. Taylor Swift is skilled at using deceptive communication, as seen in her correspondence with Joe Alwyn, as well as her reputation for lyrics filled with hidden meanings.

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As many of you may have noticed, there was a recent report stating that Taylor Swift and Emily Dickinson are distantly related as sixth cousins, three times removed. This information was shared by Ancestry.com, which I believe was mainly used as promotion for Swift’s upcoming album, “The Tortured Poets Department”. In other words, it could be called the “Tortured Promo Department”. Fans who looked into the details have calculated that Swift could potentially have 3.3 million sixth cousins, three times removed. While she may also be related to controversial figures like Ayn Rand or slave-owners, there has been no exclusive coverage on these possible connections. This was pointed out by a broadcaster, revealing not just a coincidence but also how the Swift team may be using this information for their own benefit. Rather than showing a proud lineage to a famous poet, it seems to instead highlight their tactics of keeping a carefully constructed facade.

The Dickinson link is primarily harmless entertainment, although it may be a bit excessive. (And devoted Swift followers already knew: it was discovered in 2020 when she released the folksy Evermore album on Dickinson’s birthday, as she is very intentional in her actions.) However, there are riskier methods in which Swift plays with implications, particularly considering her previous statement that she has “trained” fans to search for clues and connections in her work. What began as a charming treasure hunt that revealed genuine information about the subjects of her songs and upcoming release dates – such as the highlighted letters in her liner notes spelling out a message or the number of holes in a fence – gained popularity like wildfire, causing her admirers to become detectives and analyze every aspect of Swift’s appearance, including her outfits, nail polish color, and Instagram posts, for hidden meanings. While it may be a clever way for her to have fans promote her without relying on traditional media, it has also created a sense of entitlement among some fan groups who believe they have a responsibility to defend and promote her, leading to attacks and smear campaigns.

Months before its release, fans of Swift’s music have been closely examining the track list for her upcoming album “Tortured Poets Department.” This has led to intense speculation about the content of the songs, particularly regarding her past relationship with British actor Joe Alwyn. The album’s title was unveiled at the Grammy awards, and was quickly connected to an interview from 2022 in which Alwyn and Paul Mescal mentioned their group chat with Andrew Scott, called the “Tortured Man Club.” After Alwyn mentioned that the chat hadn’t been used much lately, fans wondered if it had recently been revived. A day later, Swift revealed a few track titles, such as “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys” and “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived,” which sparked even more speculation among her fans.

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Swift has the freedom to express herself about her romantic relationships in whatever manner she chooses, without needing to apologize to Eamonn Holmes. However, some followers have been spreading unverified and harmful accusations about Alwyn’s actions (which I cannot repeat due to legal reasons). Recently, a video taken by a fan of Swift and Alwyn dining in a New Orleans restaurant in December 2022 resurfaced online with manipulated audio, making it seem like Alwyn said “you don’t get to tell me about sad,” a lyric from one of Swift’s new album’s physical editions. When Swift mentioned feeling lonely while writing her 2020 album Folklore – some of which was written with Alwyn during the isolation of the pandemic, viewers took this as evidence of their speculations. A live performance consisting of three songs that seemingly allude to infidelity added fuel to the fire.

Swift has the power to put a stop to this. She has made it clear in the past that she is not afraid to express her dissatisfaction with individuals and entities such as Ticketmaster, Scooter Braun, Spotify, Apple Music, and at times, even politicians. Prior to the release of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) last year, she delivered a subtle message at one of her Eras tour dates, urging her fans not to attack John Mayer, whom she had dated at the age of 19 when he was 32 and is believed to be the inspiration behind the song “Dear John” on the album. “I am not releasing this album so that you feel the need to defend me on the internet against someone that you think I wrote a song about 14 years ago when I was 19,” she stated in Minneapolis. However, this time she has chosen to remain silent for unknown reasons, as the public is not aware of what may have transpired between her and Alwyn. Setting a standard for behavior is not a risky or unprecedented move: just last week, Ariana Grande spoke out after the release of her album about her divorce, stating, “Anyone who is sending hateful messages to the people in my life based on their interpretation of this album is not supporting me and is doing the complete opposite of what I would encourage.”

It seems to be the final act of a game of cat and mouse that has gone too far. Swift’s attempts to convey meaning have resulted in all of her actions being perceived as marketing tactics, each one seen as a clue to be deciphered. This leaves the usually savvy superstar vulnerable to misinterpretation: some fans turn her hints about her personal life into witch-hunts against anyone perceived to have wronged her, while politicians use her name for their own purposes, such as the New South Wales police commissioner quoting Swift’s anti-hate lyrics while defending the police, and Joe Biden joking about her coveted endorsement being “classified” on Late Night With Seth Meyers. When Swift shared a generic handwritten post urging US citizens to register to vote on Super Tuesday, some fans speculated that her slightly left-leaning handwriting was a subtle indication of her political leanings – a sign of how hungry they are for any substance in her messages due to the dynamic she has created. (The more likely explanation is simply the way she holds a pen.)

If Swift only voices her desires when it benefits her, it diminishes her credibility as a truth-seeker. If she truly relates to Dickinson, she should understand that words hold immense power in the world.

This segment is excerpted from the Guardian’s weekly newsletter, Swift Notes, which covers all things Taylor Swift. Subscribe here.

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Source: theguardian.com