I heard about about what was going on in the world of swimming and was was shocked to hear that Michael Phelps [Ed.: pronounced "MEE-kla FLEP-see"] is quitting because he got beat:
Mr. Phelps’s defeat came in the 200-metre freestyle event against Germany’s Paul Biedermann. Mr. Phelps was wearing the same Speedo LZR suit he wore in China; Mr. Biedermann was wearing one of the full-body polyurethane suits that have made a mockery of the sport, according to critics. After the race, Mr. Phelps said he would finish his schedule at the worlds, then withdraw from all international meets until “swimming gets back to swimming.”
See, I grew up in a world where you only quit when it serves your greater purpose which can include taking another better job, goofing off or to have longer lunches. I have, as you can see, a certain ethical construct that guides me. So is Mr. Phelps missing the point here? Technology's advance as is as inevitable as the coming age of our robot masters. Shouldn't he just accept the future and put the damn suit on himself?
Comments
Kateland - July 29, 2009 10:13 AM
IWell, if anyone were to ask me; I’d vote with either my inner Luddite or Ancient Greek - and ditch the need for swimsuits in competitive swimming.
Hans - July 29, 2009 10:44 AM
Totally agree with Kateland. Swim naked.
brodie - July 29, 2009 11:10 AM
cbc reported this am that the suits are banned following this season so big mike can stash the bong once again and get back in the pool - but this time without his own snazzy suit that helped him win 8 medals.
Ben (The Tiger) - July 29, 2009 5:54 PM
See, if I had 14 gold medals, I wouldn't give a darn about it -- I might say, I'm taking the year off, having fun, and see you next year.
But he should've put it like that, not come off whiny...
Chris Taylor - July 29, 2009 8:31 PM
Can't he be both whiny and technophobe?
It's just like the designated hitter rule (or nukes, and so on). Once technology has been developed and deployed by multiple parties you can't go and undo it. Proliferation will happen because the lure of improved performance and more strategic options is a driving factor all on its own.