I Like A Little Bravado

I was watching this video where Prince, God rest his soul, shredded on his guitar for over three minutes and then threw it into the audience.  After watching it a few or dozen times, I realized something I think I always knew: I like a little bravado.  I like it when people who are good at something, know they’re good, and – in small doses – let us know that they know.

I like a little bravado because it’s an acknowledgement of the truth, and I’m a fan of truth.  When someone with serious skills performs with bravado, you have to say, well, OK, I may not normally like it when people show off, but this guy is so good he can get away with it.

I also like bravado because it lightens up the mood.  The world is a serious place.  Watch the news for four minutes – you’ll see how bad it is.  It’s dark, scary, and very serious.  Pepper a little bravado into any slam dunk, touch down, speech, recital, or even a blog post (not this one), and see how it takes the edge off?

When I think of bravado, I think of Spanish Conquistadors.  Why?  Because Spain is where the word originated.  Conquistadors were bad dudes.  I don’t endorse many of the things they did, a disclaimer I feel a little silly giving, but those guys hacked their way through America – the deserts in the Southwest and the thick marshy woods in the South (which is much gnarlier than it appears from your car window on the 10) – basically conquistadoring everything in their way, so they deserve a little respect.  They had bravado.  Should I have written about this?  Oh no,  I sense this post coming back to haunt me in 2036 when I launch my political career.  Someone prepare my apology speech.

Anyway… bravado also reminds me of the 80s; my childhood years.  It was an era where everyone was out-bravadoing another.  Who could have the biggest hair?  Who could fit into tighter spandex?  Who could sing the highest notes?  I know, none of those things sound like a swaggering display of courage (bravado).  But if you were there, you know what I’m talking about.

Of course, too much bravado is bad, as is bravado with no skill behind it.  All bravado all the time is all obnoxious.  It’s got to be in doses; the right amount.  What is the right amount?  If you don’t know, you’re not ready. And even more important, to pull it off, you have to have a high level of skill.  How high?  Again, if you don’t know….

I will admit, the anti-bravado warrior is intriguing too.  In fact, it’s almost as interesting to watch a great performer who is so humble and quiet that you’re not sure if he really realizes how good he is.  It kinda throws me off … how can you be that stoic when you’re that good?  We need those people too because if everyone acted with bravado, well, it would be like listening to the same song all the time, everyday.

I know people who oppose virtually any showing of bravado and I think that’s a bit of a shame.  I think they don’t like it because they see it as arrogance or elitism,  But that’s not the type of bravado I’m talking about.  Bravado doesn’t have to be exclusive to the one putting on the show, and it doesn’t have to put others down.  I like the kind of bravado that says “I got it, and so can you.”  Bravado without respect for others doesn’t work, at least the type that exists in my mind.

So there it is: bravado is good.  Comes from Spain. Too much: bad.  No skill behind it: also bad.  And if done in arrogance or elitism: disqualified.  Settled.  Now I’m going to sit back and watch Prince tear it up again.