Wednesday, August 6, 2008

What Happens To A Dream Deferred?

I was talking with a friend last night about the old story that Hitler only turned to politics when he was denied admittance to art school. We wondered how the world might be different if only some art professor had been a little more enthusiastic about young Adolf's portfolio. After a little research, I discovered that many of the world's dictators and genocidal maniacs had a dream cruelly dashed before taking out their revenge on the world. A sampling:

Josef Stalin: Was a promising flautist before being demoted to second chair in the school orchestra and concluding that meritocracy sucked.

Pol Pot: Won championships at hundreds of quilting bees before his girlfriend left him over his obsession; soon decided that the arts were indulgent and vain.

Idi Amin: Enjoyed floral arrangement until he was drafted and subsequently ridiculed by his Army buddies; vowed revenge on everyone.

Benito Mussolini: Was an exceptionally emotive dancer until his career derailed when a late train caused him to miss an audition for the Bolshoi Ballet. A distraught Mussolini pledged to improve the efficiency of public services at any cost.

Kim Jong-Il: Harbored dreams of a career in the NBA; despite his outstanding defensive play, his diminutive stature limited his potential and he soon developed a Napoleon complex.

5 metawords:

Anonymous said...

GWB was turned down for his audition to join The Allman Brothers band.

They figured he did too much coke.

Now here we all are.

Falwless said...

Poor Kim Jong-Il.

I'm sort of obsessed with that guy (and his nation). He totally intrigues me. Seriously. What a bizarre, bizarre man (and country). And so secretive. I wish someone would make a documentary about him.

Red said...

They did Fal. It's called Team America.

Have you seen Hitler's art, though? It's really shitty.

ÄsK AliCë said...

HAHA @ Red

I feel bad for lil Kim Jong-Il too, if only he'd made it to the NBA we wouldn't have the cruel heartless dictator we have today.

I saw a (real) documentary where they smuggled cameras into the country. It was actually really messed up.

Dr Zibbs said...

And me, Dr Zibbs - tried to get my new style of dance going: "tappy-jazz-finger flip"..but failed terribly.