Category Archives: Education

Tell the Truth. . . Most of the Time

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This thirty second sportsmanship commercial produced by the Foundation for a Better Life got me thinking about how in sports an “ends justify the means” mentality often dominates. Why is that?

We’re used to seeing wide receivers trap balls and pop up as if they caught them before they hit the ground. Similarly, we’re using to seeing outfielders pop up after trapping line drives as if they were legit catches. And as the commercial highlights, in bball players routinely deny having tipped a ball.

One definition of morality is doing the right thing when no one’s looking, in some sports though, we seemingly accept whatever it takes to win.

Can’t athletes be both passionate about winning and ethical?

I take a car crash approach to YouTube comments, try not to look, but in the case of this commercial, I couldn’t help myself. One commenter made an interesting point by saying it’s important to defer to the third, impartial party to maintain control and that the refs wouldn’t have liked having their call questioned. Is that a legit explanation for the status quo or is it a weak rationalization for lying? Most people ripped the player for admitting to touching the ball before it went out of bounds.

Again, why do we expect people to tell the truth when completing their taxes, but take an “anything goes” approach to winning? If you’re over thirty five you might remember the fifth down game. Gotta love Bill McCartney‘s (of Promise Keepers fame) stirring response.

Maybe it’s just the major sports. Golf is well known for requiring honesty and as Rosie Ruiz found out, generally you have to run the whole 26.2 miles of a marathon.

What am I going to do all about this? The next time I race my daughter in the 500 free, I’m going to get my counter to flip from 13 to 17 and hope no one notices. If they do, I’m sure everyone will cut me some slack.

Thanks

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I joined the blogosphere in January 2008 and took a hiatus during the spring of 2009. Absent much feedback, I’ve been somewhat fickle with occasional name, formatting, and post schedule changes. And now I’m doing it again by reneging on my recent M-W-F plan. Instead of adhering to a set schedule in twenty ten, I’m going to an inspiration-based schedule.

The top three posts to this point and time: 1) Student-Centered Education Reform; 2) Two Types of Self Esteem; and 3) Why Merit-based Teacher Pay is Not a Good Idea. That suggests Lance is wrong not just about the University of Washington football team’s prospects next fall, but people’s interest in my swimming, cycling, and running as well.

Jeez, could my sista be right, it’s not all about me? Shudder the thought.

Thanks for continuing to read, and in some cases, comment. I appreciate it. I hope you’ll consider passing the link to others and jumping in with a comment sometime in twenty ten in order to generate more positive momentum. Also, I’m curious if there are specific questions, topics, or issues you’d like me to write about in the year ahead.

I hope the new year  starts out especially well for you and yours.

Ron

Andre Agassi

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Thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed Agassi’s autobio on a lot of different levels. Here’s my blurb Double A didn’t ask for. “As riveting and provocative a parenting/psychology/media studies/sports studies case study as you’ll read for a long, long time.”

Got into one of those grooves where it was very hard to put down. I like tennis and could have been decent if I was quicker, had a better backhand, could get my first serve in, and had a second serve.

I followed it more closely when Agassi, Courier, Chang, and Sampras were kicking ass nearly every weekend. Now I get excited about Federer and Nadal a few times a year.

It was fascinating to “relive” the era from Agassi’s perspective and reflect on how easy it is to misinterpret things through media lenses. Agassi was greatly misunderstood by everyone outside his inner circle.

That realization was a reminder that people’s questionable actions often make sense when we truly understand the context of their lives. The media loved to rip Agassi for not always playing up to his potential and symbolizing style over substance, but his erratic play and behavior made sense in the context of his two decade long identity crisis. And his identity crisis made sense in the context of his dad’s and Nick Bollettieri’s oppressive parenting and coaching.

My daughter didn’t understand how he ended up being thoughtful and intelligent when he left school in the eighth grade which led to a nice talk about the difference between schooling and education.

People who are not tennis fans will still find it a worthwhile read, but they may end up skimming the 10% or so where Agassi does color commentary on his own most consequential matches.

In the end, Agassi was imminently likable which only added to the overall enjoyment. Here’s hoping Stefanie, his children and him live happily ever after.

Avatar versus Invictus

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Invictus because I’m not a sci fi guy. Friends were raving about the new Star Trek on a run recently. I don’t think I’ve ever sat through a whole episode. I’m definitely a non-fiction guy. That being said, I enjoyed Avatar, I just have a hard time giving into the notion of aliens. Of course the special effects were on a whole new level and even I followed the storyline. My take away, don’t mix business and pleasure.

I followed South Africa closely in the mid/late 80’s and really enjoyed Invictus because it mixed three of my interests, Africa, politics, and sports. I was left wondering how true to actual events it was. Afterwards, I did a little internet research and found an article from a British periodical that suggested not very. However, when I read that piece I had to chuckle. In my opinion, the journalist was quibbling with minutiae. It’s amazing Mandela, 91, has lived as long as he has, especially given conditions on Robben Island.

My suggestion, go crazy and see both.

What Decade is Drawing to a Close?

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What will we call it? I propose the “double zeroes” or maybe that’s redundant and it will just be the “zeroes”, yeah, I prefer that. I suspect the next one will be referred to as the teens even though that’s not entirely accurate. And while I’m on the topic of dates, strangely, I was the only Avatar viewer in our foursome to pick up on the 2154 date on the videoblog screen. And don’t forget to train for the Victoria, BC marathon on 10/10/10.

Eastward Ho

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Conventional wisdom suggests we should be planning for the year ahead writing down specific, measurable personal finance, family, health, intellectual, work, service, spiritual goals. Fools don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan.

I’m just not feelin’ it.

Instead, I’m at a point in my life where positive processes hold more allure than specific, measurable goals. Rather than focus on tangible products, I want to tweak my already healthy daily routines that create positive momentum in my life.

If I remember to whom much is given much is required, spend an hour or two a day moving, save more than I spend, read and write regularly, pay attention to my wife and daughters, and do right by my friends, students, and co-workers, 2010 will turn out well.

The Cheetah

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Recently, on ESPN’s website, Bob Ryan asked how high will Tiger rise again. His answer in essence, “Never all the way.” Wrong. See Kobe Bryant. One could argue that Kobe, on trial for rape, was in a deeper hole than Tiger. What are people saying about Tiger? His image was manufactured, he’s stupid, he should change his name to the Cheetah.

I have a hard time believing that the same people who now love Kobe (mom) are going to think any less of Tiger after he wins his 19th major in six, seven years. If anything, he’ll be a bit more accessible to the average golf fan, and if he pieces some semblance of a personal life together, he’ll probably end up more popular than ever. In this debate, Gillette and Accenture are siding with Ryan, Phil Knight and Nike, with me.

You and I are foolish for thinking we knew Tiger even a little bit and for believing there’s a positive correlation between athletic talent and character. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me a hundred and one times. . .

Onward Blixen to Francis’s previous question about whether monogamy is even realistic. Read recently that 1 in 4.6 married people are cheetahs. Ergo, if that’s correct, three or four of every five are faithful.

Here are some of my secrets for remaining among the three or four of every five.

First, I think positively of myself, not because I’m perfect, but partly because I’m a good husband. Were I to go even a little Eldrick, I’d have to reconstruct my self-image. What a hassle that.

Second, I’ve never hung out with Jordan and Barkley in Vegas. Were I to TDUB, my homeboys would freeze me out (correction: one recently said not true if I videotaped it for them) and who wants to run by themself all the time. What’s the saying, “You are the company you keep.”

Third, impossible to find someone half as hot as the gal pal.

Fourth, who am I kiddin’, those three are more than sufficient to keep me in the center of the fairway.

Story of the Week—Close to Home

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By John Brant. November’s Runner’s World. Exuberant elite runner gets hit by a car near the end of a training run. Fortunate to live, but quality of life radically altered.

An excerpt:

Jenny’s need for therapy far exceeds the funds available for it. Her recovery, moreover, has been slow and undramatic, and the family understands that the public’s interest will dwindle as time passes. “Jenny hasn’t made the big jump,” Peter acknowledges. “There is no feel-good hook to her story. Brain injuries need time. Long-term, it would be great to see her speaking for herself and telling her story in public. I think she would make an ideal spokesperson for understanding brain injuries.”

In the meantime, which might stretch indefinitely, Jenny’s family and friends make a point of living in the present. They rarely give way to exhaustion, or indulge in self-pity. “People assume that I must be angry,” Peter says. “They tell me, ‘You must be furious that one moment two years ago has led to all this misery, and messed up your sister’s life—and your life—forever.’ But I can honestly say that I don’t feel that way. I can’t afford to get angry because I’m too busy trying to figure my way through each day.”

Thanks to John Brant I regained some perspective as I read this story while cycling indoors M morning. Most writers would have tried to turn Jenny’s story into another feel-good redemption story. Brant’s approach works so well because it’s purposefully not beautifully written. He does not draw attention to himself, but keeps the focus on Jenny and her hardships, where it belongs.

Sunday/Monday I was beginning to feel sorry for myself for being behind on tasks, having too much to do, and not feeling much support. Brant, through his telling of Crain’s story, shook me out of my self-centeredness and helped me appreciate the tasks I’m behind on, the opportunities my work affords me, and the solid support I enjoy.

A month ago, a trooper friend and training partner got on some of us for running too cavalierly on the road. He was right, we have to be more careful. Any cyclist enthusiast knows someone who has been hit by a car. Some bounce back, but many are never the same, and too many die. Runners are at less risk, but as Jenny’s tragic story illustrates, no one can control for careless or reckless drivers.

As this year of cycling and running next to cars comes to end, I’m thankful to have remained upright. I appreciate my health, my family, my friends, my work, and I look forward to riding and running similar distances in 2010.

God willing that is.

The Potential Conundrum

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As employees, parents, athletes, friends, artists, investors, people, how do we know if we’re performing to our potential? More specifically, how do you know what your potential is as a runner or how do I know what my potential is as a writer? How do we know if we’re seriously underachieving or maximizing our potential?

Self-understanding is obviously a big help. The introspective person who knows herself well definitely has a headstart on the non-introspective person. But we can’t objectively assess our potential without other’s thoughtful input. Given that, we should be providing more feedback to one another. Me to you, “You’re really good at ‘x’. Maybe if you did ‘y’, you could accomplish ‘z’.” You to me, “You have a talent for y, if you applied yourself even more you could probably do x.”

The problem though is no one likes to receive unsolicited advice. So where does that leave us? Waiting for one another to ask for input. To a co-worker, “What do I do particularly well? What are some specific things I could improve upon?” To a fellow athlete, “What do you perceive to be my strengths? Where could I improve the most?” To a spouse, Tiger to Elin for example, “What do I do especially well? What are some specific things I could improve upon?”

The problem with that though is we’re insecure, afraid that our weaknesses outweigh our strengths. Consequently, we don’t seek outside opinions. Our own are negative enough.

In the end, I’m too insecure to seek objective feedback from those who know me well; as a result, I’m unsure of my potential in any given context, so it’s anyone’s guess whether I’m underachieving, maximizing my potential, or something in between.