Well It’s been a quiet weekend overall. But there was some interesting news about Mr. Harry Houdini that recently appeared. A new book, The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero, makes an interesting claim. That Houdini was not only a great escape artist, but also was a spy for England and the United States. Now that is an interesting thought. Considering all things I can surmise that it is quite possible that he was in fact a spy to some degree. It makes sense as he was allowed place and met people few others could at that time in the world.
It also makes me think of the movies that are out recently, displaying period magicians that seem to be reflections of the mythos of Houdini. As much as I enjoy Mr. David Blaine, Penn & Teller and other current magicians none capture my attention as much as Houdini. There is just something about him that is inspirational. Overcoming odds that seem insurmountable.
And it’s interesting how so few entertainers today can reach the levels that those of the past have touched. While Mr. Michael Jordan and Mr. Tiger Woods are world-renown they do not touch the impact of Mr. Muhammad Ali, Houdini, Babe Ruth, and a few others. One would think that celebrities like Jay-Z, 50 cent (I still think the name is dumb) and other ‘superstars’ would be more famous or at least one or two would be at a similar level as those of the past.
With the internet making stars more connected to people world-wide, in virtually no time, it would seem that fame would equate to levels of universal acceptance never before seen. Yet it hasn’t happened. Perhaps Mr. Jackie Chan, Mr. Woods and Mr. Jordan are the only ones that do apply to this ultimate category but I can’t think of anyone else that does. Of the recent truly world-wide celebrities I think Mr. Bruce Lee was the last. True fame seems only possible without the interconnectivity of the internet. When real interest creates the drive to know more about a celebrity. That is opposed to the media glut that is forced on us by the corporations profiting of the stars of today.
I mean how many of the stars of today are really talented? There is but a handful of the top A-list actors that can sing, play an instrument and/or have been successful on the stage. Few singers can actually compose music or play an instrument or even write their own songs. Far too many athletes today have little education and few outside career options. And so the names of true greats like Houdini continue to mesmerize the masses.
Perhaps the speed and near instant contact has been a bane as opposed to a boon. In propping up the most recent new thing, we have lost out on the best thing. Rather than getting the best entertainers we are coming to learn to accept just the most recent. Maybe that’s why so few stand out for more than a moment in the growing crowd of just better than average. And maybe that’s why the lowest common denominator seems to reach just a bit lower each year. Or so it seems to me.
This is what I think, what do you think?
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