I’m a mediocre guitar player. I’ve also said 12 lines in a one-act play. Neither of these activities gave me insight into the geopolitical consequences of China’s economic growth. Even if I could play the guitar like Jimmy Page, how can playing music make me informed about Brexit or the internal politics of Burkina Faso? In fact, my acting and musical career, such as it is, has not helped me find Burkina Faso on a map.