I thought this was a random dream, but a friend mentioned current writer's strike.
5/12/2023
I was in a stranger's small front yard, at small gathering where several famous musicians were talking casually-- as creatives, not as stars. Smoky Robinson was talking about musicians he'd worked with, and others responded in agreement with their stories. Fond collaborations. Seemed nowhere else to go while in town. Pleasant mingling, reminiscing.
I kept looking at his older (2010-ish) face, trying to discern; at first I thought he was another [Marvin Gaye?? A talk show co-host?]. He talked about Michael Jackson and others, work with producers, creative collaborations with other musicians.
It was lunchtime, so I asked homeowner if she wanted help getting food. Running out or making.
If buying from restaurant, I wondered if I could afford what I offered, and realized it was a small-enough group... also it would be easy to make food cheaply.
I held a tupperware of cold boiled linguini, which led her to suggest we all go to the Italian restaurant she'd raved about earlier. The bbq area, back/side yard was dark and small, dense with trees and brush, felt like things might be mildewy.
But then her husband pulled his dark van into the driveway, they talked for a sec, and plans changed. I thought maybe celebs didn't feel comfortable eating in public. Some had dwindled, I didn't know where/when.
I walked indoors to help, and she'd already set up a table seating six, and three people were seated on one side, one already eating. There was more pasta but no sauce, and misc food.
I went outside, and told my son that we were eating inside, he could join us. He used to listen to all eras of music, and knew all the names. He climbed out of a vehicle (I didn't know he was in) passenger side. Didn't commit to whether he'd join us or not. I knew he'd be thrilled to meet musicians he'd followed since childhood, but wasn't sure if he knew he'd been among them. By then, most of the musicians were gone.
Dream ended, woke up. vague, unfinished feeling.
Dwindling/leaving seems to relate to how AI is discouraging creatives in various fields, from the joy they used to get creating.
AI promises to write and edit full compositions, novels, business plans, etc... but it uses past human creations and recombines.
People who aspired to innovate and influence, lose hope about their entire careers.
It's not just about losing work, but ambition. Personal uniqueness and voice.
The dream's host really wanted to support (like the public), and keep them there as long as possible, but most just gave up and disappeared.
It would be a good time to pray for everyone in creative fields, as careers are changing rapidly. Human input, innovation could soon be shifted to automation. It will not just impact salaries, but desire to create. The feeling of being appreciated for expressing giftings.
Smoky Robinson songlist since 1959. (Includes Marvin Gaye collabs.)