Politicians, ugly buildings, whores all become respectable if they last long enough. The above quote from Chinatown (1974) holds good for the professions and objects mentioned therein, but not necessarily for super-achievers - probably because no one expects any stellar achievements from either of the three. Super-achievers lasting long enough however don’t, almost always, ensure respectability. In fact the result is, more often than not, counterproductive.
Some are able to live with themselves below their peak while others don’t want to. I think we are projecting our disappointment of our erstwhile heroes onto them.
SRT, Lata and Amitabh have sizeable numbers of diehards who didn’t care that they were dishing out mediocrity after their peak. Others like you probably didn’t want to see anything less than their best.
It’s only because they make it a habit of giving their best that we expect nothing less than that from them. They get us addicted with the best stuff. And when they stop then the trip sucks.
That was a long and interesting read. The topic was pretty different and looks like you must have done quite a good research to put all this together. Sometimes as humans we are not able to gauge how much is enough. Greed takes over!
True that, Chetan … and that’s the reason why a moral contractual obligation is needed - to not sully all that has been earned, not just in terms of money but achievements too.
Shantanu , irrespective of the fields they are geniuses in (the individuals) or the very successful shows and runs had by franchises in the entertainment field , what drives them are the commercial gains , the money they are able to make , that is the final and only motivator or driving force ; I don’t believe there is any achievement other than that ! Our superstars sell ‘lalmirch’ , ‘chyawanprash’ and what not !! Only money drives them and it is true for all ; celebrities , sportspersons , politicians , bureaucrats , businessmen - all ! I may have missed a few but they too chase the same thing in our times ….sadly !
Great article as always uncle! Fun read and very interesting differences between Becker and Arnold. I couldn't agree more with your take on Arnold having been a fan of his life myself. Not that I'm a hardcore fan (anymore) of the Marvel Universe but the recent Marvel films post Endgame (2019) have been going through a rough phase creatively like you mentioned which is hugely why the brand doesn't have the same fan following and popularity it used to have in its first 10 years. Some of their recent theatrical as well as OTT releases have lost an insane amount of money which has reduced the brand value proving your point.
Not fully sure of super achievers hanging up ... They need to become "super evolvers". An interesting example would be Akshay Kumar - from action to action comedy to comedy to nationalism to social purpose to historicals - he has been re-inventing himself in line with his age. Ravi Shastri is another one - Spin bowler to all-rounder to batsman to a no-nonsense commentator to a coach to ... Or consider Tom Hanks ... Life is cruel for those who persist without evolving - it is equally cruel for those who hang up ... The turning wheel of time grinds all resistors to dust ... especially the more prominent ones. So, don't resist, don't hang up... Keep evolving, reinventing ...
Some are able to live with themselves below their peak while others don’t want to. I think we are projecting our disappointment of our erstwhile heroes onto them.
SRT, Lata and Amitabh have sizeable numbers of diehards who didn’t care that they were dishing out mediocrity after their peak. Others like you probably didn’t want to see anything less than their best.
It’s only because they make it a habit of giving their best that we expect nothing less than that from them. They get us addicted with the best stuff. And when they stop then the trip sucks.
Good to hear from you after long!
I’m here lurking. 😂
That was a long and interesting read. The topic was pretty different and looks like you must have done quite a good research to put all this together. Sometimes as humans we are not able to gauge how much is enough. Greed takes over!
True that, Chetan … and that’s the reason why a moral contractual obligation is needed - to not sully all that has been earned, not just in terms of money but achievements too.
Shantanu , irrespective of the fields they are geniuses in (the individuals) or the very successful shows and runs had by franchises in the entertainment field , what drives them are the commercial gains , the money they are able to make , that is the final and only motivator or driving force ; I don’t believe there is any achievement other than that ! Our superstars sell ‘lalmirch’ , ‘chyawanprash’ and what not !! Only money drives them and it is true for all ; celebrities , sportspersons , politicians , bureaucrats , businessmen - all ! I may have missed a few but they too chase the same thing in our times ….sadly !
Agree. It’s such a sad commentary on the state of affairs that those who don’t succumb to the lure are seen and treated as outcasts.
Great article as always uncle! Fun read and very interesting differences between Becker and Arnold. I couldn't agree more with your take on Arnold having been a fan of his life myself. Not that I'm a hardcore fan (anymore) of the Marvel Universe but the recent Marvel films post Endgame (2019) have been going through a rough phase creatively like you mentioned which is hugely why the brand doesn't have the same fan following and popularity it used to have in its first 10 years. Some of their recent theatrical as well as OTT releases have lost an insane amount of money which has reduced the brand value proving your point.
Thanks for the affirmation on my gut feel of how the superhero franchise is performing lately, Advait.
And if you haven’t watched the Arnold docu, you must.
Not fully sure of super achievers hanging up ... They need to become "super evolvers". An interesting example would be Akshay Kumar - from action to action comedy to comedy to nationalism to social purpose to historicals - he has been re-inventing himself in line with his age. Ravi Shastri is another one - Spin bowler to all-rounder to batsman to a no-nonsense commentator to a coach to ... Or consider Tom Hanks ... Life is cruel for those who persist without evolving - it is equally cruel for those who hang up ... The turning wheel of time grinds all resistors to dust ... especially the more prominent ones. So, don't resist, don't hang up... Keep evolving, reinventing ...
That’s an excellent angle, Ashutosh! Damn! Wish I had touched upon it as a moral obligation they can set for themselves to evolve as they go along.