THE DELUSION SERIES: EPISODE 1
Before Whitney Houston passed away last weekend, people spoke of her voice not being what it once was. I read articles and blogs recounting unsatisfied audiences, rudely storming out of venues and asking for refunds. Thanks to the wonder of high-speed internet, I caught glimpses of Whitney on her road to icon status and while she sounded different than I remember her on tracks like “I Get So Emotional,” I thought that she probably shouldn’t have been thrown back on stage so soon. Wasn’t she surrounded by executives and publicists? Isn’t it their job to protect their client and do what’s best for her? I couldn’t help thinking that if she didn’t sound great on stage, it’s because her team deluded themselves or purposely gambled on Whitney’s reputation. Could they have subjected her to ridicule when she may have needed a little voice rehabilitation and some graduated repetitions to strengthen her voice to performance level. Money motivation always moves things along more quickly. Someone needed only to think that getting Whitney’s name back in front of the public would be lucrative and voila, caution and consideration was thrown to the wind.
Delusion is when you or your crew thinks you’re ready when you’re not. It’s when you think you’re better than you are and when you believe the strange inflated image you see in the mirror accurate. Delusion can be engineered both by our own thinking and by others. Here’s some questions to connect you to this post:
Have you ever…
- …bought a size smaller than you really wear knowing it won’t fit?
- …used your car to send a message about what kind of person you are?
- …(men) bought a bigger shoe size than you really wear?
- …told people about dating conquests that never happened or grossly inflated them?
- …played the victim when you were really the assailant?
- …made fun of overweight people when you yourself are either unhealthy and thin or overweight yourself?
- …attempted something because you’ve always wanted to do it but knowing you don’t possess the talent or skills?
Yo, if you don’t see delusion in this list, you’re deluded right now. Delusion is synonymous with deception or false pride. It’s a cruel weaponry and the very antithesis of truth. That’s why I’ve hated American Idol from the start. I hate seeing people embarrassed because they’ve managed to evade or ignore the truth that singing is not a strength. And every time I discuss this pet peeve of mine, people say, “Those foolish mortals probably ignored the friends telling them not to try it.” Maybe. All I know is that it’s the basic acceptance of truth that shapes and saves life. I was hit by a car in the crosswalk twice in 1990, burned my hand on the iron twice in the early 1980s and stapled my finger once. I’m a believer in walking bikes across the street now, recognizing when the iron is plugged in and respecting the ferocity of the Swingline.
“I have done that,” says my memory. “I cannot have done that” — says my pride, and remains adamant. At last — memory yields.”
– Friedrich Nietzsche
Posted: by Norman Anthony
Category: Bigger than Me, Character
I agree that in America people delude themselves all the time, and often think of their capacity to do so as a virtue. We tell people that they can do anything that they put their mind to, that any dream is within their grasp. The truth is, to be successful you need to balance your enthusiasm towards achieving a dream with a hard look at reality concerning what it takes to reach that dream (or if reaching the dream is even possible). It’s not good enough to desire something without anchoring yourself to a plan, floating mindlessly along until fate grants you that you desire. Simply put, there is too much dreaming (and delusion) and not enough reality. When dreams don’t come true, particularly for young people, it creates a real sense of resentment and anger. I think we need to change this culture and start putting more emphasis on reality and hard work, which is where the real virtue lies…
Agreed Amber. Much has been lost in that regard to dealing in the real. The surreal is certainly loads of nebulous fun but life is lived in real time. Thanks for your thoughtful reflections as usual.