The Sweet Science... better yet The Tasty Technology of Pugilism

"To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other."
Jack Handey

As you and your opponent stand toe to toe, chin to chin and exchange steely gazes just before you touch gloves, in your head you hear Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now" playing on your mind's private radio. You're about to engage in what is called "WORK" in these circles. There is no money at stake. THIS IS EXERCISE! This is amateur pugilism (or amateur boxing in layman's terms) and it IS a combat sport. (if you'd prefer not to get hit... keep your hands up.)



Sophistiques embrace all manner of challenges. For instance when running, Sophistiques run our own race. However, running allows a person to cheat (not push to the extreme) without suffering any tremendous loss. As far as exercises go, boxing exposes any cheating or short comings in a persons training instantaneously (your opponent will see to that). Given the restrictions of only being able to hit with the fists and only at restricted areas of the body, boxing maintains an air of civility when compared to the near savagery of other combat sports such as upstart Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Boxing training is great for weight loss, building physical as well as mental stamina, burning calories and heart health. (It's better than eating an apple a day.)



In the DUMBO section of Brooklyn resides one the the premier Pantheons of Boxing...Bruce Silverglade's Gleason's Gym. Since 1937, it has been a mecca for those brave enough to enter her square shaped rings. In the black and white photos Connor Fieldman Boals' captures what seems to be a millisecond of action but is really an eternity to the two fighters as they square off. It's a deeply primal and visceral experience. Simply... ...EXHILARATING.



Oz

Mo'Betta & Oz a.k.a. The Sophistiques

The Bravery... Saved My Life.

"To be brave is to love someone unconditionally, without expecting anything in return. To just give. That takes courage, because we don't want to fall on our faces or leave ourselves open to hurt."
Madonna

The year is 2005. George Bush has been inaugurated for his second presidential term. Pope John Paul II dies and is succeeded by Pope Benedict XVI. The Bravery, a post punk revival / new wave band out of New York City, release their debut single "An Honest Mistake" which laid the groundwork for their self titled debut album. Sam Endicott, Michael Zakarin, John Conway, Mike Hindert and Anthony Burulcich delivered an unforgettably aggressive, adroit and rollicking compilation of tunes that lived and gave life to the minions who dared to experience this mellifluous work of art. It was the sonic equivalent of mixing No-Doz pills and a Cocaine Energy Drink. The result is... you blackout and wake up in a strange bedroom surrounded by 3 (or 4) super models. (Life could be much worse.)




"I'm a begger and a chooser"... why shouldn't I be both...







"...I just want something for nothing"

the bravery - rites of spring

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The Bravery - Fearless (2)

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Heavy on the synthesizers and heavier on the attitude "The Bravery" is an album that will continue to live in the memories of music fans and critics alike. Although, its chart success was nominal, that barometer can't be used to accurately measure the impact of "The Bravery". Like all things Sophistique, they are measured by a more complicated metric...

Oz

Mo'Betta & Oz a.k.a. The Sophistiques

Malcom Gladwell's The Tipping Point - Let's Start An Epidemic Together.

"Fashions are the only induced epidemics, proving that epidemics can be induced by tradesmen."
George Bernard Shaw

Gladwell states "Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread like viruses do." There exists a social economy in which all of humanity play a role. We're all connected and our most minor of actions can affect a myriad of individuals around us. Gladwell details the necessary requirements for such contagion as The Law of the Few, The Stickiness Factor and the The Power of Context.

The Law of the Few: Gladwell references the Pareto principle which states that approximately 80 percent of the work will be done by approximately 20 percent of the people. That 20 percent is broken down into three groups, the Connectors (they link us to the world), the Mavens (they are the information specialists) and the Salesmen (they are the persuaders).

The Stickiness Factor: the content of a message that leaves a memorable impact.(Say "it" like ya mean "it"...)

The Power of Context: Gladwell describes this as "Epidemics are sensitive to the conditions and circumstances of the times and places in which they occur." (Timing is everything...)



Gladwell tackles the process by wish hit music, successful political revolutions, major fashion trends and hit movies are created. A very complicated algorithm, but made very comprehensible thanks to Gladwell's very engaging writing style. The Tipping Point is the Sophistique handbook...

Oz

Mo'Betta & Oz a.k.a. The Sophistiques