In a message dated 6/27/02 6:45:22 PM Eastern Daylight Time, chuckschmidt@earthlink.net writes:
<< Sorry if my postings struck you as the height of snobbery and elitism, John. They were not meant that way. >>
Hey Chuck,
I don't post much; I tend to shy away from the contentious exchanges
that seem to occur. Maybe I can put an end to this one for the betterment of
the list. Snobs and elitists are rarely aware of their condescension, but
from reading your previous posts, I doubt you intended to offend John or any
others, although the "homework assignment" format may have been a poor
choice, instead of cute as you may have intended. (Here in Detroit, when we
play pickup basketball, we try to intimidate the other team by saying we are
"taking them to school," as if they are inferior, teachers versus students.)
Dale's analogy may have been unfortunate also. So many of us view
bikes from a 'form follows function' perspective (please excuse the cliche')
that the referral to da Vinci would seem obscure or elitist. Thanks to my
artist wife, I know that the Mona Lisa's lifelike, changing expression was
revolutionary over the wooden, statuesque portraits of the time. Perhaps I
can ask Dale what he thinks of Jackson Pollack's work? If he doesn't like it
or doesn't understand why it is so highly valued, do I use the ole Agumentum
Ignoratum on him? (I personally think his work looks like the spin art I did
at the fair when I was a kid...what do I know?) But would I imply Dale is
perhaps unlearned if he didn't see the value in the work? I personally can
relate to his other analogies. My father-in-law makes fun of the guys in his
gun club who spend tens of thousands of dollars for Krieghoff shotguns
(perhaps the equivalent of a Confente), but can't hit the side of a barn.
(excuse another cliche') We collect Arts and Crafts furniture for its
simple, clean lines and the philosophy its design embraced. It was
everyman's furniture in its day, affordable at the time, but try to buy a
Stickley piece now for a reasonable price.
Bikes for me are fun. I raced them, I repaired them when I worked in a
bike shop, I even collect a few. I ride often, heck, some people around here
even think I know something about them. I appreciate the Confente; I want
it. But don't belittle anyone who doesn't fathom why an old bike could be
worth $5K. Thats house payment or tuition money or whatever for a lot of
folk. Think of your reaction the next time you hear a Christy's or Sotheby's
price quoted in the paper. The value of the Confente has nothing to do with
reason. You can't argue it. The market will dictate the price...personally,
I hope Lou gets it. And I hope he thinks it a bargain.
Respectfully,
Ed Kasper
Detroit