What do elite athletes contribute to society?

reporter HS wrote:

And what does "inspiration" do for people in society?

Nothing "crucial". But people pay lots for entertainment and inspiration. I understand what you're implying, but us consumers are the ones who need to make the statement, and stop buying unimportant tangibles... if they really are unimportant.

Elitism establishes a priority in social structure.

The Elitist Paradigm establishes values or a system of thought in a society that shapes the cultural values of the community.

Without cohesive social value we sink into anarchy.

Excellence in athletic endeavor is one of the structural benchmarks use to create the paradigm.

Without cohesive social value we sink into anarchy.

While some may argue the utopian model of anarchy is an ideal social structure it only exists in the abstract and has never become a working entity.

Therefore elite athletes contribute by doing no more than being elite athletes nothing more.

the movement for world capitalism is an example of anarchy(just like enron is the perfect example in america)

sports, like all manufactured entertainment, keep people distracted from the blatent misuse of the worlds resources for the gain of a few aware and ambitious humans who understand and revel in darwins theories on evolution and survival of the fittest.

teep dinker wrote:

Elitism establishes a priority in social structure.

Social structute defines any group of like entities.

The Elitist Paradigm establishes values or a system of thought in a society that shapes the cultural values of the community.

Without cohesive social value we sink into anarchy.

Excellence in athletic endeavor is one of the structural benchmarks use to create the paradigm.

While some may argue the utopian model of anarchy is an ideal social structure it only exists in the abstract and has never become a working entity.

Therefore elite athletes contribute to society by doing no more than being elite athletes

.

yoyoyoyo wrote:

They inspire ordinary people to excercise and so help improving health and reducin health costs.

My thoughts exactly. Elite athletes inspire ordinary people to be physically active or eat healthier, and thus they are less of a health burden to society.

I don't know how many times I've had my students come up to me and tell me that I inspired them to quit smoking, take up a physical activity, play outside more with their kids, eat healthier, etc.. On a larger scale, how many kids have looked up to Michael Jordan and played endless hours of basketball on the playground cause they 'want to be like Mike'? It certainly doesn't hurt to have elite athletes that kids want to emulate, considering physical activity at an early age can have a significant impact on one's lifetime health.

Maybe a better word than inspire is to empower people to take action, on whatever that may be. Just think of the impact elite women athletes have made on females the past 30 years! This image of power.... being strong. Women no longer have to be submissive and settle for being a homemaker. More women than ever are getting higher ed degrees and holder positions of power. It may not be this way worldwide, but the image of elite women athletes in the Western world has had a HUGE impact on shaping modern society.

holding

Do you like it when Team USA wins a gold medal at the Olympics, or World Champs in a sport??

Of course you do.

Than what is it that an elite athlete gives to a society, or community??

They provide numerous things, but these include, a sense of community and National pride, a sense of belonging, they help maintain the illusion of the 'American Dream' and that with hard work any one can be them. Elite athletes also help provide enjoyment for past athletes or those who are unable to compete to live vicariously through their achievements and/or losses.

Elite athletes are very important to the fabric of a society like the US.

deeper

jaguar1 wrote:

Just think of the impact elite women athletes have made on females the past 30 years! This image of power.... being strong. Women no longer have to be submissive and settle for being a homemaker. More women than ever are getting higher ed degrees and holder positions of power. It may not be this way worldwide, but the image of elite women athletes in the Western world has had a HUGE impact on shaping modern society.

i think you mean to say: just think of the role that women's rights has had on elite women athletes.

the rise of women with higher ed degrees and positions of power doesn't come from women athletes - it came from schools opening their doors to women in the 50s and 60s.

elite women athletes ARE an inspiration, will grant you that, but mainly to other elite athletes (mostly women.) this is no different than male athletes - who inspire mostly other athletically inclinded people.

i.e. - that more women are running marathons may be traced to joan benoit (though some would argue that it is more reflective of the "charity marathoners"), but having women CEOs are not. the current gender make-up of medical schools across the country (~60% female) has nothing to do with mia hamm/jennie finch/lisa leslie, and more related to a steady increase of women taking science classes starting in the 50s.

An elite athlete provides balance to society. Every niche of society will be filled by those most qualified to fill it, so the best runners will become those we term "elite". Similarly, the best writers, the best artists, the best policemen/women, etc. will all contribute to society in that way and fill their own niche.

That is the basis of capitalism that makes it work until it is taken advantage of by individuals for selfish gain, which is inevitable, but that is a rant saved for another time.

Okay, here is a rant....From a female perspective, I see this situation a bit differently. I have personally considered the lifestyle of a full-time distance runner to be extremely narcissistic. The runners often leave their hometowns to go to some secluded area that is at high altitude. How is living in total seclusion somewhere in Colorado, totally consumed with running, contributing to society? All that time spent grinding flax seeds and plotting resting heart rate versus body weight on a graph could be better spent helping people. I can argue that those athletes who volunteer on the side are contributing, but I can't say the same for those who sleep 12 hours a day. I also think that a lot of elite female distance runners indirectly promote unhealthy behaviors in young female runners. Let's face it, not all of them are as psychologically balanced as Lauren Fleshmen. Most of them are probably probably calendar girls for the triad. The runners that I admire the most are those that work a REAL job for 60 hours a week and just happen to run as a side thing. Competitive running will not cure cancer, stop the war in Iraq, or help people without medical insurance. I'm not talking about TEAM in TRAINING, because they actually do benefit society by raising money for medical research. I will change my attitude when I see more elite runners put others before themselves. I do still love the feeling of an hour-long run, but running no longer defines me. I run because it comes somewhat easy to me (and is enjoyable), not to obtain fame and fortune. I would rather help people than be totally consumed with myself. I'm not jealous at all of those runners who just eat, sleep, and run. In fact, I feel sorry for them. They have such a one-dimensional lifestyle with nothing to fall back on if running falls through.

reporter HS wrote:

What do individuals think an elite athlete contributes to other people in society? What value does the elite athlete provide others? This is not a put down of elite athletes, as in my view there is tremendous value elite athletes contribute to others. My curiosity is in the thoughts of the “Let’s Run” individuals that make up this community.

Most people don't consciously contribute anything to society. They go about minding their own business and if society benefits, it was totally by accident. Probably 0.1% of the population actually puts an unselfish conscious effort into contributing something to society. 10% work hard to be a professional in some way such as an engineer, doctor etc. that society benefits greatly from. 39.9% probably contribute something beneficial along the way. 50% are just total drains on society. They sit around doing nothing of any importance and contribute nothing or even worse they have a negative contribution. So I wouldn't focus on professional athletes as a problem to society.

Beyond society, we need things that benifit the economy and ecology of the world.

But the first steep is in the individual. When one is in a bad mood, or in pain, usually they are focused on getting out ot that state, despite the cost. When one feels good, then he/she is truly free to use his/her time to make this world a better place.

It starts with personal well-being.

Doctors don't really contribute to society nearly as much as others, when you look at long-term trends. They generally keep unhealthy people alive longer.

It is good to help individuals, but that's not thinking big enough. The real good comes from helping GROUPS of people, or creating things that can.

What we need are businesses that are environmentally conscious. Not-for-profits, co-ops, etc. People who start businesses or organizations that do a lot more positive than negative are on the right track. Companies like Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Nike, and Altia, to start, are evil and by working for them it makes you evil. Get some integrity and work for a company that doesn't harm this planet. Otherwise you are just another selfish apethetic incompassionate virus. 99% of people are. That just what is prodced through human nature and the influence of the media and the pressures of society.

We also need people who are willing to influence others in a positive way. Teachers (those who teach what is right, that is) can do a lot. Instead of going out and volunteering, imagine if you could get 100s of kids to do it. That would be much more effective!

Famous people who are looked up to by many can also use their influence to motivate others to do good things. Actors, athletes, etc.

Also, some lawyers can do massive good to society, such as the lawyer behind the case that spawned the Master Settlement Agreement with Big Tobacco.

Rich people who donate large sums of money to help others, such as Waren Buffet, are also to be commended.

they make us realise how limited our talent is, and how hard we must work.

ttc wrote:

reporter HS wrote:

Question:

And what does "inspiration" do for people in society?

Answer:

Nothing "crucial". But people pay lots for entertainment and inspiration. I understand what you're implying, but us consumers are the ones who need to make the statement, and stop buying unimportant tangibles... if they really are unimportant.

Question 1:

Can one be "inspired", so one can change and exchange attitude for self and to other,as a result act with more kindness and compassion to self and other?

Question 2:

If compassion and kindness for self and other is possible for one individual, can a process of exchange of compassion and kindness occur through the population?

Question3:

Would the result of such a change in social or “collective thought” cause individuals to select, distribute and exchange “important” tangibles more effectively for the good of the mass populous?

Question 4:

Is tangible value a subset of intangible value?

Question 5:

Is the notion “the best things in life are free” have a degree of truth?

Question 6:

Is spirit more important than form?

Question 7:

Can “inspiration” precede “manifestation”?

Question 8:

Can witnessing and the witnessed be one?

Question 9:

Are love and inspiration the same?

Question 10:

Is life without love a life that is worth living?

Question 11:

Is life without inspiration a life that is worth living?

Question 12:

Can one live “selfishly” and “selflessly” at the same moment?

i agree. most elite runners/athletes, male or female, are so self absorbed they contribute nothing to society. it is naive to believe otherwise.

I think you could draw a line between elite athletes and societal attitudes towards race. When people see a Jackie Robinson play baseball, it may make them more acceptible to the blacks that encounter in every day society.

Also playing sports is one of the times where people of different races are pushed together and force to interact.

And how is that any different than someone who is consumed with a professional career? I don't think being passionate and driven about doing something makes one narcissitic. Do you say the same about a banker, engineer or any other professional?

well, someone might go into plastic surgery in order to make lots of money, but actually contribute hugely to a number of people's lives, so it's a bit of a confusing area.