Posts Tagged Opinions

By Kendall Allen

Countless many were enraptured last week by the sneaky vocals of Susan Boyle. Her talents, unveiled on “Britain’s Got Talent,” were unexpected by those who prejudged her for her appearance. Wait — that was everyone. The doubters evidently were most of those present, both panel and audience.

However, watching the video that ignited the Internet and conversation everywhere, it was those who had the opportunity to see the astonishment moment by moment and either identify with or dissect this social study, whose reaction is most interesting. By the end of the week, after millions of views, it was not just about the sweet talent. This whole thing had become a parable. It’s not that it necessarily signified or even portended anything particular to our business realities — but we do love our analogies and metaphors, especially during times of increased uncertainty. I am convinced we needed Susan Boyle right now.

As people everywhere showered plaudits on this woman for her vocal gifts, the giddiness was clearly about more than Boyle’s lovely and resonant performance. My inner balladeer was certainly touched. But, we must admit there is a certain glee — a reflex that all might be righter than we thought — when we see someone or something so judged by its cover, shine its truth through. Especially when the switcheroo is so extreme. And, when in addition to our shock, we get to actually watch others be shocked, from this vantage point in the digital age.

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