Sawyer Paul's Blog, page 172
October 28, 2011
Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother. It's on TCM on...
Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother. It's on TCM on Thursday!
Wrestling, writing, and the selected audience
This isn't about 'wrestling', but instead about wrestling, the broader idea, the general purpose of the act. The dictionary definition of wrestling is to engage in struggle, either physically or mentally.1 We talk about the theatrics because they're more fun, but the very basic thread requires occasional reflection. The basis of all struggle is a wrestling match. Because we are primitive, we have to wrestle, with our tools, our ideas, and with one another. We, as people, aren't smart or civilized enough to do without it.
Wrestling is the best metaphor we've got. Two (or more) foes, trying desperately to win, utilizing legal and illegal holds, trying to attain trophies defined less by committee than avarice, holding loose to half-baked personal ideals. We are always trying to win, but what? We are always shooting for the brass ring, but what is it, and what is it good for? What is the point of making more money if being rich means you're a bad guy? What is the point of being showered with accolades if the underdog is the only one the fans want to cheer?
We quickly find to the most well-tread metaphor of them all: that the journey is what matters. That's visible in wrestling. We care about the quality of the contest as much (oftentimes more) than the result. Only in wrestling can a fan care equally about both. The theatre-goer revels in the quality of performance, but cares little about who lives and dies2. The sports fan wants to see a good contest, sure, but a good contest in sport is one where everything is fair, the fight is close, and everyone is trying their hardest. This never changes. Even to a dedicated Yankee's fan, a game where they trounce their opposing team without breaking a sweat is not considered a good game. But because that sort of fair contest is actually rare, the focus falls to statistics.
Only in wrestling can the use of illegal international objects add to the quality of the contest. Only in wrestling can cheating, lying, and stealing be a form of heroism. Only in wrestling does evil so consistently reign over good. Only in wrestling do you see tropes, stereotypes, cliche's at play, reminding you that art can be shitty but still remain fun. Wrestling is base, no question, but because it is base it has lots to tell all of us.
I generally don't post wrestling-related material over here (Aggressive Art side-project notwithstanding), but I'm really proud of this piece, and it only kinda has to do with wrestling, so the non fans still have lots to enjoy. It's mostly about finding inspiration by being more selective who you want to delight.
October 27, 2011
"Well, we've got to finish it," Steve Capps said. And so they did. Once again, Jobs's reality..."
- From "Steve Jobs" - by Walter Isaacson
Kiss Me - Tom Waits
Kiss me, like a stranger, once again
I want...
Kiss Me - Tom Waits
Kiss me, like a stranger, once again
I want to believe that our love is a mystery
I want to believe that our love's a sin
I want you to kiss me like a stranger, once again.
October 26, 2011
The trailer for That Is All by John Hodgman, featuring his...
The trailer for That Is All by John Hodgman, featuring his ferrel mountain-man friend Jonathan Coulton.
The trailer for That Is All by John Hodgman, featuring his feral...
The trailer for That Is All by John Hodgman, featuring his feral mountain-man friend Jonathan Coulton.
Not bad for a bum. This was the kind of nerdy fun that usually...
Not bad for a bum. This was the kind of nerdy fun that usually ends up with a jock stealing my lunch money.
