Level 4: The Timid Supporters
When asked about their favorite artist, the Timid Supporters will answer: “You know who I’ve been binge-listening to lately? Finneas, you know, Billie Eilish’s brother (that’s the least mainstream the Timid Supporters can come up with). I once learned to play one of his songs on the guitar because he was kind enough to post a tutorial on YouTube. Imagine if more musicians did this to get us to practice our instruments and keep us excited about the magic of creating music and art, not just consuming it?
Anyway, I regularly go back to artists who have shaped music past and present with great storytelling, Billy Joel, Carole King. I mean, I listen to a lot of, you would say, older music, basic stuff. I wouldn’t say my taste is very experimental. I love everything from Motown, Stevie Wonder. I actually went to a Stevie Wonder concert in 2011. It was an absolute treat. He brought out his daughter that night and had the audience sing his version of Happy Birthday to her. I never really had any affection for that song. It made me cringe every time it was played at someone’s birthday. But singing it together with 10,000 people for his daughter was a really special moment. I think it’s because of him that I’m also a big fan of Alicia Keys. Or is it the other way around? Who else? Michael Jackson, I guess…”
Timid Supporters are masters of tact. Every conversation they enter initiates a cognitive dance between camouflaging their imposter syndrome, a vague notion of shame, and making some actual sense. In any human interaction they are confronted with, they will carefully study changes in body language, facial expressions, and eye contact of their vis-à-vis and adjust their messages accordingly. Any noticeable flinch in their counterpart’s face will cause them to quickly reassess their line of argument and change course if necessary.
They are champions at disguising their true thoughts, opinions, and — consequently — emotions. Their main goal as a functioning part of civilization is to not cause a stir, which they accomplish by doing and saying anything to appease their contemporaries. Level 2 fans may be people-pleasers. But Level 4 fans are proper pushovers.
Timid Supporters are travelers, they never stand still. They are constantly commuting between Level 4 and Level 5, the Advocates for Legacy. When, in 2002, Michael Jackson visited Berlin, I became eerily giddy at the thought of sharing, for a glimpse in time, the same grounds within a four-kilometer radius with the King. I even considered – against my natural instincts — leaving the house. Perhaps there was a way to see him in person? Undeniable Level 5 reasoning, and almost acting. In the end, I was glad I didn’t because the next day, a baby dangling from the balcony of the Adlon Hotel was the top story. And I went straight back to my home base, a solid Level 4, where I belonged.
Despite the fact that at some point they took the red pill to cross the threshold from Level 3 to 4, from curiosity to commitment, the Timid Supporters insist on the annoying principles of societal norms. Decades of exposure to rumors true or untrue of Michael pushing the boundaries not only of the music industry, but also of said norms, have shattered their confidence. Michael once said: “I embarrass easily.” Well, so do the Timid Supporters. When they picture their relationship to him and his music, they see a sensational star on one side and skeptical smoke signals on the other, seesawing in the sunset. Immediately, an impulse of guilt kicks in because of their poor use of unnecessary alliterations that might annoy the reader. The last thing they’d need in today’s troubled times.
To compensate for this looming sense of remorse for choosing the pleasure over the doubts, they vow to always sing Heal the World only ironically.