▶ Your Answer :
“Tiger left leather; human left name.” As a
proverb in Asia pointed out individuals’ greatness can be recognized and
highlighted by the people who live after them. However, I disagree with the
claim because there are remarkably abundant cases we appreciate people’s
greatness while they were alive such as the cases of Steve Jobs and Mozart.
First
of all, one may argue that people’s greatness or achievements will be assessed
by those who live after them. This claim might be true especially when the
individual’s performances or accomplishment were not adequately highlighted by
contemporaries. For instance, Vivian Maier, a street photographer in Chicago,
is the one whose photos were open to public and being recognized after her
death. Diane was not able to rent a museum even though her pictures were
artistically valuable. After she has passed away, a person who bought her house
has found and brought a life to the artifacts. Like this case, people’s achievements
can be assessed by those who live after them.
Even
though there is such case, however, it is not difficult for us to observe
greatness of individuals even before they pass away. Moreover, noting the
phenomenon of sharing information with ease and quickness through the Internet,
people in modern society are more likely to become aware of other’s greatness.
For example, Steve Jobs’ greatness on developing IT devices and industry were
well recognized and assessed by contemporaries even before he passed away.
Using the Internet, iTunes, and Podcast, people have been fully aware of Jobs’
achievement and contribution to the industry as well as to their daily lives.
In
addition to Jobs’ case, there was a musical genius, Mozart. Mozart was known to
be able to compose a song when he was five years old. This amazing news was
spreading rapidly throughout the countries in Europe, and people living at that
time were eager to meet him in person to enjoy his greatness on music. Even
though they did not have any speed network to share the information,
mouth-to-mouth network was what effectively attributed to this phenomenon in
the middle age.
In
sum, even though there are some cases in that individuals’ greatness might be
decided and appreciated by those who live after them, I disagree with the claim
because contemporary people are able to, and do decide the people’s talents all
the time. Just like the people who lived along with Steve Jobs and Mozart, greatness
of individuals has been valuable issue, topic, and subject to discuss for
contemporaries. |