Lance's latests Tweets: Hard to believe

[Race Radio]

His work was a fad situation coming out of a group in England in the early nineties. To be fair, he is a bright guy and I find much of his work to be intellectually engaging. Without looking at google, I am quite sure those butterflies are the real thing and not stickers. He had made several 'stained glass' windows in the style of cathedral windows, all made with 100% real butterflies. The story goes that someone else was already doing it and he 'stole' the idea and ran with it to the bank. In fact, much of his work other body of work is under the same scrutiny.

All told, I don't really get the value of that bike either. It must be primarily driven by the fund-raising aspect. Did they actually list the winners of the auction anywhere?

I think that this may feed into my dislike for his work. I understand the "Factory" concept in art but I think he may have taken it to its extreme. The butterfly's were supposedly ripped off from that weird chef guy.

In the end art is what moves you. It clearly moves some people, just not me

 

[Sprocket01]

His work was a fad situation coming out of a group in England in the early nineties. To be fair, he is a bright guy and I find much of his work to be intellectually engaging. Without looking at google, I am quite sure those butterflies are the real thing and not stickers. He had made several 'stained glass' windows in the style of cathedral windows, all made with 100% real butterflies. The story goes that someone else was already doing it and he 'stole' the idea and ran with it to the bank. In fact, much of his work other body of work is under the same scrutiny.

All told, I don't really get the value of that bike either. It must be primarily driven by the fund-raising aspect. Did they actually list the winners of the auction anywhere?

Yes as you say he's part of that modern art crowd that came out England in the 1990s. He's always been controversial. One of his famous pieces was cutting a cow in two and putting it on display. It's true that this stuff is mainly bought by billionairs who want to keep one up on another billionaire. The whole scene passes me by to be honest. Most top art is a commercial business these days. It's lost all meaning.

 

[scribe]

There is something appealing about the use and presentation of dead animals in the art for the purpose of 'shock'. One of his sharks is on display at the Met here in the city. It is very disarming and beautiful to look at and juxtaposes against other 'conventional' contemporary work. The stuff is always carefully and thoughtfully arranged in spite of its content. It is also curious to think of in terms of logistics. How do you get it there and maintain it? Most everything the guy does engages me.

 

[Sprocket01]

I suppose the spectacle of it would be interesting. But is it art?

 

[usedtobefast]

I suppose the spectacle of it would be interesting. But is it art?

it's art, if I say it's art. the old phrase is true. the art may not be to your liking.
but that is not the point, usually.

 

[scribe]

I'd rather see concept bikes than 'decorated' frames. I don't much care for any of those bikes in the auction.

 

[pedaling squares]

I suppose the spectacle of it would be interesting. But is it art?

Sure it's art. Maybe not my cup of tea, but it is an expression by its creator. Me, I'd ride the damn things. Can't imagine the abuse I'd take from the boys for riding a butterfly bike though.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Art, no art, I don't give a crap. It's just appalling to me that people can pay thousands and thousands of dollars for this without blinking, while we have millions of people living in sh!t in this country.

Maybe I'm the only one who's bothered by this?

 

[Hugh Januss]

Art, no art, I don't give a crap. It's just appalling to me that people can pay thousands and thousands of dollars for this without blinking, while we have millions of people living in sh!t in this country.

Maybe I'm the only one who's bothered by this?

Another example of the decline and fall of western civilization. A minor one compared to the contrast between what sports stars earn and what teachers are paid.

 

[Digger]

Art, no art, I don't give a crap. It's just appalling to me that people can pay thousands and thousands of dollars for this without blinking, while we have millions of people living in sh!t in this country.

Maybe I'm the only one who's bothered by this?

You're right, but that's celebrity for you.

What I'm more bothered about is the breakdown of the money raised. How much is going to where?
We;ve already seen how Livestrong has a very low efficiency rating for a charity. Cancer awareness is such a difficult concept to audit and one reason I've no doubt why he places so much emphasis on this area. A hosipal bed, a machine, medicine, then at least there would be something more concrete and transparent. I still find it nauseating that he comes back to raise cancer awareness (yeah right), then takes millions of dollars in appearance fees for hos own personal gain. Tour de France - not much cancer awareness there. Giro, he wouldn't talk to the media. No cancer awareness there.

Cyclingfansanonymous made a great point last year. If cancer awareness was such an important reason, why not race the Tour of Burkino Faso, Tour of Langkawi etc? Instead he came to Ireland, took an appearance fee, and the race was cut from five days to three days, due to economic reasons. Amazingly, the plan is to revert back to five days next year.

Real reason for his comeback....Last year in Vegas he talked for ages about Don Catlin. When Lemond asked him a hard question, he took the microphone and suddenly launched into his cancer awareness diatribe. When Paul Kimmage questioned him about 'admiring dopers so much', he defended himself, not be sticking to what paul said, but brought cancer awareness into the equation.

 

[TRDean]

Art, no art, I don't give a crap. It's just appalling to me that people can pay thousands and thousands of dollars for this without blinking, while we have millions of people living in sh!t in this country.

Maybe I'm the only one who's bothered by this?

Yea they bought these pieces of "art"...but you (or I) have absolutely no idea how much money or time these people have donated to the cause or causes of their choice. You are being a little unfair in your analysis. A good question to ask is: Would these folks have bought these bikes if the profits were not going to cancer awareness?

 

[flicker]

Lance tirebiters

Hey, free country if people feel a bikes worth x amount let them spend.

Its for a good cause and hey like I said before if Lance threatens you for whatever reason its your problem.

Now to remind you all once again ride your bike and enjoy.

If you are furious at Lance run your heart rate up to 185BPM for say an Alp d Huez distance.

If it hurts take 2 asprins and call me in the morning.

 

[schadenfreude]

14. The Kenny Scharf TT bike from the Giro goes for 45,000!!!about 5 hours ago from UberTwitter(This was one of his best looking bikes, I'm surprised it didn't go for more)

$45K is not small beer.

fwiw - i was more surprised the project 1 bike sold as high.

 

[cromagnon]

If that money goes to pay for more cancer research be it whatever equipment they use or training bright people as researchers etc etc then fantastic good job Lance.

If.

 

[Digger]

If that money goes to pay for more cancer research be it whatever equipment they use or training bright people as researchers etc etc then fantastic good job Lance.

If.

That;s the problem. I'd be more open to this 'good work' being done if it was cancer research, instead it's this vague term 'cancer awareness'.

 

[bianchigirl]

Digger, excellent post - of course he only raises in the affluent developed world to 'raise awareness' because that's where the big bucks are. What's the point of riding in the developing world where there's just no money? The fact that countries in the developing world would actually benefit from support and awareness initiatives doesn't mean a toss in the face of improving the personal profile.

Alpe and Hugh, I share your despair and concern and don't know how aware you are of this: http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news...mic-crisis/article-330640-detail/article.html
As the markets fell Hirst made 70 million - some would call that obscene - and whoever bought the Livestrong bike will no doubt be seeling it on for a considerable profit. Wonder if that will go to charity?

 

[Dr. Maserati]

That;s the problem. I'd be more open to this 'good work' being done if it was cancer research, instead it's this vague term 'cancer awareness'.

Well if 'cancer awareness' meant it directly went to promoting the early symptoms or avoidance of forms of cancer - as examples:

Testicular cancer:
A change in the size or shape of one or both testes. You may or may not have pain.
A heavy feeling in the scrotum.
A dull pressure or pain in the lower back, belly, or groin, or in all three places.


The following are the most common symptoms of prostate cancer. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

weak or interrupted flow of urine
urinating often (especially at night)
difficulty urinating or holding back urine
inability to urinate
pain or burning when urinating
blood in the urine or semen
nagging pain in the back, hips, or pelvis
difficulty having an erection

.....then it would have a very practical use. But as you say the term 'cancer awareness' is vague at best.

 

[schadenfreude]

That;s the problem. I'd be more open to this 'good work' being done if it was cancer research, instead it's this vague term 'cancer awareness'.

being aware of, and knowing how to detect early symptoms is part of 'cancer awareness.'

 

[Digger]

being aware of, and knowing how to detect early symptoms is part of 'cancer awareness.'

Of course it is, but does it require this much money. People are not idiots.

 

[rata de sentina]

Personally I feel that the money would be better spent researching it rather than advertising it. ¨Awareness¨ is a fluffy term that reminds one of a whole bunch of fruitloops holding hands in a circle singing kumbaya or somesuch. ¨Awareness¨ is conveniently difficult to quantitate and therefore difficult to assess in terms of real outcomes.

 

[bianchigirl]

Serious question - are there not public health campaigns in America e.g. posters and leaflets on self examination? Sorry to sound ignorant but that kind of information is freely available in the UK, not only from the cancer charities but also from the NHS. And if you do have symptoms then you can see a doctor for free, who refers you to a specialist for free, and you get treatment for free.

 

[schadenfreude]

Digger, excellent post - of course he only raises in the affluent developed world to 'raise awareness' because that's where the big bucks are. What's the point of riding in the developing world where there's just no money? The fact that countries in the developing world would actually benefit from support and awareness initiatives doesn't mean a toss in the face of improving the personal profile.

Alpe and Hugh, I share your despair and concern and don't know how aware you are of this: http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news...mic-crisis/article-330640-detail/article.html
As the markets fell Hirst made 70 million - some would call that obscene -

wow, that's one naive generalization.

and whoever bought the Livestrong bike will no doubt be seeling it on for a considerable profit. Wonder if that will go to charity?

who cares?

 

[fatandfast]

Serious question - are there not public health campaigns in America e.g. posters and leaflets on self examination? Sorry to sound ignorant but that kind of information is freely available in the UK, not only from the cancer charities but also from the NHS. And if you do have symptoms then you can see a doctor for free, who refers you to a specialist for free, and you get treatment for free.

Bianchi, yes we have leaflets and posters, They are all hung up in shelters and ghetto clinics. We also have free heath care, but only at the emergency room when your condition is an emergency. Our big deal is how they take the money from us. Yours is not free, you pay taxes and you get the heath care. We are told taxes are bad and would prefer that you get paid less and pay for the care yourself through your job. Lets say you work at a pub, in the US we feel rather than pay a health tax it's better to let the( IE most pub workers don't have health care) pub owner be responsible for my health care. If I quit the pub and can't find another employer who thinks my health is important or he can't afford the insurance/tax I go without health care until I find that caring employer/person or I can wait until the little problem gets really big and go to the emergency room. I hope that sounds stupid to you because it is to lots of Americans myself included.

 

[guilder]

Art, no art, I don't give a crap. It's just appalling to me that people can pay thousands and thousands of dollars for this without blinking, while we have millions of people living in sh!t in this country.

Maybe I'm the only one who's bothered by this?

Now if the bikes were auctioned to fight "hate", I could see your griping as legitimate, as it would appear LA is merely fighting his detractors.

Living in sht still beats having cancer.

It wouldn't matter how much money you throw at the poverty generalization. There has been plenty of "awareness" of it generated in the form of TV ads, highly touted international orgs, philanthropies, etc, and yet it's vigorously alive and as strong as ever.

It seems that money is well spent building optimism for the prevention and curing of cancer.

However, those who have issues with the messenger, are likely not capable of understanding the message.

 

[Digger]

Now if the bikes were auctioned to fight "hate", I could see your griping as legitimate, as it would appear LA is merely fighting his detractors.

Living in sht still beats having cancer.

It wouldn't matter how much money you throw at the poverty generalization. There has been plenty of "awareness" of it generated in the form of TV ads, highly touted international orgs, philanthropies, etc, and yet it's vigorously alive and as strong as ever.

It seems that money is well spent building optimism for the prevention and curing of cancer. However, those who have issues with the messenger, are likely not capable of understanding the message.

That's my point...if the money was going to these two areas, I'd say fair enough.

For example, is there a target number of leaflets that quantifies how much cancer awareness has been spread? Are people examined on their cancer awareness at the end of a campaign, in order to decipher if money has been well spent.

For me this is the most cancer aware area in the world. USP and Discovery didn't pay for that house.



Walk into any room, and the awareness leaps out at you.