Iron Mike Tyson was recently interviewed by some 13-year old content creator and was asked what seems a pretty basic question. But, Tyson's reply was labelled "bizarre" by the media. No - it was brilliant.
“After such a successful career, what type of legacy would you like to leave behind when it’s all said and done?”
_Jazzy
“I don’t know, I don’t believe in the word legacy. I just think that’s another word for ego. Legacy doesn’t mean nothing. That’s just some word everybody grabbed onto. Someone said that word and now it’s used every five seconds. It means absolutely nothing to me. I’m just passing through. I’m going to die and it’s going to be over. Who cares about legacy after that. People think ‘I’ve got a big ego so when I die I want people to think I’m this, I’m great’. No that means nothing, we’re just dead, we’re dust, we’re absolutely nothing. Our legacy is nothing." _Mike Tyson
My man.
Legacy is something I have often thought about, but very much in a similar way to Tyson. Not all the time though, because occasionally I get caught in the trap that it matters. But, it really doesn't, past in the sense of the word where it is what is left for others in a will and testament. For instance, I would like my daughter to inherit some value from me, a house, some money, some crypto. But, that is not what most people really consider with legacy, because often when it is talked about, it is in the context of same famous person, some sports star, business mogul, royalty.
Legacy isn't for the normal person.
Which is why I think that I liked Mike Tyson's response so much, because after all he has done in his life, all the ups, the downs, the achievements, the failures - his response to legacy was one that a normal person should consider.
“Can you really imagine someone saying, ‘I want my legacy to be this’ You’re dead! Do I really want to think about you? Who the fuck cares about me when I’m gone? My kids maybe, or my grandkids. Who cares.”
_Mike Tyson
Exactly. Who cares. Outside of immediate family, no one really is going to give a fuck unless you are someone who is incredibly famous. And then, "your" legacy is actually their belief systems that what you did mattered, even if they don't know you. Some people in the past might have incredible legacies that people remember and revere, but does it mean that they were good people?
Who knows?
Their family. And maybe some friends, because they are the only real people who are going to have enough consistent interactions, enough access "behind the scenes" to be able to judge the character outside of the actions they are known for. It reminds me of that Ricky Gervais quote,
Your reputation is what strangers think you're like.
The legacy that 13- year old was asking about, was one for the face of strangers, not family. She is young, but I think that people far older than her would be thinking much along the same lines, which is where she has got her understanding of legacy from. Legacy is something that we create so that people we don't know will revere us. Yet, most of us are so far from doing anything that is really worthy of being remembered.
What are the top three things you would be remembered for right now?
- Good father
- Hard worker
- Troubled
I haven't changed the world. And other than the good father, I think both family and the less familiar with me would agree to the last two. Even people who haven't met me on Hive, would likely accept hard-working and messed up as two traits. These aren't really legacies though, are they?
The only real legacy I have to provide the "strangers" is here on the blockchain. My writing. It might not be much, and there might be a lot of crap in the mass of words, but I reckon that if someone were to actually trawl it, there would actually be a fait bit of insight into many areas. I am not saying all would be gold, but there might be a few nuggets and a diamond or two to discover.
Not much.
But, let's face it, it is probably more than most. That isn't a disparaging comment, but more a commentary on what most of us do with our lives. Which is, not much consideration of what we leave for others. Instead of worrying ourselves with legacy, we are concerned with more important matters, like paying the bills and putting food on the table. The majority of us are trying to make ends meet, to survive, and perhaps extract some miniscule amounts of joy from what can otherwise be a hard life.
Legacy is a luxury.
I don't have the luxury to plan a legacy, but I do have the possibility to create one as I go, on Hive. Spending some time writing each day brings me some personal value for my head and heart, and hopefully some for the people who read and interact here also. But, for my daughter it will be a place that she can come to and read my thoughts, even if I am not around. And of course, there is the chance to earn a bit along the way, which will hopefully provide some more tangible benefits for my family at some point. That would provide something memorable.
But for me?
Who cares.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
I think when all is said and done I just want people to remember me fondly. I don't necessarily need a legacy, but I want my nieces and nephews to remember the fun things we did and the good times we had. Maybe some of the wise things I occasionally said, and that I was always there to support them.
Wouldn't it also be nice for them to remember those fun times, while they are sitting around having a barbecue on a camping trip using the equipment you left them?
For sure! How we impact those close to us has really been at the forefront of my mind lately.
This gives you plenty to think about. In the U.S., mainstream media has characterized Tyson's responses as "harsh" or "odd." However, I believe he was simply being honest, perhaps even offering a nugget of wisdom to the interviewer.
Earlier in my writing career, as I worked on books, the idea of legacy was always on my mind. Without biological children of my own, I viewed my words as my legacy, which fueled my motivation to create. Now, at fifty-three, I’ve come to understand that for many of us, the only enduring legacy we leave is the way our lives influence others—for better or for worse.
Sometimes I wonder looking at a person going through a rubbish bin for bottles to return, what happened in their life to end up that way. I also think what kind of impact it has on their family. Yet, perhaps it is actually better for the family at times that someone drifts away.
I wonder sometimes too. I think sometimes the pressures of life are too great for people and something inside them breaks. Also, maybe they realize the damage they're doing by being around their family/friends? Homelessness would have it's own subset of stresses but, perhaps, some prefer the struggle for daily survival over the stresses of modern day life? I'm not sure.
You won't know this name, but football coach Mike Leach was being interviewed by Jeremy Schaff (both are highly respected) as they walked from his home to his office, about a 20 minute walk. Schaff asked Leach what he wanted his obituary to say. Leaches' answer was priceless:
"What do I care? I'm dead."
From a man who actually left a legacy :)
I think that there are people who are trying to "live in the moment" but all they are really worried about, is what they are going to be remembered for. I am not sure if it is future thinking, or future past thinking :)
In a way I get his perspective but at the same time I don’t think it’s a fair one in some ways.
If he didn’t become such a famous boxer then he wouldn’t be in the position he’s now so he’s already got a legacy. He may not care about it because he’s done a lot in his life already but I think you and I likely don’t have anything to worry about in terms of legacy. We have the kids and would hope that they think back on us as good parents and people which is a good legacy to leave. People like Tyson - he leaves a legacy no matter what. I think he’s doing this fight tonight because of that legacy.
Maybe though, he is looking more locally at his family, and fighting just for the money. 20M for 16 minutes work? Well, there is the training and history etc - but fir him, easy money?
I think that Tyson and Tywin Lannister would have a interesting(perhaps even life changing) conversation about this.
Tyson died on a toilet.
And Tywin becomes father of the year.
It's honestly incredibly freeing to disregard legacy entirely. Concentrate on how you treat people while you're alive and don't worry about what or if people think about you after you're gone. Legacy doesn't matter... but today does.
I do think it's incredibly unlikely anyone will read old stuff on the internet while there is a trillion hours of new content being produced every day.
And tomorrow, and the next day. Because what we do each day does affect tomorrow's today. If that makes sense. I think we should consider what we "leave behind" in terms of how our actions are going to affect others - even if we don't know them.
I agree. Except, my daughter might be interested. It again comes down to who actually cares. Strangers don't.
Someday your grandson will ask an AI life question and receive an answer that begins with the words - “Your grandfather would say it this way...” Your daughter will also consult with you when she gets much older.
But personally, I believe that the matter of this world is only a part of something larger. Therefore, our life also has other meanings.
If the AI is trained by my thoughts, it might not solve too many life problems! :D
This is a very philosophical post. True our written word here is an interesting "legacy" or a record of our existence and even a form of immortality as long as the blockchain itself survives...
There used to be a way to export all articles, but not sure if there is still a service. It should be inbuilt into front ends perhaps.
This put me in two minds. I liked Tyson's view of legacy while I was reading it, but then I thought we all leave a legacy (imprint?) however small.
We all do, because we all make an impact on the world in some way. However, is what we leave positive, or negative?
I think the best legacy for an ordinary person such as us is to be known a good person :)
By the way I am waiting for the boxing match 🍺
Did you end up watching it live?
Not really, there were other matches before it so I felt asleep 😄
Unless you're willing to pay insane transaction fees as a solo writer on another blockchain, is there anywhere besides Hive where you can leave behind an immutable legacy?
I am not sure. I have only been here (and Steem).
I guess if someone is bitter enough, they could go to Blurt! :D
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Legacy is very much something I know exists and haven't otherwise thought about especially in terms of any I might have. Is it something a lot of people consider normally? o_O
I admire Mike's candour and respect his opinion, but legacy is important in my opinion and it boils down to this:
Be a nice considerare person to everyone. Show respect fo everybody. Give people the benefit of the doubt.
Don't hold grudges.
Then, when you are gone you'll be remembered as an honest, decent, sound person by all that know you.
I think you have certainly left a legacy here on Hive @tarazkp, I would say as much as or likely more than anyone else. When I read your posts, I always learn something about you, and you often dig deep and give honest opinions. I reckon some day your little one will treasure these writings.