Young student today expressed his confusion to the class about whether he should change his image in order to be successful. I thought to myself that has nothing to do with whether or not you are successful, and yet these young people all seriously seemed sympathetic to his disposition. Real delusionalism dilemma. I thought about the time a woman I knew, who at that time had a small record deal, commented upon her lack of funds “dammit I’m just going to write some hits!” As though it always was an option for all of us to simply accept becoming wealthy if we wrote a hit song, like as if we intentionally avoided success. You’ve heard of Tamara and her hits, right? I told the student I think a better plan is focussing on the content of his writing, of his artform, of his songs and the rest will take care of itself. I wonder if he walked away thinking I don’t understand how he feels.