January 23, 2009

When did it become bad to be good?

A Dallas high-school basketball team wants to forfeit because they played TOO well? What the hell?

Texas girls hoops team seeks forfeit of 100-0 win

This is another sign that we as a society are headed the way of the dinosaurs.

While, I understand the disparity between the teams, it is a bad idea to forfeit the game.

First, doing so completely devalues the effort the Dallas Academy players demonstrated. That is a nice slap in the face. How would this sound, ‘I know you tried your best, but you’re so pathetic of a challenger we don’t even want the win’. Real nice.

Secondly, the winning players broke no rules. Forfeiting this game, will introduce doubt in the players as to whether they should truly give 100%. Their unconcious mind will know there is a chance, if they do TOO well, they may be penalized. The losing team is being taught that they need not give 100%, because they will be compensated for their lack of skill.

We as adults should NEVER teach our children to accept mediocrity. If we do, they will not strive to attain those things that seem unattainable.

We should NEVER punish them for their success. If we do, we destroy their capacity to lead and their ability to hope.

This is a matter to be taken up with the coach’s and the committee who is responsible for scheduling games. The Covenant coach could have taken to opportunity to play some of the less skilled players. The committee could have not scheduled a contest between two team so unevenly matched.

The simple fact is a contest was entered between two teams and one team came out the victor. If one team lacks the skills to win, they deserve to lose. That is natural selection. The strong survive, the weak either get (stronger/faster/smarter) or they perish. At least in basketball, the coach and players have the ability to learn from their loss and practice those specific attributes so they can win the next season.

 Nature (and real life) isn’t so accomodating.

Let’s think about this for a minute …

“Michelangleo, that Cistine Chapel is just a bit too nicely done.  It is making the other artists in the area feel sort of inadequate. MMM .. the Pope has asked that you change the Creation of Adam part … he would like you to … well … make Adam ugly. That would be make the other artists feel better. Also, he has formally forfeited 1/2 of the chapel ceiling. He has other artists in right now painting over what you had done.”

“Gentlemen, Operation Overlord was a total success. We were able to push the German troops back and secure France. However, the President is embarrassed that we did so well against the German’s.  He has sent them a note officially apologizing for our poor sportsmanship. The President has ordered that we retreat back to Omaha beach and prior to any invasion we must drop leaflets detailing our plans, so the enemy can prepare”

You laugh and say to yourself, that I am dumb, but seriously if you start in schools today, what will be the result in 50 years?

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