Monday, October 29, 2018

Fame


Anyone who attempts to assess their position on the food chain of human existence is going to be caught up short. Of course there are big fish who survive by gobbling up minnows and that’s great if you inhabit a fish tank. The Marvelettes' 60's hit "Too Many Fish In the Sea"cited “short ones, tall ones, fine ones, kind ones… .” In a controlled environment it’s one thing, but when you go out into the big wide world there’s always going to be someone stronger and more talented who’s better equipped to survive. Of course, there are going to be exceptional fish like the White Whale who bore the brunt of Ahab’s obsession and fury. However, the average whale, being just one amongst many, will never become the basis for a famous quest in literature. Andy Warhol’s remark that “in the future everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes” seems more apropos than ever in this age of social networking and instant Twitter celebrity. Your candle is snuffed even before it's lighted. Fame was the title of an all but forgotten 80's film. “All the world’s a stage,” says Jaques in As You Like It. But what to make of one’s short appearance and ghastly oblivion? Yes there were Dickens and Tolstoy, Caligula and Leonard Bernstein, but even they will be trumped by time.

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