It takes someone with a very special talent for their work
to live on centuries after their death. There are many obvious names that would
fit into this category; Plato, Shakespeare, Dickens, but I’m referring to two names
that are trending on the Internet today.
One name is, of course, David Bowie. He may well become more
famous, respected and revered after his death than he was during his life. I
suspect that most people in the UK today are singing one of his songs in their
head. I know I am. (we know Major Tom's a junkie...) Many of us have been influenced by his creativity in fashion
and lifestyle. I need say no more about him. The newspapers are full of
accounts of his life and artistic contribution.
The other name is someone featured in today’s Google Doogle,
Charles Perrault, born 388 years ago today. His name might not be so well known
but his stories are very much a part of our country’s culture. He was an advisor
in the French court of King Louis XIV, later becoming an author. He wrote
Little Red Riding Hood making it much clearer than today’s version how the wolf
really represents all those men who prey on young girls walking alone in woods.
He wrote a version of Sleeping Beauty that was based on a 14th
century folk tale. Today’s version is a mixture of this, Grimm’s Briar Rose
which was written as an oral version of Perrault’s story, plus lashings of
saccharine from the Disney writing team. Perrault also wrote such tales as Puss
in Boots and Bluebeard although I’m not sure if these were adaptations of
earlier versions or created by him.
The point I’m trying to make: Wouldn’t it be amazing to think that you’d created something brilliant, made a positive contribution to the world, and as a result your name would go down in history. I suspect I’ve left it too late to try to achieve that for myself but, if any younger people are reading this, then why not give it a go! No, I haven’t got a clue how you’d begin. If I knew that I’d have….
Ros, I was talking to my daughter about this very thing the other day (before David Bowie died). She says this is something that drives her. She wants to make a contribution and leave something behind. It's not something I'd ever thought about, and as you say, it's probably to late for me too, but I hope she keeps trying!
ReplyDeleteI hope she keeps on trying too, Val. There surely can be few greater aims in life.
DeleteI'm not that fussed about my name living on once I've gone - but am hugely proud that a house will be built because of my efforts. That will do for me!
ReplyDeleteBut, Jo, your name WILL live on with that house that you've had built and those communities you've helped.
Deleteinteresting perspective in this post. It would be tough to predict making a long term impact on a huge amount of lives. Nonetheless, as an author, you've contributed to the world and in presentations to kids, etc you've made an impact. Don't sell yourself short - you have...
ReplyDeleteI suppose in a small way we all have, Joanne. But we probably won't have the kind of TV programmes devoted to us that Bowie is having right now. He will become a legend.
DeleteTrouble is, you might only get famous after you were dead, in which case you'd never know...unless you believed in reincarnation, of course.
ReplyDeleteEver the realist, Carol. You are so right. I wonder if David Bowie ever would have expected such an accolade though.
DeleteHi Ros - Bowie remained grounded apparently - he just upped the ante all the time and even at the end: interesting. I saw the Google Doodle reference - fascinating to find out about ... I suspect it's a little late for me - but I hope I've influenced some ... and Jo has done her bit - as have you with your records ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hilary. Yes there's the genealogical website and all the other things that we do in our busy lives. Very true.
DeleteWell maybe no one will remember our names but I'm sure we've influenced our children and they will use that to influence their children ..and so we live on. My voice might be living on as part of a display in a museum. If I am chosen people will press a button next to one of those distortion mirrors from a carnival or fun fair and my voice will tell of my memories.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good point about our kids, Anne. I love that you have your voice recorded for ever, and telling memories. You know how I love talking memories.
DeleteI hadn't really thought about it until a friend died just before Christmas. A few days afterwards I went to her blog and looked at her posts going back over the last few years. She was passionate about photography, and writing, and her words and picture will live on through her blog posts.
ReplyDeleteI find that comforting.
Yes, our blogs are a semi-permanent record of us, although I suspect technology will move on and leave them far behind after we've gone. There are also some pretty dodgy pieces of writing in my blog archives. Maybe I should go through and clean things out, rather like clearing out an old store cupboard at home.
DeleteOh but you are so wrong. If you were to die today, 100 years from now, if this so called cloud were still working, your blog posts would still come up. Google your own name, you'll be surprised.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings from Geoff in South Africa on the other side of the planet.
Thank you for that, Geoff and welcome to my blog. I see you live in Johannesburg. I have family there and one day, just one day, I may get up the courage to fly over and visit them.
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