Yes. But, it's also an act of punkish arrogance, with zero awareness of the potential consequences. I come from an early generation of revolutionary truth tellers. As a glam rocker in the early 70s, on a personal crusade to obliterate gender stereotypes, I burned bridges with the confidence that, because I was young, pretty, and talented, there would always be a next opportunity. Because of my native assets, everything had come easily, so why would that ever change?

Sinead was as steadfast as Woody Guthrie in her convictions. She was at the height of her fame when she chose to burn it all to the ground. Certainly, she was one of the most principled artists ever. Either she didn't realize that her stardom couldn't protect her or her career self-destruction was a purposeful work of art in and of itself, a stiff middle finger at the myth of fame and fortune.

Sinead was way ahead of her time. Every defiant female singer/songwriter to follow owes a debt to her self sacrifice. One of the most amazing voices I've ever heard. And, she used that incredible vocal instrument to speak her own truth from her heart of hearts.