CF asked me why I was so cynical about the World Series. Here's one reason to be cynical about sports:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Former-Celtics-star-Antoine-Walker-is-broke-and-?urn=nba,198509

Truly the intelligent are an overlooked minority.

I talk to fish. They show up at every chess tournament.

groan.

Seems to me the "problem" stems from the public who foolishly idolizes dopey pro athletes and pours money into their coffers. If there's a moral point to be made, it concerns society's misplaced priorities. Good luck in preaching that one!

You are right, Guy. Of course it took centuries to get rid of gladiator games, but it was finally achieved. Gotta start somewhere.

Indeed, there certainly IS a "problem" with *any* full-grown adult who "idolizes" ANY professional athlete!


Chess Fan

Adulation is also unbecoming, as are tax-supported stadiums.

Not to put a damper on things here, but we haven't gotten rid of the gladiator games. We've just replaced them. Screaming and fighting matches on Jerry Springer and Geraldo, reality tv where people vie for the privilege of stabbing each other in the back, various shows where the main objective is to be insulting, rude and cruel to contestants not to mention boxing, ultimate fighting championships, and blood sports. We've not only kept gladiator games we've expanded our repertoire and added emotional abuse and betrayal of your friends as something to strive for.

I can't agree with you Ken. What we have today is a lot less violent and brutal than the arena, or even bareknuckle boxing of a century ago. The work is unfinished--that doesn't mean we should quit. The first thing to be done is to puncture the myths of pro sports, the chief of which is that it somehow reflects glory on the larger group. Can anyone believe that Philadelphia or New York will be better cities for having a team that won the World Series? If so, what is the ground for that belief, besides idolatry?