Re: [CR]Confente or Why Should I Care!? I do!!!

(Example: Racing:Jean Robic)

From: <Wolfman231@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2002 20:52:03 EDT
Subject: Re: [CR]Confente or Why Should I Care!? I do!!!
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


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