Weaponizing Ham Style
In worlds of art and fashion, ham radio could not be more unexpected.
As such, it becomes a secret weapon in the achievement of sprezzatura, an air of unstudied, effortless nonchanlance, a look, a feel, a way of life that catches observers off-guard and creates opportunities for anyone who seeks advantage…and amare.
HamSprezz is derived from a quality first identified in Baldassare Castiglione’s The Book of the Courtier, published in 1528. In recent years, sprezzatura has seen a renaissance as a descriptor of a subtle somethin’-somethin’ an old trick turned new wrinkle by fashion mavericks worldwide.
No surprise that radio hobbyist / bon vivant Mr. Dashiell, AKA Dash! The Dog-Faced Ham was quick on the pickup and synthesized HamSprezz, a ham-centric sprezzatura capitalizing on amateur radio’s outsider status as the red-headed stepchild of all human pastimes.
Think of it this way.
Imagine striding into a gala opening at London’s Tate Gallery, dressed to the nines, just like everybody else, except for one small fashion accessory, one tiny world of difference.
Yes, imagine the counterpoint of your golden ham radio badge against your evening ensemble.
Suddenly, you are provocative as an Abrams M1 at Waterloo. Not Napoleon, not Wellington, not a man jack and glittering prize at this nexus of art and fashion can wrap their conventional heads around your accessory.
Yes, on its own, your ham radio badge speaks of obscure pursuits in solitary places at the edges of society. But in the context of fine fabrics and exquisite tailoring, never mind the magnificent setting that is the Tate, your curiously raffish composite narrative brings all others to heel.
Suddenly, the only thing anyone wishes to know is who you are. In the space of a glance, you are approached by the unapproachable. You receive invitations to affairs so private the staff is blindfolded. Over crudités and Heidsieck Monopole 1907, you may even be asked how one goes about obtaining a ham license.
Can you think of HamSprezz that way?
Not everyone can. But for amateur radio operators who casually seek a larger frame of reference, a bigger picture, a world in which the simply unexpected might be leveraged in sophisticated ways to achieve rewarding ends, we invite you to stay tuned.
Ciao, baby!
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