[Messiahtosh]

I think every critic should read this...which means everyone should read this:

The
PENALTY OF
LEADERSHIP

In every field of human endeavor, he that is first must perpetually live
in the white light of publicity. Whether the leadership be vested
in a man or in a manufactured product, emulation and envy are ever at
work. In art, in literature, in music, in industry, the reward and the
punishment are always the same. The reward is widespread recog-
nition; the punishment, fierce denial and detraction. When a man's
work becomes a standard for the whole world, it also becomes a target
for the shafts of the envious few. If his work be merely mediocre, he
will be left severely alone - if he achieve a masterpiece, it will set a million
tongues a-wagging. Jealousy does not protrude its forked tongue at
the artist who produces a commonplace painting. Whatsoever you
write, or paint, or play, or sing, or build, no one will strive to surpass, or
to slander you, unless your work be stamped with the the seal of genius.

Long, long after a great work or a good work has been done, those who
are disappointed or envious continue to cry out that it can not be done.
Spiteful little voices in the domain of art were raised against our own
Whistler as a mountebank, long after the big world had acclaimed him
its greatest artistic genius. Multitudes flocked to Bayreuth to worship
at the musical shrine of Wagner, while the little group of those whom he
had dethroned and displaced argued angrily that he was no musician at
all.

The little world continued to protest that Fulton could never
build a steamboat, while the big world flocked to the river banks to see
his boat steam by.

The leader is assailed because he is a leader, and
the effort to equal him is merely added proof of that leadership. Failing
to equal or to excel, the follower seeks to depreciate and to destroy - but
only confirms once more the superiority of that which he strives to
supplant.

There is nothing new in this. It is as old as the world
and as old as the human passions -envy, fear, greed, ambition, and the
desire to surpass. And it all avails nothing. If the leader truly
leads, he remains - the leader.

Master-poet, master-painter, master-
workman, each in his turn is assailed, and each holds his laurels through
the ages. That which is good or great makes itself known, no matter
how loud the clamor of denial. That which deserves to live - lives.

[Brad]

Yeah, it's hard being me. Ain't got no respect.

[torifile]

Originally Posted by Brad Yeah, it's hard being me. Ain't got no respect.

Just STFU and get back to fixing that "Post quick reply" tooltip, would ya?

[FFL]

I'm sure that Steve Jobs appreciates your continued support, 'Tosh.

Or was this posted in honor of Roger Clyne?

[pscates2.0]

I'll be completely honest: I read that thing three times, and I think it was generated by one of those random buzzword doo-dads.

But instead of corporate-speak or whatever, it's like listening to a Dr. Phil groupie who's had too much to drink.



My head hurts.

[BenP]

I especially enjoyed this part:

Originally Posted by Messiahtosh In every field of human endeavor, he that is first must perpetually live in the white light of publicity. Whether the leadership be vested in a man or in a manufactured product, emulation and envy are ever at work. In art, in literature, in music, in industry, the reward and the punishment are always the same. The reward is widespread recog- nition; the punishment, fierce denial and detraction. When a man's work becomes a standard for the whole world, it also becomes a target for the shafts of the envious few. If his work be merely mediocre, he will be left severely alone - if he achieve a masterpiece, it will set a million tongues a-wagging. Jealousy does not protrude its forked tongue at the artist who produces a commonplace painting. Whatsoever you write, or paint, or play, or sing, or build, no one will strive to surpass, or to slander you, unless your work be stamped with the the seal of genius. Long, long after a great work or a good work has been done, those who are disappointed or envious continue to cry out that it can not be done. Spiteful little voices in the domain of art were raised against our own Whistler as a mountebank, long after the big world had acclaimed him its greatest artistic genius. Multitudes flocked to Bayreuth to worship at the musical shrine of Wagner, while the little group of those whom he had dethroned and displaced argued angrily that he was no musician at all. The little world continued to protest that Fulton could never build a steamboat, while the big world flocked to the river banks to see his boat steam by. The leader is assailed because he is a leader, and the effort to equal him is merely added proof of that leadership. Failing to equal or to excel, the follower seeks to depreciate and to destroy - but only confirms once more the superiority of that which he strives to supplant. There is nothing new in this. It is as old as the world and as old as the human passions -envy, fear, greed, ambition, and the desire to surpass. And it all avails nothing. If the leader truly leads, he remains - the leader. Master-poet, master-painter, master- workman, each in his turn is assailed, and each holds his laurels through the ages. That which is good or great makes itself known, no matter how loud the clamor of denial. That which deserves to live - lives.

[torifile]

Originally Posted by pscates2.0 I'll be completely honest: I read that thing three times, and I think it was generated by one of those random buzzword doo-dads. But instead of corporate-speak or whatever, it's like listening to a Dr. Phil groupie who's had too much to drink. My head hurts.

You actually READ it??? Joke's on you!

[InactionMan]

Why in the world is this in General Discussion?

[SKMDC]

Originally Posted by FFL Or was this posted in honor of Roger Clyne?

Oh man, I'm bustin' up and then I started chokin....too funny.

[alcimedes]

Sean Penn feels the love, as does Green Day.

[ast3r3x]

Did you write this 'tosh? Really could be one of those random generator things. I'm impressed.

[SKMDC]

It was written by an advertising guy Tony Radoszewski.

He also did "Don't squeeze the Charmin."

[Messiahtosh]

Originally Posted by ast3r3x Did you write this 'tosh? Really could be one of those random generator things. I'm impressed.

Nope, as it was stated, an advertising man from the early 1900's wrote it for a Cadillac ad...lol...

Anyway, I think it's just a really great piece about what genius and leadership is.

[ast3r3x]

I obviously only read so far

[murbot]

I read it as:

"The
PENALTY OF
LEADERSHIP

In every field of human endeavor, listening to Roger Clyne on my iPod while watching Green Day videos, I want to fellate Steve Jobs and buy some nice red pants."

[SKMDC]

Originally Posted by murbot I read it as: "The PENALTY OF LEADERSHIP In every field of human endeavor, listening to Roger Clyne on my iPod while watching Green Day videos, I want to fellate Steve Jobs and buy some nice red pants."

You forgot hiking with the fellas.

[DMBand0026]

Originally Posted by murbot I read it as: "The PENALTY OF LEADERSHIP In every field of human endeavor, listening to Roger Clyne on my iPod while watching Green Day videos, I want to fellate Steve Jobs and buy some nice red pants."

This is honestly one of the funniest things I've ever read.