My major objection to spectator sports is its passivity. While the players play, the spectators are limited to watching, commenting, and...eating. Now, finally, I'm interested in being as active as the players. When it comes to athletics, I want to bike, swim, kick, throw, catch, and just generally put myself on the line.
But this brings up a question: Is reading to living as spectating is to playing? For example, last week I read John Le Carre's first novel, CALL FOR THE DEAD. In it, master spy George Smiley engages in a wide variety of actions: observing, planning, arguing, drinking, and even physical fighting. All the while, I lay on my back reading about George. I found myself wishing that I were a spy, but I wasn't doing anything remotely close to spying.
If the analogy holds--if reading is as passive as watching sports--perhaps I should give up reading and start living.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
The Dipsea
The Dipsea foot race--occuring for nearly a century in Marin County California-- is the second-oldest running event in the U.S., right behind The Boston Marathon. Mike D., a friend of mine has has won five black shirts, emblamatic of finishing in the top 35--out of more than 1000 runners.
When I told Mike about this blog, at first he seemed displeased, as if I were against sports. "No," I told him, "I love sports. Humanity would be less human without sports. I'm against SPECTATOR sports that make viewers feel as if they have accomplished something when their teams win ("We're number 1!"), while making viewers feel sad when their teams lose.
In a race like The Dipsea, the runners involved put everything on the line. They spend months in training. They risk injury. They ask their bodies to perform feats that are truly amazing. I admire people who engage in sports, whether they win or lose.
Last Sunday, on the day of the Dipsea, I took a short hike in my neighborhood. I chose a path that includes a short but strenuous uphill climb--nothing nearlyy as challenging as the climbs in the Dipsea. I found myself breathing hard, wondering if I could make it to the top, realizing that I am not in good shape. I felt the sweat under my arms. I had to talk to myself, urging me to keep at it. When I reached the top of the hill, I found myself in awe of the thousand plus runners who, at that moment, were doing the Dipsea.
Playing sports is good. Investing hours watching other people playing sports is--in my opinion--a sad waste of the precious hours given to us.
When I told Mike about this blog, at first he seemed displeased, as if I were against sports. "No," I told him, "I love sports. Humanity would be less human without sports. I'm against SPECTATOR sports that make viewers feel as if they have accomplished something when their teams win ("We're number 1!"), while making viewers feel sad when their teams lose.
In a race like The Dipsea, the runners involved put everything on the line. They spend months in training. They risk injury. They ask their bodies to perform feats that are truly amazing. I admire people who engage in sports, whether they win or lose.
Last Sunday, on the day of the Dipsea, I took a short hike in my neighborhood. I chose a path that includes a short but strenuous uphill climb--nothing nearlyy as challenging as the climbs in the Dipsea. I found myself breathing hard, wondering if I could make it to the top, realizing that I am not in good shape. I felt the sweat under my arms. I had to talk to myself, urging me to keep at it. When I reached the top of the hill, I found myself in awe of the thousand plus runners who, at that moment, were doing the Dipsea.
Playing sports is good. Investing hours watching other people playing sports is--in my opinion--a sad waste of the precious hours given to us.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Learning Something New Everyday
I've been promoting my book--WORDS OF A FEATHER--by guest blogging.
Recently, I posted a piece at BrainDump (http://sidebernie.livejournal.com/), which is devoted to the idea that a person should learn something new everyday. I realized that many days go by and I can't say I've learned anything new.
I'm persuaded that watching sports--while relaxing and entertaining--absolutely interferes with learning. I'm not against relaxation and fun. But on balance, I believe that my life will be richer--and more worth living--if I use my time for learning.
Today, for example, I learned that the "to" in "tofu" means "beans" and that the "fu" means "fermented." Is that as good as watching a big league infield turn a double play? Certainly in the moment, there is something thrilling about watching professional athletes perform. But in the long, I'd rather--to echo Thoreau--know beans.
Recently, I posted a piece at BrainDump (http://sidebernie.livejournal.com/), which is devoted to the idea that a person should learn something new everyday. I realized that many days go by and I can't say I've learned anything new.
I'm persuaded that watching sports--while relaxing and entertaining--absolutely interferes with learning. I'm not against relaxation and fun. But on balance, I believe that my life will be richer--and more worth living--if I use my time for learning.
Today, for example, I learned that the "to" in "tofu" means "beans" and that the "fu" means "fermented." Is that as good as watching a big league infield turn a double play? Certainly in the moment, there is something thrilling about watching professional athletes perform. But in the long, I'd rather--to echo Thoreau--know beans.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
