Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2012-12-15]: A new research shows that with some exercise we can all enjoy the longer lifespan that Olympian athletes enjoy. [source: BBC News] How much is that “longer” lifespan? Well, athletes competing in Olympics were found to live on average 2.8 years more than other “common” people. First of all, I do not know how this research avoided and ignored the fact that many Olympic Games athletes die very young due to to anabolic drugs and steroids they took by the tons. But most importantly, who really wants to exercise 10 hours per day for decades just to live… 2.8 years more?!?!? If you ask me, this research achieves the OPPOSITE that its proponents think it does: I will stop exercising at all right now! I want to live my life. And I will gladly give away those 2.8 years for more time with my books, with my kids, with my loves ones…
Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2012-10-11]: It seems that the cycling achievements of Armstrong were accomplished through the most sophisticated, professional and successful doping programme that the sport has ever seen. Armstrong's career was fuelled from start to finish by doping. [source: BBC News] How sad. It seems that every big athlete in the last years is part of the drugs industry. Why should someone ruin his life and his self-respect for short-lived glory? Many people change after cancer to the better. But not all. Maybe Armstrong would do the same no matter what. Maybe our experiences do not play such an important role after all. Maybe we are who we are…
Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2012-09-05]: Earlier this year, the British Paralympic Association (BPA) put out a Paralympics language guide and media organisations covering the Games have had meetings and have drafted documents about it to make sure they get it right when reporting [source: BBC News]. For example words like "he suffers from", "victim of", "normal" or "abnormal" are not allowed to be used.
Funny...
I thought that the KEY to make those people comfortable and show that you treat them as equal, was exactly the OPPOSITE: NOT to think rules about what you say to them!
Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2012-08-31]: We've heard of odd rules put in place to keep Olympians and Paralympians from gaining an unfair advantage, but this is odd and more than a little scary: Against regulations, some Paralympians may physically hurt themselves — even to the point of breaking a bone--in order to get an edge in competition. The BBC interviews an athlete who shocked himself as a way of "boosting," as it's called; injuring yourself, the theory goes, can increase blood pressure or heart rate, and thus enhance performance [source: 1, 2]. How stupid can one be? Respecting one’s body is as important as respecting one’s soul. And respecting your self is even more important! Loosing a leg? You can get through that – many of the other (logical) Paralympians have shown it! Loosing your dignity for a record and fame? You can never get through that…
Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2012-07-29]: Many seats in various spectacles of the London Olympic Games are empty, mainly those seats given to the sponsors, thus arousing criticism on the way the tickets distribution has been conducted [source: BBC News]. How different from ancient Athens where poor people were given free tickets to watch theatre…
