Sour japes

Wow. A little while ago, I posted a link to the finale of Chris Bliss's juggling act. It was a fun routine, choreographed to music, something I hadn't seen before, and I thought the end result was moderately impressive. Technically it may not have broke any new ground, but there was a manic energy to his performance which I enjoyed, the audience enjoyed, and everyone seemed to have some fun watching. Where's the harm?

But, as I've remarked before, it's a big internet out there, and it seems some people objected to Bliss's performance. Or more strangely, the fact that the audience actually enjoyed his performance. Boing boing posted a link to Jason Garfield's site in which he writes a lengthy discourse on why you should feel bad for enjoying Bliss's act, and I think he's missing the point. Garfield is a fantastic juggler, as clearly evidenced by the video he posted of himself performing a five ball routine choreographed to the same piece of music. I'm sure if you watch it, you'll agree with me that there's little doubt he's technically vastly superior to Bliss. Yet what's telling is the difference of expression on their faces as each goes through their respective acts. Garfield's face is a mask of utter concentration, whilst Bliss's often devolves into a look of slightly goofy bewilderment. In short, Bliss's act is as much comedy as juggling (only fitting since he bills himself as a comedian/juggler), something Garfield seems to have overlooked. Bliss succeeded in holding the attention of his audience with a feel good performance. To hold that there's anything unworthy in that is a nonsensical viewpoint

If you'll allow me a uk-centric viewpoint, it's rather like trying to compare to Les Dawson's piano playing with that of a concert pianist. (Dawson was famed for an act which included playing the piano spectacularly badly, to the merriment of his audience).

Still, I hold a lot of respect for Garfield's skills - he operates at a level I don't even dream of achieving. But, as is clear from the faq on his site, he takes his juggling very seriously indeed. There's nothing wrong with that in principal, but it's a waste of energy to try and force the rest of the world to adhere to the same standards as yourself. The world's big enough for both a Garfield and Bliss, after all, and possibly better for having them both.