[Tango-L] No Subject - about statistics

[Victor Bennetts]

I don't think you can generalise too much. There is definitely an intellectual element to tango. Just compare it, for a moment, with a dance like salsa, which is much more about getting down and dirty (that can be fun too ;-)). Also, compare something like swing which, from what I can observe, is much more about learning spectacular acrobatic sequences.

The intellectual element is important, but I would agree it is only one element in good tango. If you watch a series of performances it is often the ones that are done with affection, tenderness and playfulness, as opposed to pure complexity and inventiveness (the intellectual part), that are the most beautiful to watch. So in my opinion you need both aspects to be a good dancer and a big helping of kindness.

I read an interview with Gavito somewhere where he said something like, 'I don't want to be the one who does the most steps but the one who gives more'. So for me good dancing starts with generosity and I agree with what Keith Elshaw says about the need for this quality on Tango-L. I would also agree that if posts lack generosity it would tend to support the view that the posters are probably not going to be great dancers. These would be the same people who start telling their leader/follower what to do in the middle of a dance and how they are not marking/following some sequence step correctly or start loudly complaining about their partner's lack of connection. In that case, they simply don't deserve dances, or any response to posts either.

Victor Bennetts

>>Dear Charles:

>>  Without statistics, all you say is crap. And with statistics it >>would  be even more crap. As about intellect, your utterrances are >>foolish, to  put it mildly.

>>  Lucia

>Crrtango at aol.com escribió:
>often tangueros from around the country will visit here to dance so I >will get
>to put a face to the writings, opinions, and tango philosopies. It is >always a
>surprise to see how people dance in relation to what they espouse on >the L
>list. Usually the most vociferous and opinionated, especially the >most "creative"
>thinkers who talk about a lot of unrelated semantical, alternative >theories
>and such, tend to be the worst dancers, with very few exceptions. >These are
>often the same ones who don't seem to do well in Buenos Aires either.   >The
>intellect has never made anyone a good dancer (and has deluded many >into thinking
>that they are good dancers), but has constantly reared its head over >the years
>in posts like the silly thruthiness musings.

**************** CAUTION - Disclaimer *****************
This e-mail contains PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION intended solely for the use of the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender by e-mail and delete the original message. Further, you are not to copy, disclose, or distribute this e-mail or its contents to any other person and any such actions are unlawful. This e-mail may contain viruses. Infosys has taken every reasonable precaution to minimize this risk, but is not liable for any damage you may sustain as a result of any virus in this e-mail. You should carry out your own virus checks before opening the e-mail or attachment. Infosys reserves the right to monitor and review the content of all messages sent to or from this e-mail address. Messages sent to or from this e-mail address may be stored on the Infosys e-mail system.
***INFOSYS******** End of Disclaimer ********INFOSYS***