I had an enjoyable experience watching the 2018 Grammys on Sunday. While it was widely panned in the media for low ratings and too much politics, I was ready for the politics, I enjoyed many of the performances and, as an added bonus, I got a really good concept to think about for change, which is always a passion of mine.
It hit me towards the end of the show as the phenomenally talented Bruno Mars made his final acceptance speech. It was a good spirited recollection of his early years as a performer in Hawaii tied to a statement of the desire he realized to bring diverse peoples together with songs that were written with nothing but joy and for only one reason: Love. The message here was simple and uplifting. It was also the most subtle message delivered on a night when a LOT of people wanted to get their respective points across at any cost.
Some of the louder statements included:
- Joy Villa's "Choose Life" wardrobe choice
- the intro to the U2 performance
- Bono yelling into an American Flag themed bull horn in front of the Statute of Liberty (he's Irish, by the way)
- The distasteful reading of Michael Wolff's "Fire and Fury" featuring Hillary Clinton.
The above represent the most overt and unsubtle of messaging from people who pride themselves in having influential voices. It seems that these days, the art of subtlety has come to be seen as an undesired practice. The way folks at the Grammys attempted to literally and/or figuratively scream their messages at the public seems reflective of a society where subtlety is mistaken for weakness. Tone, volume, tactfulness and indeed subtlety would appear to be identified as traits of ineffective communication these days. Why else would they so infrequently be used in a public forum? Is it that he who yells loudest is heard most? Is it the desire to leave no ambiguity regarding the fact that one takes the popular and accepted positions on important matters? There likely is a real fear these days in the pop culture crowd of being labelled a sexist or a Trump supporter, to the point that few would leave anything to chance with a subtle message.
But there is a flip side to bullhorn mentality. Most of the shouting that took place at the Grammys was not particularly rich in meaning or conviction. There was not much love shown. People were treated to some laughs but also likely felt some emotions of anger and anxiety stirred by much of the commotion. It's also unlikely that observers came away with one or more solid and profound thoughts to keep with them from all this loud messaging.
The artists who performed beautifully in support of the #MeToo movement (Kesha et al) and those who did the same regarding suicide prevention and help (Alessia Cara, Khalid, et al wiht 1-800-273-8255), on the other hand, were admirable, inspiring and thought-provoking.
And then there was Bruno, standing there at the end, having won everything, wanting to speak only of the greatness of those who have inspired him and his singular desire to make music that uses the simple concepts of joy and love to bring people together from around the world. There is a subtle message there that I won't ruin with any further loud or pointed analysis. It was simply wonderful.
Give subtlety a chance as a part of effective and powerful communication. It has worked in the past and it continues to work now.
CW