4 ms·
Agree. David Bowie once demonstrated it to a reporter. They walked together through Manhattan. No one bothered them. Bowie then said he was going to “turn it on
by dunnevens 6y ago
Agree. David Bowie once demonstrated it to a reporter. They walked together through Manhattan. No one bothered them. Bowie then said he was going to “turn it on”. Something in his expression slightly changed. And then he was mobbed by fans.
- jw1224 6y agoWasn’t that story about Marilyn Monroe? https://psychcentral.com/blog/the-marilyn-monroe-effect-the-nonverbal-communication-of-confidence https://psychcentral.com/blog/the-marilyn-monroe-effect-the-...
- dunnevens 6y agoThe article I'm remembering was linked as part of an obit right after Bowie's death. I wish I could find it, but I'm apparently not coming up with the right phrase for Google. I wouldn't be surprised if this is a common trait of celebrities. Wear a mask, literally or figuratively, on stage or camera. Take the mask off and you're just an ordinary person that no one else will notice. Bowie talked about that mask here, and how he used it to face his fears: https://neil-gaiman.tumblr.com/post/166082106996/my-friend-told-me-a-story-he-hadnt-told-anyone https://neil-gaiman.tumblr.com/post/166082106996/my-friend-t...
- SuoDuanDao 6y agoWhat a beautiful story. Bowie's invisible mask reminds me of the 'glamour' that fey creatures were imagined to have in the old stories. Puts the term 'glam rock' into new perspective for sure...
- joshstrange 6y agoIs this the article you remember? https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/17/fashion/david-bowie-invisible-new-yorker.html https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/17/fashion/david-bowie-invis...
- dunnevens 6y agoThanks! I think that is the one.
- edent 6y agoI've heard that story about Marilyn Monroe - but it has probably been ascribed to hundreds of celebs. https://www.sunnyskyz.com/blog/2610/No-One-Recognized-Marilyn-Monroe-In-NYC-Then-She-Says-Want-To-See-Me-Become-Her- https://www.sunnyskyz.com/blog/2610/No-One-Recognized-Marily...
- chokeartist 6y agoYeah but to be fair.... who wouldn't be stunned by her beauty? ;)
- justinator 6y agoHonestly this just sort of sounds like Manhattan. The east coast vibe is certainly more of a “get out of my way” mentality.
- dunnevens 6y agoYou're probably right. If I'm remembering the article correctly, he would just put a bland hard face on. Wear boring & ordinary clothing. No one would pay him any attention.
- greggturkington 6y agoin NYC or LA it's relatively common to see famous people but poor etiquette to approach them (but do please get out of the way)
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- sjwright 6y agoI’m sure when Bowie acted like the famous person, it subconsciously cued other people to treat him like a famous person. Act like a private person and most people will treat you like one. I’m not saying that this is a universal constant, or even the dominant explanation for what Bowie demonstrated, but there’s definitely something to it. My local neighbourhood has its fair share of nationally known famous faces. I’ve never once seen any of them treated like a celebrity because they don’t act like one.