Over the past few days, I’ve been haunted by Conor McGregor’s face. He is sitting on the mat after his defeat in Las Vegas, dazed. He is looking into the distance, apparently trying to take it all in. Obviously he is exhausted, having been almost strangled a few seconds earlier. The bravado is gone. He is humbled.
But for me there is something else in his eyes: the realisation that everything has changed. Conor is a clever man and he understands the enormity of the defeat. It is not just a sporting defeat, it is much greater.
McGregor probably understands commerce, celebrity and reward better than any Irish sportsman. He gets our modern world where money, fame, social media and hype intersect. He grasps that in the modern economy the “winner takes all” and if you are not the winner, you are the loser.
In a winner-takes-all market, the guy or the girl at the top takes all the rewards, making multiples of the second place, who makes multiples of the third place and so on. However, once you fall out of the top 10, you barely feature.
This concentrated reward structure has long been evident in sports and entertainment. Take, for example, tennis. There are hundreds of brilliant tennis players on the global tennis circuit. Only the top 10 or so players are known, and these garner enormous rewards.
Imagine how good you have to be to be the world’s 50th-best tennis player? Yet you are sleeping in the Premier Inn, struggling to make a few quid and flying Ryanair to tournaments, despite the fact that you are probably the best player in your country of your generation.
But – and here’s the big but – you are not the best. You are fractionally less good at serving than Nadal, minutely less good at the baseline than Federer, but that fraction is the difference between winner and loser. You are the most talented loser that ever lost, but this is the point.
In winner-takes-all markets, you are brilliant but just not brilliant enough.
McGregor knows that the whole show is based on him being the best in the Octagon. The pay-per-view fees, the huge endorsements, the own-brand whiskey, the limos, the clubs, the notoriety and, of course, the money are based on Conor being a winner.
Was it recognition that this may all be slipping away that was on his mind as he gazed pensively into the distance on the canvas last Sunday morning?
For many years, these winner-take-all dynamics – defined by small differences in performance giving rise to large differences in rewards – were largely limited to the music and sports industries but, in the past two decades, these same characteristics have jumped into all sorts of professions.
We now have superstar lawyers, commentators, chief executives, advertising gurus, photographers, chefs, tattoo artists, hairdressers, novelists, historians, poets, architects, kitchen designers, gardeners, fitness instructors, orthodontists and grind teachers who command far higher salaries, wages or commissions than their peers – despite the fact that the absolute differences between the superstar and the rest may be actually quite modest.
‘Superstar creep’
The proliferation of technology is one of the main reasons for what could be termed “superstar creep” where it is now so much easier for one individual or one product to be marketed to the many. And because the rewards from being number one have become so enormous, it is a self-reinforcing process.
Consider a libel case. The difference between winning and losing is so enormous that it is worth your while employing the best barrister rather than the third-best one. So the best one, the one with the most successful track record, gets all the business.
Similarly for a grind school teacher. If the difference between 580 points and 600 points is a (perceived) career-changing opportunity for the pupil, parents will pay up. The same goes, on a much bigger scale, for chief executives and corporate warriors of all hues.
This process becomes embedded and, in no time, inequality becomes obvious as some people pull ahead and the rest are left behind.
We can see this in the US. The incomes of the top 10 per cent have surged since the 1970s and reached almost 50 per cent of all income by 2007, the highest level on record.
Most of this change has been driven by dramatic change in the fortunes of the top 1 per cent, whose share of the pie has risen from 8.9 per cent in 1976 to 23.5 per cent in 2007.
Real incomes
Meanwhile, the share of the top 0.1 per cent has more than quadrupled, from 2.6 per cent to 12.3 per cent over this period. Average real incomes per family in the US grew by 32.2 per cent from 1975 to 2006, but if we exclude the top 1 per cent from the calculations, this figure falls to just less than 18 per cent.
Being merely good isn’t good enough. And, as the rating structure extends to everything, so society becomes obsessed with success and signs of success. People want the best house, the newest, brightest Nespresso coffee machine, the most remarkable flagstone patio, the most splendid granite-topped kitchen island or most authentic wood-burning stove.
Winner-takes-all rewards are matched only with winner-takes-all possessions. Inequality thus becomes embedded and reinforced.
Conor McGregor understands the game and its rules; and, as a result, has taken his chances better than most. Don’t be fooled by the trash talking: behind the bravado is a man who understands the modern world far more keenly than most.
This is why his withdrawn, defeated face as he sat on the canvas tells a much bigger story. He knows the stakes.
Hi, Isn’t it a pity you didn’t take the comparison between McGregor and the 1% a bit further for example; McGregor gets paid a fortune to beat another human being to a pulp. No value dded there. This point was made in the film gladiator when Russell crowes character threw the swoard into the crowd disgust asking are you not entertained? In other words the crowd parting with their cash to watch humans slaughter each other. Now take the 1% mostly bankers I’d say paid a fortune to fuck the worlds economy and asset strip it. The money is being… Read more »
The whole boiling is just very old-fashioned decadence: and it is not worth a bent nickel.
Karl Marx wrote something about this, I think he was very much against the winner grabs all killing, he was more about sharing resources about more equally.
I am seeing his writings and theories and warnings come to life at an alarming rate every day.
Rightly described as a journalist above, you are not an economist, but an opportunist.
The Banksters control the money supply of the world and thus the very nature of society. Corruption is endemic. It puts a new view on the distraction of ”bread and circuses”, but offers no solutions as an economist worth his salt would.
Close the central bankers. Ban fractional reserve banking and return the world to sanity.
Conor McGregor would do well to follow the lead and example of many more countries. Convert his savings reserves to gold and silver. Poland and Hungary increase gold reserves. http://www.shotguneconomics.com/2018/10/hungary-is-next-country-to-join-global.html Gold now accounts for 4.4 percent of Hungary’s national bank’s reserves, according to the bank’s vice-president Marton Nagy. – Russia Today Hungary’s President Viktor Orban is considered to be cut from the same cloth as President Trump as he also rose to power in the midst of the ongoing global populist movement. And like his fellow world leader, is a big proponent of the gold standard. Donald Trump: “We used… Read more »
People want the best house, the newest, brightest Nespresso coffee machine, the most remarkable flagstone patio, the most splendid granite-topped kitchen island or most authentic wood-burning stove.
Maybe in Dalkey, I’d be happy with a working front gate and the pipes fixed….
Another who knows the winner take all economic realities is Putin. ““Now in regard to the notion that we should break away from the dollar. I agree in general, this is not merely a separation from the dollar. This refers to the strengthening of our economic sovereignty. And this is absolutely right.”” Any country who gives away its sovereignty by adopting an alien currency as its own is already defeated. https://www.milesfranklin.com/russia-dumps-half-of-u-s-treasury-holdings-continues-to-buy-gold/ ””Putin also mentioned how “the whole world can see that the dollar’s monopoly is precarious and dangerous for many,” and that “our gold and currency reserves are being diversified,… Read more »
USD is beginning to look like Conor McGregor in his pensive state.
http://news.goldseek.com/DollarCollapse/1539794069.php
https://www.dollarcollapse.com/rising-interest-rates-pop-bubbles/
Let us hope Conor put plenty away for the rainy day. Greetings The warnings are more urgent . There are more and more writers saying similar things. Even the cabal controlled IMF and the BIS are warning of the coming changes in financial and economic matters. They warn of hard times because of rising interest rates, on larger amounts of indebtedness. Other countries put their money where their mouth is and buy gold. The latest are Poland and Hungary. Russia and China have for years. Take heed and buy your insurance before you need it. House insurance does not cover… Read more »
Further to David’s heavily promoted theme* of “tax” / “take away from” Assets but more or less ignore Income ;
Should the Tax-Man [ Yes, “sexist” ! 8-) ] regularly chop off parts of Bono’s Songs [ Tunes + Lyrics ] ?
After all,- Bono’s “essential + original + long-standing” Assets are his Songs.
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*
This theme features in David’s article above too.
Economics is properly a sub-category of Philosophy. Also,- Science is properly a sub-category of Philosophy. Specifically,- Economics is : a sub-category of Moral-Philosophy AND NOT a sub-category of Science [ i.e. Economics is NOT a Science ]. Granted,- cogent Economics argues its points logically ; viz. Logical description of Exchanges between Buyer & Seller Moreover,- it aims to be deductively logical ; However, because life involves the vagaries of human behavior ; ==> it also acknowledges the absurd ; including the perverse. To, include these vagaries ; ==> Economics must accept as modules “the absurd” as likely to produce certain… Read more »
Here be the “greatest” living Intellectual of our times ;
E. Michael Jones PhD
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e.g.s
Title
E Michael Jones on Capitalism, Neoconservatism, and Americanism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-iXEChw60U
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https://www.amazon.com/Barren-Metal-History-Capitalism-Conflict/dp/0929891147/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1539929439&sr=8-2&keywords=barren+metal
“Barry & George & Michael, & Laura too” …………………………………………………………………………….. ?w=600&ssl=1 https://fellowshipoftheminds.com/the-mine-is-bigger-caption-contest Here is a man, Michael [ aka Michelle ] muted as a strong candidate for future USA President reaching to take as much President as he can ; And, Laura is well amused. Republican Party Vs Democrat Party is a sham. They are all in bed with each other. The Puppet Master [ Rothschilds ] just gives them Kabuki theatre sides to play for to constantly deceive us ; The Puppet Master is the supreme winner ; Even those who are assumed self-chosenites are dispensable & sacrificial ; e.g.s… Read more »
Climate change is a constant. The other constant is we are told climate change is our fault. Another constant is that climate change will affect us rather than we affecting climate change.
https://www.technocracy.news/tim-ball-al-gore-just-cant-escape-his-loopy-scientific-ignorance/
POLE-AXER FLOORED THE DEFAULTY TAOISEACH [ IRELAND’s NEW MORES ] BUT, – VARADAKAR [ or however his name is spelt ] CAN TURN THAT FIGHT AROUND IF HE ARRIVES AS SUPER-WITNESS SAYING …. ……………………………………………………………………………………… BACK-DROP ; Ireland, & the Irish Nation everywhere, are increasingly being viewed as “coarse & vulgar” by foreigners. ……………………………………………………………………………………. e.g. 1 ; The then retiring German Ambassador a number of years ago described the Irish as having become so when addressing a seminar of German Industrialists gathered in Dublin ; “The Irish have become a coarse & vulgar people.” And,- It was with great sadness that… Read more »
THE LIARS TAKE IT ALL WITH SHEER CHUTZPAH
Aside from the general mass-sexualisation of all of society by the Banksters through their Age of Aquarius policy,- the Catholic Church as been deliberately infiltrated since early 20th century with aim to sabotage it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmxk9DvsDIU
If but for the Main-Stream-Press-turbator [ They not Presstitutes ; Because, in essence they are simultaneously their own Host + Client ] ; Pat Buchanan would have been USA President. Ever since,- he continues to be a very important observer of the Bankster-taking-all-of-USA ; Here,- Buchanan is not pulling his punches ; EXCERPT ; Buchanan calls for not only a thorough investigation of the “stunning” claims made by Archbishop Carlo Viganò, but an extensive “purge” and severing from the priesthood of those who covered up the scandals. “The issue here is whether Pope Francis knew what was going on in… Read more »
Truthist, “”Bankster-taking-all-of-USA ” The bankster takes all reference reminded me to look at the “Big Picture” and not just at the details. Look at the forest not just the individual trees. Look at the big picture not just at the Conor McGregors of the world. There is no doubt that anyone who bothers to take a 15 minute read about the composition and operation of the worlds monetary system will come to the conclusion that there is something seriously array with it. 1. It appears the bankers have manipulated the ruling classes, be that Princes, Kings, Queens or Politicians, into… Read more »
The real truth on the amount and effects of climate change. Note the economic benefits of marginally increased CO2. Note the increased ability to feed the people of the world. Note the only nation to reduce CO2 emissions. Note that the IPCC rewards those that toe the party line and penalizes others. Note who the frauds and deniers really are.
It is well worth the time
https://www.facebook.com/FoxNews/videos/298223894115940/
Listen to the real deal on climate change.
The computer models are programs to produce the desired outcome
CO2 enhances vegetative growth and the grasslands (farms) of the world are producing more and more food.
The scientists produce what the universities want in order to succeed and to get paid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA5sGtj7QKQ
Does Conor McGregor Personify the rise and fall of blockchain technology??
http://www.atimes.com/article/the-most-over-hyped-and-useless-tech-in-history/
The chap in the picure to the side of McGregor behind the wire mesh, bears a striking resemblance to US classics scholar, Victor David Hanson. Hanson is at the other end of the spectrum to McGregor – polite, civil, precise, and whose commentary about Western Civilization are worth absorbing. McGregor (in his current form) is not worth taking seriously. McGregor is a product of a certain proportion of the population of Dublin during the current era – loud, disrespectful, attention seeking, confused by money, and utterly bereft of his inner soul. The more money he has, the more good time… Read more »
Trump likely to regain the Senate and its a toss up for the House. It’s winner takes all in this election. It is the rule of law v. the destruction of the US. Stability v. open borders, unlimited migration and the continuation of graft , corruption and greed.
The survival of the US as a functioning society is at stake. The reverberations will vibrate around the world.
https://dailyreckoning.com/as-midterms-approach-prepare-for-market-volatility/
Amazing how folks will readily brawl in certain settings, or rebel against the government when, wittingly or unwittingly, in a controlled-opposition grouping,- but never be a solitary individual standing up against the physical & devious might of our psychopathic Civil Serve-Piss nor against the sinister machinations & ruthless greed of our psychopathic Professions. Here follows an article hosted by http://www.henrymakow.com about joined-up policy by sectors of both these power blocks of Western States ; ………………………………………………………………………………………….. October 22, 2018 ADHD as a Scientific Barbarism ADHD has spawned a scientific barbarism. Children are seized by Children’s Aid from families who don’t want… Read more »
Robert Faurisson dead today at 90 years of age ;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUQhcxeJc8A
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