Tansy Gardam

Speculation has become enticing entertainment in the attention economy. From the dark corners of QAnon to Taylor Swift’s Easter eggs, even the most innocuous theories have the potential to radicalise.

Musicians were once criticised for ‘selling out’ if they leveraged their fame to sell products. But as the influencer economy changes attitudes towards authenticity, artists are increasingly turning to paid partnerships to make a profit in a fragmented market.