Re:Warnie - 2006/12/21 22:21 here's that long tradition, starting from earliest school days, that sport is supposed to teach us about decency, morality and fair play, so it's perhaps not surprising that sporting heroes are assumed to represent these ideals.
Eloquently put redeye.
CB much respect to you as well and cheers
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terrapin Platinum Boarder
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Re:Warnie - 2006/12/21 22:37 RedEye wrote: terra, apart from sport being practically a religion in this country, perhaps sportspeople have particular clout, and a particular place as 'role models' because they're held up as such to kids?
Yes that's true, and it's a problem for sure. But why is this the case anyway? Is it a hand-me-down to our kids, this mindset that Australians have of being particularly obsessed with beating the crap out of all comers in the sports arena? Look at the funding we give to sport and you can see where our priorities lie. We really have a huge chip on our shoulders don't we?
We (well not we, here, obviously! but Australians in general) idolise sportspeople who are really not automatically in a qualified position to fulfil our idealistic needs as good examples of social behaviour. Obviously you could even argue their status as favoured citizens gives them even more leeway to abuse that privelege and fail our role-model test.
RedEye wrote: There's that long tradition, starting from earliest school days, that sport is supposed to teach us about decency, morality and fair play, so it's perhaps not surprising that sporting heroes are assumed to represent these ideals.
Sadly I thinks that's one assumption we'll have to let go of. Those qualities still exist here and there, but as Australia gets more and more hungry for attention, it seems to be a case of win at any cost.
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RedEye Platinum Boarder
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Re:Warnie - 2006/12/21 22:44 colourbox wrote: Hey, I don't mean to pass judgement on anyone who may or not have been involved in extra maritial affairs. We are all human, we all make mistakes. No one is better that anyone else. I only made the comment because I was familiar with people who dabble in this game and thought that there were no adverse effects. Or to put it more truthfully, could not care less what was the result.
CB, I didn't get the impression (nor I'm sure did others) that you were passing a blanket judgement or being all morally superior. I took it as a comment more about flagrant serial cheaters, and those who do it very openly, to the detriment of those around them. We're all only human, but when we're talking in the abstract like this, it's always good to be reminded that there are real acts that have consequences.
Hope I didn't offend you--just wanted to say thanks for telling us that bit of your history. When we're having a discussion like this, hearing about someone's lived experience is valuable beyond measure
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RedEye Platinum Boarder
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Re:Warnie - 2006/12/21 22:59 terrapin wrote: Yes that's true, and it's a problem for sure. But why is this the case anyway? Is it a hand-me-down to our kids, this mindset that Australians have of being particularly obsessed with beating the crap out of all comers in the sports arena? Look at the funding we give to sport and you can see where our priorities lie. We really have a huge chip on our shoulders don't we?
lol, so true. This obsession with winning seems like another variation on the wider cultural cringe--if we win, then we must be as good as ___________ (opponent country, fill in the blank). It really is becoming a 'win at all costs' game.
But (from memory) I think the linking of sport with everything moral and good goes back to the 19th century and the rise of the 'respectable' culture (linked with evangelicalism) that was used to pressure the working classes to spend their newfound leisure more productively. Sport was linked with a 'healty body-healthy mind' philosophy and believed to promote moral values (and keep the working-class rabble out of popular theatres and pubs).
terrapin wrote: We (well not we, here, obviously! but Australians in general) idolise sportspeople who are really not automatically in a qualified position to fulfil our idealistic needs as good examples of social behaviour. Obviously you could even argue their status as favoured citizens gives them even more leeway to abuse that privelege and fail our role-model test.
So agree, especially in light of, not only Warnie's behaviour, but the shenanigans of so many footballers. Perhaps that's what comes of putting all their energies into physical development? They're idolised at such a young age and boy, do they take advantage of it!
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Damo Gold Boarder
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Re:Warnie - 2006/12/21 23:07 I come to this discussion as a doting cricket lover, with over 25 years conscious memory of taking in Channel 9's TV coverage of cricket. I consumed a large diet of cricket growing up, and voluntarily too. Love watching it. Loved playing it in my yard. Clearly I am one of "them", but I'm not as biased as my disclaimer may appear.
I have actively played various forms of cricket since the age of 8. I represented NSW just 3 years ago at indoor cricket, at an amateur level.
Having said this, I am a fan of Warnie only so far as he is a master at his chosen art. Like a guitarist or an ice carver, he truly is one of the best at what he does. I can respect that it is hard to do and even harder to maintain and endure.
Results on paper may speak of a legend - but overall to me : a very good leg spinner does not a sportsman make !
I choose to ignore the rest (the articles, the behaviour, the sound-bites, etc) and focus on all the other things to enjoy about it, because clearly he is a tosser of the highest order. He is not an everyday Aussie to me. He is not the epitome of an Aussie sportsman to me either. I, for one, as a long time Aussie cricket fan, am glad he never got to be captain full-time.
Opinions abound and, as a dedicated cricket fan, it's always a giggle to read what is said in various media. Most of it true. Most of the it doesn't need the over-indulgence it gets - but hey that's the media right ? Most of us cricket fans realise that media-talk about things outside cricket only fuels the argument that cricket is by and large, boring and not-worthy of the coverage it recieves. (which in the grand scheme of things we know is true). We have a hard time with wives and girlfriends as it is trying to watch what is on, without extra outside pressure like this, interfering with our plans of summer and Channel 9's cricket, thankyou Warnie and the like.
Anyway I digress - Looking forward to the article Aaron. I have been the recipient of many intellectual smacks-in-the-face from various articles on this site since inception.
I expect no different here. Fire away.
(and be sure to save a section for the exploitation of Simone during her "marriage crisis" era by various womens media - or maybe that needs its own blog ...)
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aarondarc Admin
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Re:Warnie - 2006/12/21 23:42 I dont suppose there are any warnie fans here who know of any interviews with the aussie legend about "that" topic, do they?
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