Could Hayley Change the World Someday?

[glenn]

I truly believe the record-buying public and the world in general will before long tire of what the popular media dishes up so regularly, the dark images, the conflict and anger, and the adversarial world that it bespeaks, in much the same way, and for much the same reasons, the we grew tired of punk and all that it stood for. I can't say if this change in tastes will come sooner rather than later but I really believe that what Hayley has to offer, her exquisite gentle grace, fills a deep-seated need in all of us, and may be what brings her kind of artistry back into fashion, and the emergence of a less adversarial, finer, and gentler paradigm along with it. Such paradigm shifts, cultural shifts if you will, are rare, but I believe this world is primed for one now.

Does that mean we should wish some kind of super-stardom for Hayley? I should say no, not unless that's what she desires, and somehow I don't think that that's the case. I do think she would like to make a real difference in the world, and and as I recently told her, directly, music can change cultures, can change the world, and I do believe she has the drive, the capacity, and the heart, in the course of her career, to change the world.

[spiderman]

glenn... according to me, my family and at least half of ghana... she already has. she makes me and legions of people happy and makes their world a better place .

the spiderman

[martindn]

I agree with you both. Hayley really can make a difference. She has made a difference to me and to many others who have encountered her music. She has given me back my faith in humanity and young people in particular for one thing. I would not have believed a person like Hayley could exist in this world, and in a business like music, and that she is for real and not just a marketing image, but I was delighted to find out that she really is what she seems.

I believe that her stunning talent was given to her for a reason, and she is on a mission, whether she knows it or not. Part of it is to give hope to those of us who long for the kind of world that she represents, one that is held together by love and kindness, hope and optimism not one that is driven by money and selfishness and greed and devil take the hindmost. But more, it is to show those who will listen that there is a better way.

Of course, I want to do whatever I can to help her, simply because what she represents is so important. For one so young to understand that lesson so well is amazing. It took me a lifetime to learn it. It is much more than just entertainment.

That is quite apart from the fact that I absolutely love her music.

Martin D

[larryhauck]

Hayley is a wonderful person. She is an inspiration to all people that hear her sing. She has the purest voice I have ever heard in my 70 plus years. The way she conducts herself is exemplary and her character is impeccable. She's aces in all aspects.
But changing the world is a tall order.
Larry

[stevemacdonald]

Maybe I'm idealistic and naive, but I do believe Hayley could singlehandedly change the world someday. For starters she could visit with all the heads of state and mesmerize them with her wonderful songs. Then she could plant a message telling them to lay down their weapons and send their countries on a peaceful course forever. She could deliver the hope that anything is possible if we all pull together as one. She could even teach the world to sing in perfect harmony, provided Ian and Fiona and Raven gave some timely accompaniment. She could give each and every young singer the encouragement to move in the direction of their dreams. She could set up special holidays worldwide in honour of the great composers and rugby players. She could inspire millions, make that billions of individuals to take up busking and get discovered by talent scouts. She might even cause everyone everywhere to consume Green & Black's Organic Chocolate Bars which have something like 70% cacao, a proven anti-aging substance. She could also lecture aspiring vocalists about the dangers of Auto-Tune and acidic fruits like pineapple and caution them to get plenty of rest between gigs. Then she could step up her fashion side and create a whole new "look" that will take the world by storm. But at the end of the day I realise that it's all down to what Hayley wants to do, and if she feels like changing the world, then she most certainly will, whether we encourage her to or not.

[anshita]

Hayley has undoubtedly changed lives of her music listeners.
She's an inspiration and great role-model with the loveliest voice ever.
No doubt that she could, one day bring change into the world.

[Elliot Kane]

I agree with Larry on this one. Changing the world in any significant way is a heck of a thing to do. While it is true that every one of us changes the world in some small way just by being who and what we are, what some of you are talking about is a paradigm shift on a level with Mozart or The Beatles (Please note that is not a musical comparison, it is a world changing comparison), if not more.

There is no doubt in my mind that Hayley will continue to make the world a slightly better place by being herself and making her music, because that's what she does, but to create a seismic shift in the very fabric of society & civilisation itself, you need a lot more than that, I'm afraid.

The West is desperately in need of a new Renaissance. There's no doubt of that. But whether it will GET one is something else entirely...

[martindn]

Well, yes, any attempt to change the world as some of us would like to see is going to come up against a lot of resistance for sure. Those addicted to the status quo will fight tooth and nail to maintain it. Some might think that a world without violence, war and destruction would be boring. It is really down to human nature, and that doesn't change much.

However, there have been kinder times in my lifetime. Just to start the ball rolling in that direction would be good. A lot of it is fashion. I think the vast majority just go along with what is fasionable, in world views, philosoppy, music, whatever. Is seems for the last 40 years or so, being "tough" has been fasionable. That's just another word for being willing to hurt others as much as you can get away with to persue your own ends.

There are cases too, of how the world has been changed by individuals or small groups. Jesus, Mohammed etc in the philosphical world, small groups of technologists in others. Right now we are celebrating the victory of The Few, who changed the course of World War 2. And of course Winston Churchill, without whom things could have been very different. Huge changes can start from very small beginnings, even from individuals.

So I would never say it can't happen, although it seems unlikely. Too many vested interests. What it takes is for enough people to decide that want things to change.

Hayley clearly has a deep effect on some people, as I know from my own experience, and others here have agreed. For those people she CAN make the world a better place, and can make them better people, and I think for her it is all about reaching as many of them as possible. It won't be everyone, or even a majority, but perhaps there can be enough to make a difference.

Martin D

[Libby]

Sept 15, 2010 1:46:58 GMT stevemacdonald said:

Maybe I'm idealistic and naive, but I do believe Hayley could singlehandedly change the world someday. For starters she could visit with all the heads of state and mesmerize them with her wonderful songs. Then she could plant a message telling them to lay down their weapons and send their countries on a peaceful course forever. She could deliver the hope that anything is possible if we all pull together as one.

This is a lovely idea, but a little far-fetched. I'm sure these world leaders would think her voice is beautiful, and might be mesmerized, but there are some who are against women's freedom/equality, so some wouldn't be fazed at all. Especially the putting down weapons part. If all it took for the Taliban to put down their weapons was for someone to just tell them, I think someone would've tried it by now. So unless Hayley had some divine power, she wouldn't be able to accomplish much. It's enough for her to be risking her life in these Middle Eastern countries to sing for the troops, let alone confront the terrorists.

And doesn't Hayley have enough to do already without adding "changing the world" to her schedule?

[Elliot Kane]

Martin,

As Shakespeare put it so well: "There is a tide in the affairs of men. Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune." Alexander The Great rode that tide and used it to forge out the foundations of Western civilisation. Churchill, as you say, rode it to prevent the rise of a new age of darkness.

But oh, the perils of trying to ride that flood! So many have fallen, shattered, in the attempt. What they are trying to do, after all, is to redirect the sheer inertia of human history. To convince generations raised in one way that they should actually be following another path entirely.

Sure there are more peaceful methods. William Wilberforce and Charles Dickens both did it (Each in their own fashion) through peaceful activism.

As Western civilisation falls ever deeper into decline, we surely do need someone to sweep in a new Renaissance, but I think it would be rather unfair to lay that burden on poor Hayley! As Libby says, she has quite enough to do already!

[stevemacdonald]

Sept 15, 2010 21:24:25 GMT Libby said:

...
And doesn't Hayley have enough to do already without adding "changing the world" to her schedule?

Okay, laugh it that's funny to you, but remember: she's already met several of the most powerful people the world, not to mention the Dalai Lama and (now former) UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. She's also met the men who invented Google, the future King of England and goodness knows how many future leaders in the mix.

Hayley's influence could be behind the scenes and apart from the show. She will undoubtedly have further encounters with heads of state and massively connected, mega-powerful individuals in years to come. And also remember, the Hayley of today may not resemble the Hayley of two decades from now for many reasons. She may become an activist, a philanthropist, an important author, a socialite.... who knows? In the future, changing the world may be much easier than it is now if you're well-connected. Never underestimate the potential in any strong-willed person to make a mark in history. Hayley clearly has her own mind and will do all she can if and when the right situations arise. Going by her impressive track record of meeting the best and the brightest, I'm betting they will.