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Bob Parasiliti (Joe Crocetta / April 15, 2012) |
Image is everything.
That’s what they say ... at least when they are selling cameras.
But image is more than just a picture. It’s also a perspective.
It’s a focus, even in camera land.
And at times, it is even a stereotype.
Certain words conjure up their own images — and stereotypes.
Let’s take professions, for instance.
Sportswriter. Right away, it’s an overweight guy who gets paid to watch games, spends too much time in front of the television and always seems to have a hot dog or a beer in his hand.
Wait. Bad example.
OK, let’s try lawyer. They are often portrayed as a ruthless person in an expensive suit, slicked back hair with a personality that rivals a shark moving in for a kill.
I know lawyers who don’t dress that well.
How about football coach?
He’s usually perceived as a big guy with a vast wardrobe of shorts and T-shirts, who constantly yells at his players. He grits his teeth a lot and preaches — using a gravelly voice — motivation, focus, team and discipline at all times.
He’s a drill sergeant with a bunker mentality because football is warfare. Don’t say anything that will give the opponent an edge because it’s “us against the world.”
And the attitude is to win at all costs. Nothing should stand between you and victory. Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.
Then, spend 10 minutes with University of Maryland coach Randy Edsall.
He breaks the mold.
He’s rather soft-spoken and engaging. He knows there are times for coaching shorts and times for slacks. And he doesn’t always speak in military clichés.
He has a different belief about winning, though. Winning isn’t everything, it tops the list when weighed against many things.
That’s what they say ... at least when they are selling cameras.
But image is more than just a picture. It’s also a perspective.
It’s a focus, even in camera land.
And at times, it is even a stereotype.
Certain words conjure up their own images — and stereotypes.
Let’s take professions, for instance.
Sportswriter. Right away, it’s an overweight guy who gets paid to watch games, spends too much time in front of the television and always seems to have a hot dog or a beer in his hand.
Wait. Bad example.
OK, let’s try lawyer. They are often portrayed as a ruthless person in an expensive suit, slicked back hair with a personality that rivals a shark moving in for a kill.
I know lawyers who don’t dress that well.
How about football coach?
He’s usually perceived as a big guy with a vast wardrobe of shorts and T-shirts, who constantly yells at his players. He grits his teeth a lot and preaches — using a gravelly voice — motivation, focus, team and discipline at all times.
He’s a drill sergeant with a bunker mentality because football is warfare. Don’t say anything that will give the opponent an edge because it’s “us against the world.”
And the attitude is to win at all costs. Nothing should stand between you and victory. Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.
Then, spend 10 minutes with University of Maryland coach Randy Edsall.
He breaks the mold.
He’s rather soft-spoken and engaging. He knows there are times for coaching shorts and times for slacks. And he doesn’t always speak in military clichés.
He has a different belief about winning, though. Winning isn’t everything, it tops the list when weighed against many things.
