In this first part of two, Michael explores the problem of fame as it relates to artists. What is the problem of fame? How does it negatively affect both successful and unsuccessful artists? Stay tuned until the end to hear “I’ve Found Love in Mississippi” by Porchlight artist Trailand Eltzroth from his record For My Friends and Family.

Articles on Inequality of Popularity Among Artists

“How Much Money Do Visual or Contemporary Artists Make?”

“Data Shows 90 Percent of Streams Go to the Top 1 Percent of Artists”

“(Almost) 100% of the Top 25 Worship Songs are associated with just a handful of Megachurches”

Articles on the Matthew Effect

The Matthew Effect (Wikipedia)

“Experimental Study of Inequality and Unpredictability in an Artificial Cultural Market”

“The Benefits of Social Influence in Optimized Cultural Markets”

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