Originally Posted by Hatcherjob
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Issues like this reflect far greater on us than it does on the artist. It certainly shows what political parties everyone votes for. I remember Tony Wilson used to tell Shaun Ryder he was a true poet and Ryder would dismiss this, as he had no education in poetry. In much the same way, I don't think Ronnie understands he is an artist and quite articulates the artistic statements he makes, simply because as a snooker player, he does not fit the profile. However, what he did yesterday was very akin to the artistic merits of KLF burning a million pound on an island and the 'Leeds 13' holiday-grant fiasco... he was holding a mirror at us. We in the west have a very unhealthy obsession with money, in the way an anorexic has for food. As far as I am aware, nobody in the history of professional snooker has made a 147 and donated the money to charity. If John Higgins made a 147 yesterday, where do you think it would have gone? Straight in to his bank account. And the same for Ronnie. So this idea that the money could have gone to charity is an entirely extraneous point of view. Incidentally, that 10k is still in existence, just in the sponsor's pocket, rather than a player's, can't they donate it?
So here, we have an all too rare sports personality, putting principle before money, but we don't applaud that. We live in a magazine culture where figureheads climb and fall an imaginary ranking ladder of popularity and we cue up to judge them and comment, and the rise and falls can be dramatic. Ronaldo earns preposterous amounts controlled in turn by his ego, and we hate him for it. He donates a weeks wage to a sick child and suddenly he's a superhero. This modest act creates with it an influx of parroting social media commentators to come forth with great adulation, usually reserved for dying soldiers. But when we certify them improper, we get sanctimonious phrases like - "He's gone down in my estimation".
When money is either destroyed or squandered, we feel distraught, We do so because it is like they are burning our dreams and desires "Imagine what I could do with that". Yet, what somebody chooses to do with their money, really has nothing to do with us. Our self importance over somebody else's business is sickening. Ronnie has given us an abundance of joy over the years, with his genius comes madness, as it always does. So the argument that fans paid money and should have been duly rewarded with the 147 is moot. As a music fan, this reminds me of some of the enigmas I have watched live over time. They can arrive late, or not turn up at all. The next week, they reveal their unbridled genius and you excuse them, this is what you invested your interest in. On the contrary, if you spend good money on Metallica, you will always get value for money, because they provide pyrotechnics. So you are responsible for which artist you would prefer to see. If you pay to watch Shaun Murphy, then expect ultimate professionalism and robotic personality, you won't be disappointed. If you pay to watch an unpredictable enigma, then expect unpredictable enigmatic things.
By the way, what a masterstroke by Hearn to change his viewpoint today. Initially, it was no surprise to hear his condemnation. I doubt a man motivated by money would understand the artistic merit of another man forfeiting cash to make a point, that is not a language he understands. However, I think he realised last night that he was losing the battle. He has tried to turn the tables today with backhanded compliments and instead put the focus on the headlines Ronnie has made for snooker, which is a canny move.
Ultimately, we forgive geniuses when the dust settles and we understand it was all in the name of entertainment. Alex Higgins has been forgiven of nearly everything he ever did. Geniuses are rightly excused in the end. It also shows us how spurious our personal offence to said incidents are.
So here, we have an all too rare sports personality, putting principle before money, but we don't applaud that. We live in a magazine culture where figureheads climb and fall an imaginary ranking ladder of popularity and we cue up to judge them and comment, and the rise and falls can be dramatic. Ronaldo earns preposterous amounts controlled in turn by his ego, and we hate him for it. He donates a weeks wage to a sick child and suddenly he's a superhero. This modest act creates with it an influx of parroting social media commentators to come forth with great adulation, usually reserved for dying soldiers. But when we certify them improper, we get sanctimonious phrases like - "He's gone down in my estimation".
When money is either destroyed or squandered, we feel distraught, We do so because it is like they are burning our dreams and desires "Imagine what I could do with that". Yet, what somebody chooses to do with their money, really has nothing to do with us. Our self importance over somebody else's business is sickening. Ronnie has given us an abundance of joy over the years, with his genius comes madness, as it always does. So the argument that fans paid money and should have been duly rewarded with the 147 is moot. As a music fan, this reminds me of some of the enigmas I have watched live over time. They can arrive late, or not turn up at all. The next week, they reveal their unbridled genius and you excuse them, this is what you invested your interest in. On the contrary, if you spend good money on Metallica, you will always get value for money, because they provide pyrotechnics. So you are responsible for which artist you would prefer to see. If you pay to watch Shaun Murphy, then expect ultimate professionalism and robotic personality, you won't be disappointed. If you pay to watch an unpredictable enigma, then expect unpredictable enigmatic things.
By the way, what a masterstroke by Hearn to change his viewpoint today. Initially, it was no surprise to hear his condemnation. I doubt a man motivated by money would understand the artistic merit of another man forfeiting cash to make a point, that is not a language he understands. However, I think he realised last night that he was losing the battle. He has tried to turn the tables today with backhanded compliments and instead put the focus on the headlines Ronnie has made for snooker, which is a canny move.
Ultimately, we forgive geniuses when the dust settles and we understand it was all in the name of entertainment. Alex Higgins has been forgiven of nearly everything he ever did. Geniuses are rightly excused in the end. It also shows us how spurious our personal offence to said incidents are.
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