A short time ago, I heard of a composer named Daniel Elder who has thus far survived an attempted career assassination.
His crime? A single Instagram post that condemned the burning of the Nashville court house just a few blocks from where he resides.
Maybe the face masks were constricting oxygen and people couldn't think properly. Whatever the case may be, it got real ugly real quick.
Rob Soave gives a detailed account of how a single post on social media essentially ruined his promising career. Read about it https://reason.com/2021/06/15/daniel-elder-cancel-culture-choral-composer-antifa-blm-gia/ (here).
You may be wondering, "James, this is a trumpet podcast; why don't you just focus on trumpet, technique, history, forget all that stuff."
To that I say, "Get your head out of the stand, buddy."
Artists everywhere are terrified of one misstep on social media literally ending their careers. I think this is tragic, because art is the one medium of expression that is best suited to confront this type of groupthink.
Can you name one political speech that rivals the impact of Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, some of John Lennon's stuff, Bob Dylan and the like.
At any rate, when I heard Daniel's story, I felt compelled to reach out and lend my support and ask if I could perhaps interview him about his experience. He replied that he would prefer not to do spoken interviews, but he would be happy to do a written interview so as to think carefully about what he says.
Good thinking.
Add Daniel's experience to the ever-growing list of reasons to stay away from social media. Facebook, Twitter and the like are useful when used responsibly - but the end result seems to lead to the climate of fear Daniel experienced, and doubtless many folks who just want to provide for their families.
It's also reason #4365 to look for other options when it comes to social media. I've been experimenting with a new platform called https://sociallair.io/ (Social Lair.) It's in beta mode currently, but I'm accepting new members into my own lair.
If you're of the opinion like me that responsible adults should get to use social media too, send me an email and I'll in turn send you an invite.
What follows is the written interview between myself and Daniel Elder. I highly encourage you to https://danieleldermusic.com/ (visit his website) and send a note of support should you feel so inclined.
JN: Can you give an account of what happened from your perspective (specifically about the IG post and the ensuing backlash)? Were you at all known for being outspoken on issues such as race, current affairs, etc.?
DE: As a creative artist I have learned how to be especially sensitive to the human mind. It is crucial if I am to effectively communicate my messages through music. I had become increasingly disenchanted with social media over the past several years as I witnessed groupthink overtake the public discourse. Not just groupthink, but highly controlling, judgemental, and bullying behavior. Those engaging the most in this behavior hypocritically shouted the loudest about tolerance. These behaviors deeply disturbed me. However I had tried my best not to be public in my condemnation of toxicity online. I wasn't outspoken on political or social issues—I was fairly conservative in risking my public image. When I did criticize I usually took great care to be subtle.
The hysteria that washed over my social sphere and the larger populace following the George Floyd incident was a breaking point for me. For the first time I saw a frightening mob mentality of reckless, desperate abandon, played out especially in the violent acts of rioters all across the country. That buildings were burning in my own city was but an extra, acute reminder that it was all very real. In my music I have https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRKvJ38pKtY (written) warnings on mob mentality. I watched my instagram feed flood with posts and stories suggesting racists lay...
