Anonymity does bring freedom, with the opposite also being true. There’s a story of Jussi Björling, one of the legendary opera singers of the 20th century, but also a tragic drinker. When he was in one town for a performance, a production assistant was assigned to try to keep him sober, at least until the concert. Sadly, the production assistant failed. In frustration he confronted the intoxicated tenor: “Why do you do this to yourself?”
“Come with me,” said the singer and led him across the street to the train station, where there was a giant banner stretched across the tracks: Jussi Björling, the world’s greatest tenor.
“That,” said Björling, pointing at the banner, “is why I drink.”
Beautifully said.
Anonymity does bring freedom, with the opposite also being true. There’s a story of Jussi Björling, one of the legendary opera singers of the 20th century, but also a tragic drinker. When he was in one town for a performance, a production assistant was assigned to try to keep him sober, at least until the concert. Sadly, the production assistant failed. In frustration he confronted the intoxicated tenor: “Why do you do this to yourself?”
“Come with me,” said the singer and led him across the street to the train station, where there was a giant banner stretched across the tracks: Jussi Björling, the world’s greatest tenor.
“That,” said Björling, pointing at the banner, “is why I drink.”