There are so many metaphors about walls.
We build them around us, between us… We tear them down. Each brick is symbolic.
Walls are powerful.
This is your wall.
This is your story.
The concept for this mural centers on traditional and contemporary wisdom and advice for young men. And, throughout your time in Hudson House, and beyond, you can build on what you see in front of you.
While it might sound like something you’d read on a sugar sachet, “Life is about falling in love with the process.” This mural began with Rudyard Kipling’s poem, If, and David Foster Wallace’s commencement speech, This is Water. Both of these texts discuss the power of thinking and asking questions, the power of perspective, and the power of the process. These two texts are represented on the mural as goldfish.
The next step was thinking about what iconic character we could bring into the mural that has universality and staying power, while also being supremely cool.
The trouble with icons is they often lose their lustre… The “fallen hero” is a constant threat in storytelling. Fortunately, Michael Jordan’s reputation seems to be rock solid and it’s not likely he’ll be cancelled. In the 90s, way before you were here, a whole catchphrase resonated around the globe– “Be Like Mike!” Everyone wanted to be Michael Jordan and he was, quite literally, the nineties. If you do one thing to start your journey of discovery, watch The Last Dance– if you’ve already watched it, do it again. Michael Jordan’s brilliance was not just athletic, it was his process, his mental aptitude, and his leadership. And probably, most importantly, was how he dealt with failure. While failure was not an option, he used it and internalised it to “Bring his Game”.
People will find a lot to criticise you on… You’ve seen what happens on social media. However, it’s really really difficult to argue with excellence. Michael Jordan proved that “You can’t argue with game,” it’s the ultimate way to prove yourself.
So, find your game, whatever it is, and bring it. “Be like Mike.”
On either side of Michael Jordan is a pair of Nike Air Jordans. We’ve included a cool video about how Phil Knight was brave enough to create a global behemoth out of nothing. And, if you’re not familiar with Greek Mythology, Nike means victory, which is apt given their collection of sponsored athletes who are part of Nike’s global brand story. As an artistic flourish, you’ll notice the Air Jordans are in your school colours.
We’ve also included a QR code linking to a dazzling goosebump-ride on one of the greatest athletes and humans on earth, Eliud Kipchoge. If you’re looking to be inspired and learn about teamwork, there’s no better example. Kipchoge’s philosophy is “If you don’t rule your mind, it will rule you,” and “no human is limited.” In a feat of impossibility, Kipchoge ran a marathon in under 2 hours.
Perhaps you don’t recognise the portrait on the right… You can award yourself bonus points if you do. If you ask most professional athletes, businessmen, CEOs, professors, candlestick makers, and movers and shakers who they’re listening to on Spotify, it’s probably the Huberman Lab. Dr Andrew Huberman is renowned for making human psychology cool and for his work on hacking our brains. Here’s the deal, motivation is nonsense. You can read all the motivational posters and books in the world, but without discipline, nothing gets done. Unfortunately, humans are designed backwards… The more disciplined we are, the more motivated we are. Sadly it’s not the other way around. It starts with discipline. Then everything becomes fun and clicks into place. Silly, isn’t it?
However, that doesn’t mean discipline can’t be fun… Work together, find your team, be inspired. And sometimes, you might just need to unleash your inner tiger… This is where you scan the QR code near the tiger. You may think it’s lame, but we don’t care what age you are, some anthems stand the test of time… Especially against the backdrop of a Rocky montage. Plus, you should never take yourself too seriously.
Finally, the mural is bookended by your school basher and a mechanical arm holding a cell phone. These symbolise the old and the new. Hold onto your values when you enter the future, hold true to the best bits of what you learn, and approach new technology with equal amounts of scepticism and joy. Be in awe of human potential and what we can create if we fall in love with the process. We’ve added a link to the podcast This American Life, and if you’re interested in storytelling and journalism we hope you’re inspired… There are so many stories to build into your wall. Your story is what you leave behind.
You can change the game.
Love the process.
Get building.
This is YOUR wall.
Jackal & Hide
