is used to save someone's life if their breathing or heart stops. training - and much more.
Swift's influence is enormous. Time magazine named her Person of 2023. At one concert her fans cheered so much scientists could record it like a small earthquakeThe shaking of the surface of the Earth after a sudden burst of energy at a tectonic plate boundary. .
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Some say Swift is even more important because her songs tell young women that their thoughts and feelings are important. In the past, girls' and women's interests have often been labelled as unserious.
But others think we might be taking Taylor Swift too seriously. One hundred years ago, people talked about then-famous musicians, singers and writers. Most of them have now been forgotten.
Are we taking Taylor Swift too seriously?
Yes! Swift is clearly very powerful. But we should not ignore the hundreds of other musicians, artists and campaigners who are making a difference.
No! Swift is a worldwide success. She might be more powerful than any other musician in history. It is only right that we study her.
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Keywords
Grammys - The most prestigious award in the US music industry. The trophy is shaped like a gilded gramophone. Last year, Billie Eilish won most of the main awards.
Melbourne - The capital of the state of Victoria, and Australia's second largest city after Sydney.
Conference - A formal meeting, often over several days, for people who are interested in a particular topic.
Economics - The study of wealth and how it is produced and consumed.
CPR - Short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. An emergency procedure that is used to save someone's life if their breathing or heart stops.
Earthquake - The shaking of the surface of the Earth after a sudden burst of energy at a tectonic plate boundary.
Academics meet to study ‘godlike superstar’
On top of the world: Last year Swift became a billionaire and Time magazine's Person of the Year. Glossary
Grammys - The most prestigious award in the US music industry. The trophy is shaped like a gilded gramophone. Last year, Billie Eilish won most of the main awards.
Melbourne - The capital of the state of Victoria, and Australia’s second largest city after Sydney.
Conference - A formal meeting, often over several days, for people who are interested in a particular topic.
Economics - The study of wealth and how it is produced and consumed.
CPR - Short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. An emergency procedure that is used to save someone's life if their breathing or heart stops.
Earthquake - The shaking of the surface of the Earth after a sudden burst of energy at a tectonic plate boundary.