Superman 51
Superman 51 was a picture of a man who tethered 51 pieces of wood behind him as he
walked on forward till he collapsed with tiredness. Though this can be viewed in a way as human
suffering, it can also be viewed as the struggles to move forward despite what life has attached to
you. And the image itself is art, as it shows the power of human effort, and perseverance. A trait
that should be highly valued on the same level as your ability. No matter how good you are, you
must put in the corresponding effort, or you will be outmatched by those below you in ability. I
never believed the 99% effort and 1% talent or 90% effort and 10% talent, talent is more of an
augment to your effort. You put in 1 hour of effort could be worth 3 of someone else’s if you
have the talent. However in the end, if you don’t put in any effort, you won’t accomplish
anything. Though “For Colo, the number fifty one also represents the decision-making power of
a simple majority under democratic political systems.”
(https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/3671) I would rather consider this less of a political
statement, than endurance. Have you seen someone who truly enjoys what they are doing? It is
hard to not be impressed when someone puts their all into something, even if they don’t
accomplish anything in the end, it still is better than not trying at all. I don’t remember who said
this quote, but you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take right? No matter how low the odds of
accomplishing anything is, there is no reason not to give it a go. After all, most things you only
have one chance to make it right, you should make the decision that you would least regret. And
not doing something is one of people’s biggest regrets. The ability to do something, yet didn’t
perhaps is up with the cardinal sins in terms of… well badness? If you had the ability to save
someone, but didn’t, you might regret that decision for your whole life.