Anderson Silva and a Dying Breed

 There was just more proof last night of what I've said before about the death of the artist. It was the long awaited match between Anderson Silva and Michael Bisping, on Bisping's home soil in the UK. I have been a longtime fan of Bisping, and Anderson, and I wanted Bisping to finally get the title shot that has eluded his illustrious career. The outcome was a sour victory for Bisping. And it cost a legend in Anderson Silva, what may have been his last shot at UFC gold in the middle weight division. The sad thing, is that you will talk yourself hoarse trying to explain what he did in that match, and how effective he was being. To this generation, what Anderson did, is senseless dribble, and nothing else. The crazy thing that occurred to me while watching the fight, was that you won't ever see that passion in any sport again, after this last generation. He was literally in the octagon painting like an artist. He was exploring different techniques and body movements like a child with an arsenal of tools he's mastered. He wasn't looking for a KO, yet you could see he was well aware of each one that he allowed to pass him by, as he continued to explore. It was amazing to see such boundless potential. He showed that he hasn't lost a step.

  I like Bisping alot, but I'm honest when I watch a contest. He clearly didn't have the tools necessary to even hold a conversation on the canvas with Anderson. Anderson showcased defensive techniques just to entertain.  To elaborate a bit, before people misread my comments, I can understand in lay terms how a judge would give a slight nod to Bisping. He was utilizing forward pressure and volume of strikes, while employing decent defense for the majority of rounds. His pressure can easily be mistaken at times as ring generalship. However, on principle, you have to admit that he clearly looked outclassed skill wise. Anderson could have pulled the trigger at any time, and you knew Bisping didn't have an answer if he did. It's hard to see someone like that as the winner sometimes. As a judge, I could not bring myself to giving the nod to the mangled Bisping at the end of that fight. Anderson was expressive in everything he did. Even when on the back foot, he was clearly in control.

 Today, that type of thinking is archaic and just about dead. It's frowned upon. The very few who have the ability to paint like that, like Jon Jones and Connor McGregor, won't, due to lacking the drive for that. They want to win and to be accepted by their fans to a degree.  Anderson was out there like a child prodigy only wanting to enjoy himself. It was amazing.


 With that said, it's getting harder to respect records and  the hall-of-fame induction processes as a whole. I told a few people that the concept of "elite" has been completely lost and warped. For instance, everyone has heard of the acclaimed New York Presbyterian Hospital. They hire, according to them, only the elite of healthcare practitioners, in order to upkeep their standard of elite care. Yet, I personally know of a few employees of theirs- some who I've taught on different occasions, who are not fully competent, yet have been offered several positions from the hospital. I myself, have been turned down at least twice by the hospital, when I have the credentials and experience that put me at the top of my field. In the end, if someone is lying on their resume as I know some are, as an elite institute, it's your duty to iron that out, and maintain your standard of care. If that gets past you, while you pass up on solid talent, that's a stain on YOUR institution. But people don't think like that anymore. The loudest mouth is the greatest.

 That's why you'll see more and more greats snubbed for HOF inductions like Terrell Owens, and more generic athletes produced and hailed. Majority wins. Not to get back to talking about myself, but just to make a point- I see this behavior first hand. I released a lot of work over the years. But specifically, I put a lot of thought into the "Coming of Age" series. It was an art gallery exhibit at first, then a movement of sorts that I was chronicling. It then became an art project that resulted in 3 albums and 2 novels, which I believe are very enlightening. When my coworker saw me proofing a copy, he called me arrogant for reading my own work. But I'm going to touch on something for the first time here. He's masking the fear most people have. It's not about me being self centered. If I see a work that is well done, whether it's mine or anyone else's I take it in and advocate it as well. What the problem is, is that people are locked into the designated respect they have to have for each individual person, and if they don't see anything worthwhile coming from you in their own preconceptions, they are blind to seeing any in real life. It only bothered him to see me doing that, because he can't see anyone, or himself doing it. But rather than call your own fears for what they are, you people will always make it a case of something the artist is doing.

  But when I see displays like those of Anderson, or even Floyd Mayweather, go completely over the heads of viewers, including those involved in the boxing world, it answers so many questions, and it all makes perfect sense.