STEVE McQUEEN & The Power of Hubris
This photo of Steve McQueen is one of my favorites. It was taken in 1963 by McQueen’s friend, photographer William Claxton, who actually stood on the passenger seat snapping pictures as McQueen raced down LA’s Muholland Drive at 100 mph. I like this photo so much I had a 4 x 3 foot print made of it, which sits over my desk at home. It’s under the constant, unrelenting gaze of St. Steven here that I’ve written most of my blog posts, although more recently I’ve found myself just staring back it him, mind completely blank, praying he might offer some kind of inspiration.
Well, it seems like St. Steven was listening, because as I stared at at this picture it occurred to me I’ve never written about why I find him so admirable. Anyone who comes over to the house comments on the picture, but rarely do they ask why I’m a fan. I suppose they think it’s for the same reason everyone else does - handsome movie star/style icon/anti-hero with a taste for fast cars, fast motorcycles, and fast women.
The thing is, I like McQueen for something else altogether – his hubris. Webster defines hubris as “excessive arrogance” – a totally flaccid explanation which doesn’t really capture how awesomely descriptive the word truly is. Hubris actually comes from Greek tragedy – characters cursed by it possessed an excess of ambition or pride. They were out of touch with reality and overestimated their capabilities, which ultimately caused their ruin.
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Cat
Why not just try to be more like Paul Newman? Even McQueen envied him.
Chris
Already tried that…now I’m gonna do this other thing.
Shaf
Hmm…sounds like living a hubristic life would be about the pursuit of gratification only and not the pursuit of happiness/fulfillment/life-progression; where the only goal is “i win the game over and over and again and forever…or i should because i’m such a well-defined and individual and maverick that i can’t be parametered by the rule of others” (whatever game one defines themselves playing…the game of life, i guess).
Worse, hubristic people may equate such perpetual gratification with existential fulfillment. A big fuck you to the world to celebrate one’s conquest of it (or of despotic circumstances) is good when the outcome is self discovery and progression. Not so good if it all it does is fuel the next episode of such behaviour for faux self fulfillment and, ultimately, regression of the self.
Er…i think.
Chris
You say it like it’s a bad thing.
Scot Garrett
I think hubris and extreme narcissism is a staple in Hollywood. I don’t think you can become a “star” without a false sense of entitlement…Unless you’re the past-mentioned Paul Newman or Johnny Depp…
Chris
I suppose you’re right. I’d like to think there are one or two stars out there who with decency and humility – although their names elude me at the moment.
BDJ
‘…out of touch with reality and overestimated their capabilities, which ultimately caused their ruin.’
If you think this describes Steve McQueen, you need to rethink what you think you know.
He was a man’s man, and knew precisely his capabilities. That’s why he lived so well.
Chris
Ahh, brilliant! Not only someone who doesn’t comment regularly (not to diminish to regular commenters – keep on keepin on), but someone who has a possibly informed opinion about a subject we’re both passionate about. So glad you wrote.
Okay – first off, that is the classical greek definition of Hubris, and much as my inclination might to be agree with you on McQueen (the man hangs over my desk, after all), I can’t do it. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the way he lived – he was a hedonist, a sensualist – he indulged himself in ways we can only aspire to. Best of all, he had worthy passions (which I share) that he pursued to the end of his days. He also had certain artistic aspirations, some of which he achieved, and an attention to the detail in his work that made many people crazy but probably improved the calibre of the project.
But he was also completely self-absorbed, in the sense that the merit of most people was measured according to how much they were able to do something for him, his first wife Neale and his children Chad and Terry included. The concept of self-sacrifice, or personal responsibility were begrudging afterthoughts. He had many appetites, but few graces, and if that’s a man’s man, then I’m happy to fall short of the standard. No, happy is the wrong word…I know I fall short of that standard. The point of the blog (assuming you read all the way) is wondering if I should simply be as demanding, as willfully blind to the effect of my demands on others…because trying to get all Atticus Finch on things doesn’t always work. Now, Atticus Finch – the wimpy dude in the glasses who could probably get his ass kicked by McQueen, the same guy who would take his beating gratefully if he thought not to take it would compromise his integrity – now THAT was a noble example of manhood. Combine the best parts of Atticus Finch and the best part of McQueen and THEN you have a man’s man.