de haut en bas
Scottie Bowman (bowman@mail.indigo.ie)
Thu, 22 Jan 1998 00:03:32 +0000
Condescension, condescension, condescension. It seems
to be the handiest epithet to throw at anyone who makes a joke
not immediately accessible to the slowest member of the class.
All men are created equal, huh ?
Yet this list is devoted to someone who - with varying degrees
of success - was concerned in his books to capture the idea
of excellence. Never accept phonies, he said. And never be
one yourself. The only thing that counts is doing your absolute,
uncompromising damnedest in whatever theatre you choose to
commit yourself.
But it seems to me that what we often get in place of this are
expressions of a fuzzy, vaguely mystical-sounding benevolence
that's intended, apparently, to enfold all of us in its clammy
embrace.
Anyone protesting he was `killing himself trying to do everything
for the Fat Lady' but still couldn't be bothered to get his hero's
name right struck me as funny. In the same way that had, earlier,
a world-wide appeal for guidance in modesty.
Because someone makes jokes, Brendan, it shouldn't be assumed
he isn't serious.
Scottie B.