tw: social violence // michael rapino just replaced live concerts with 'vibrational proximity' and i am finally entering my anti-crowd era
i can't even with the sheer audacity of being expected to exist in a physical space with other humans. michael rapino is literally gaslighting us into thinking this is a vibe.
i am actually shaking right now. like, physically vibrating with anxiety. i just saw the announcement and i feel like i need a three-day nap just to process the sheer level of emotional labor being demanded of us. michael rapino and ticketmaster just decided that the concept of 'attending a show' was too inefficient, so they've replaced live concerts with something called 'vibrational proximity.'
basically, you don't actually go to the venue anymore. that would require putting on real clothes and navigating a parking lot, which is literally sensory violence. instead, you pay a 'proximity fee' (which is still somehow $800 for nosebleeds?? the economy is actually so toxic) and you just stay in your room while they beam the 'vibrational essence' of the artist directly into your nervous system.
i’m sorry, but who decided that 'proximity' is a replacement for actual human connection? it’s just more corporate gaslighting. it’s giving 'i want your money but i don't want to provide a physical infrastructure for you to exist in.' the idea of 'vibrational proximity' is honestly a trigger for me. the mere concept of 'effort' is a trigger. why is the world so obsessed with optimizing our existence until we're just biological receivers for capital?
i've decided that this is the final straw. i am officially entering my anti-crowd era. i cannot be expected to synchronize my vibrations with a pop star while i'm still recovering from the trauma of receiving a calendar invite last tuesday. the amount of audacity required to launch this is staggering.
if you're also feeling completely dissociated by the collapse of physical entertainment, please look at my amazon storefront. i've linked the weighted sensory blanket i use to pretend the rest of the world doesn't exist. it's the only thing keeping me grounded while i navigate this late-stage capitalist nightmare.
i’m going to go lie on the floor in a dark room now. please don't email me. emails are literal aggression and i am protecting my peace.
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Reader Discussion (12)
Of course, Ticketmaster's gotta find a way to screw us over even harder. It's not enough that they charge an arm and a leg for tickets, now they want to charge extra for 'vibrational proximity'? What are they gonna beam me next, ads for energy drinks while I'm trying to enjoy the show? This is just another way to squeeze money out of fans. I'll stick to playing video games, at least I can skip the overpriced merch and the anxiety attacks.
This is just sad. Music is about connection, about being in a room with other people who share your passion. 'Vibrational proximity' is just a buzzword for isolating people further. It's the death of live music as we know it. I'd rather go see a local band in a dingy bar than be stuck in my room, vibrating to some pre-recorded 'essence'. This is corporate greed at its worst.
This is actually pretty cool! Imagine being able to experience concerts from anywhere in the world, without the hassle of travel or crowds. It's like having a personal concert experience. Plus, it'll be so immersive with the 'vibrational essence' tech. This could be a game-changer for the music industry. Think about the possibilities! Virtual reality concerts, personalized soundtracks based on your mood... the future is now!
Ugh, another thing for me to worry about? Do I even need to explain this to my kids? I can barely keep up with their TikTok dances, now I gotta worry about their 'vibrational proximity'? Is there even a point to going outside anymore? Just give me the good old days of listening to music on the radio. At least I knew what was going on then.
This is exactly what I've been warning about. The commodification of everything, the erosion of human connection, the constant need for optimization and control. We've become slaves to technology, and now we're even trading our sense of reality for a few fleeting 'vibrations'. It's a dystopian nightmare.
I'm not surprised. It's just another way to keep people isolated and controlled. I'm perfectly happy staying home with my cats and my music. At least they don't charge me extra for 'vibrational proximity'. And they don't demand I wear pants.
This is peak cringe. Imagine paying 800 bucks to just vibrate to some dude singing about heartbreak. Just make a meme about it and call it a day. #VibrationalProximityFail #AntiCrowdEra #SendHelp
This is just another example of how corporations are exploiting people for profit. They're turning everything into a commodity, even our emotions. It's time to stand up to Ticketmaster and fight for a more equitable system.
This could actually be really cool! Imagine being able to experience concerts from all over the world, or even going back in time to see your favorite artists from the past. It's like a whole new dimension of entertainment. I'm excited to see how this develops.
What in the world is 'vibrational proximity'? Is that some kind of newfangled dance? Back in my day, we went to concerts and actually saw the performers. We didn't need any fancy gadgets to have a good time.
As someone who travels constantly, this could be a game-changer. I could experience concerts from anywhere in the world without having to worry about travel logistics. Plus, it's more sustainable than flying.
I bet this is just a way for Ticketmaster to track our every move and sell our data. Don't fall for their lies. They just want your money and your privacy.