20 Dec
2010
20 Dec
'10
11:47 a.m.
On 12/20/2010 9:18 AM, Dave McGuire wrote:
I'd wager that most people *do* end up doing this. There's only so many
slots in professional sports teams, after all. (This, despite all
colleges teaching nothing but sports these days. I wonder how that works?)
As far as sports not being "productive," don't underestimate the value
of the production of entertainment, camaraderie and social experiences.
I'm not sure what the point of living would be if all we were was
productive. I don't disagree that sports players' salaries are
disproportionately large, but blaming that on sport itself is ridiculous
-- blame capitalism if you must. There is a demand for it or they
wouldn't command the salaries they get (it's not like it's coming out of
your taxes), and just because you're not a fan doesn't mean others
shouldn't be (or that others are childish for being fans.)
Personally, I could argue that the money spent making "Star Trek"
movies, TV shows and action figures could have been better spent, but
I'm not about to start a discussion like that on this list, and I
certainly respect the opinion of Trek fans. (Except people who like
ST:TMP, that's just unforgivable.)
Everyone is good at something and not
good at many other things, if you can throw a football but cannot do
engineering work then go play sports.
Or study medicine. Or turn a wrench building (not designing)
spacecraft. Or fix cars. Or build houses. Or become a commercial
pilot. (big bucks there!) Or do pretty much any other grownup
activity that's actually productive.
Further, this massive obsession with playing games affects the lives
of far more people than just the ones playing. You've seen it; this
whole country grinds to a halt when Superbowl time approaches.
It does? I don't seem to recall this ever happening, but maybe I've
been blissfully ignorant.
I can't get anything done for a solid week!
I'm going to go out on a limb and assume you're exaggerating, just a
tiny bit.
And even outside of Superbowl time, it's TV TV TV
all the time,
watching other people play games. (not that sports is the only
time-waster on TV, but from where I sit, it's a big one)
And you're forced to watch this where you live? Must be *awful*. TV in
general is -fairly- passive regardless of what you're watching. You
don't ever watch TV, do you? Because that sounds like time you could be
spending being more productive. Making REAL grownup contributions to
society. :)
- Josh
-Dave