winning awards

As you know, I am talking about the arts here, so please, no confusion over what I do and do not have in mind when talking about “profitability”. Benchmarks for success are manifold and can only be individually verified – but as far as definitions go, well, that job’s been done before hasn’t it? Money as credit certainly counts for one, popularity its social equivalent (though it is common knowledge how there exists a fair degree of interchangeability between the two), and what about happiness? Its pursuit is a guaranteed civil right as laid down in the U.S. Constitution, and it sure is desirable. And the best thing about it: it doesn’t take a jury to decide and bestow, but will arrive at your heart’s doorstep simply of its own accord (or not).
Now to the matter at hand, this post is about winning awards. There are millions of opportunities, some of them highly prestigious and relevant, others not so, you know the story. What makes me wonder is the complicity of those seemingly above such concerns, the fake aloofness of the cocksure future winner and their see-through disregard for excellence (any but their own, of course). It doesn’t matter much, possibly not even to the organizers of such stage for the vain man or woman in question. But it is annoying nonetheless. It seems like a travesty of distinction and to my understanding only reinforces the challenge, if only the self-serving aspect of competition. So, I’ve been told they know how to win awards. Fine. They also know they could win big if only they chose to set their mind to it. Excellent! I can’t help but think they really know quite a lot. And before you know it, I take my share of a lesson of all this inexpensive insight to sum it up as follows: Beware those who speak to you about their humble opinion - it’s the most pretentious line of all! Thanks for sharing.