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Sean Carroll
@seanmcarroll
Bowie is of course brilliant and thoughtful. But I always feel like a wet blanket with "be yourself, ignore everyone else" advice. It might work if yourself is David Bowie! For most people it might be worth listening to other people's opinions just a little bit.
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Nicholas A. Christakis
@NAChristakis
"I think it is terribly dangerous for an artist [or a scientist, I would add] to fulfill other people's expectations." A classic meditation by David Bowie, worth listening to. youtube.com/watch?v=JRtZc_
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Sean Carroll
@seanmcarroll
Replying to
@seanmcarroll
I agree it's important not to *betray* yourself by only seeking the approval of others. But I think there's a balance to be struck. Keep your values alive, but also listen to others. It's a difficult line to walk, but few of us are truly isolated geniuses.
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Ariel Waldman
@arielwaldman
Replying to
@seanmcarroll
As a person, yes, being mindful of other people matters a great deal. But since Bowie here specifically uses the word artist, then I think his point is completely valid. As in, it's not that artists get a free pass as people, but instead about what they create.
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John Carlos Baez
@johncarlosbaez
Replying to
@seanmcarroll
In physics "be yourself, ignore everyone else" is great advice for the budding crackpot. 🙄 And don't forget, Bowie always worked with the best musicians! And he listened to them, and let them make the music better.
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Phillip Helbig
@PhillipHelbig
Replying to
@seanmcarroll
Right. Just because the Queen lives a good life without having to carry money around with her doesn’t mean that it will work for you. Note that the rock opera “Tommy” is about this misconception. 😀