Episode Details
Back to EpisodesE20: Deep Dive - Mastermind
Description
None of it was accidental. This week we’re going deep into Midnights favorite “Mastermind.” After looking at this Taylor Swift song from the perspective of satire in our previous episode, we take another look to examine what Taylor is actually “mastermind”-ing. Is it a relationship? Or is it a nod to her many (many) easter eggs she leaves her fans? Maansi explores how Taylor weaves strategic language into the lyrics to reclaim the idea that she’s “calculating.” Jodi finds connections to The Odyssey, Oedipus Rex, and Greek mythology to bring this to an AP-level conversation. And Jenn shares more context about why “all the wisest women had to do it this way,” has deep roots in literature and history. Join us as we unpack this cryptic and potentially Machiavellian song!
Mentioned in this episode:
TIME Magazine December 7, 1981 “Crazy Over Cats”
TIME Magazine Person of the Year 2023
The Odyssey, Homer, Emily Wilson translation
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
Founding Mothers, Cokie Roberts
The Voices of Neims, Suzannah Lipscomb