by Warren Ross
It has been frequently observed, both in the larger Objectivist community and by members of HOS, that sports represents an area in our culture still dominated by rational values – admiration for achievement, striving for excellence, discipline to achieve important goals. Less attention has been paid to the specific commentary that accompanies sports broadcasts. Although usually focused on the technical details (including often mind-numbing statistics) of the game being broadcast, such commentary frequently furnishes concrete examples of rational morality. By discussing the character traits of the players, and evaluating the current play in this more abstract context, commentators identify the connection between success on the playing field and moral behavior leading up to it.
One recent example occurred at the beginning of an Astros game in June. The commentator stated that Jeff Bagwell had a “balanced” approach to the game, in that he worked hard and consistently throughout the year, but didn’t get overly euphoric when he was doing well, expecting that success for his efforts is natural. Bagwell also recognized, the commentator went on to say, that slumps come, and that he will have to work through them. Many players, the speaker stated, get caught up in all the media attention paid to them when they are on a streak. Bagwell is different – He “lives within himself,” not in the shifting and fickle world of the attention of others. And this approach “can’t help but rub off on other players,” both on and off the Astros.
Sports commentators are not philosophers, and shouldn’t be expected to use precise or fundamental language to describe their subjects. What the commentator was saying, though, is that Bagwell is a first-hand thinker who focuses on reality (his game) rather than the opinions of others. It is his independent thinking that allows him to keep his motivation up in the face of a slump – he knows that continued effort will bring him through it. And his rational approach to the game has a motivational impact on others, who admire and emulate his behavior.
It is gems like this that make watching sports events a pleasure – not only for the sheer excellence displayed by the players but also for the conscious attention paid to moral values by the announcers. It is not a consistent phenomenon, and there are often some very bad comments or commentators (e.g. Marv Albert has a restricted, repetitive vocabulary and acts like a buffoon, and Al Michaels recently said of a player’s philanthropy that he “gave money a good name”). However, when statements are made that correctly tie the actions we see in front of us to more abstract values, such commentary adds a completely new dimension to sports banter. This higher-level discussion provides refueling (and sometimes a needed reminder of a proper ethics) to all rational viewers. Especially for Objectivists, however, who are aware of how rare such connections are made in our culture, it can heighten the pleasure in an already enjoyable experience.
Sports Commentators and a Rational Morality
by Warren Ross
It has been frequently observed, both in the larger Objectivist community and by members of HOS, that sports represents an area in our culture still dominated by rational values – admiration for achievement, striving for excellence, discipline to achieve important goals. Less attention has been paid to the specific commentary that accompanies sports broadcasts. Although usually focused on the technical details (including often mind-numbing statistics) of the game being broadcast, such commentary frequently furnishes concrete examples of rational morality. By discussing the character traits of the players, and evaluating the current play in this more abstract context, commentators identify the connection between success on the playing field and moral behavior leading up to it.
One recent example occurred at the beginning of an Astros game in June. The commentator stated that Jeff Bagwell had a “balanced” approach to the game, in that he worked hard and consistently throughout the year, but didn’t get overly euphoric when he was doing well, expecting that success for his efforts is natural. Bagwell also recognized, the commentator went on to say, that slumps come, and that he will have to work through them. Many players, the speaker stated, get caught up in all the media attention paid to them when they are on a streak. Bagwell is different – He “lives within himself,” not in the shifting and fickle world of the attention of others. And this approach “can’t help but rub off on other players,” both on and off the Astros.
Sports commentators are not philosophers, and shouldn’t be expected to use precise or fundamental language to describe their subjects. What the commentator was saying, though, is that Bagwell is a first-hand thinker who focuses on reality (his game) rather than the opinions of others. It is his independent thinking that allows him to keep his motivation up in the face of a slump – he knows that continued effort will bring him through it. And his rational approach to the game has a motivational impact on others, who admire and emulate his behavior.
It is gems like this that make watching sports events a pleasure – not only for the sheer excellence displayed by the players but also for the conscious attention paid to moral values by the announcers. It is not a consistent phenomenon, and there are often some very bad comments or commentators (e.g. Marv Albert has a restricted, repetitive vocabulary and acts like a buffoon, and Al Michaels recently said of a player’s philanthropy that he “gave money a good name”). However, when statements are made that correctly tie the actions we see in front of us to more abstract values, such commentary adds a completely new dimension to sports banter. This higher-level discussion provides refueling (and sometimes a needed reminder of a proper ethics) to all rational viewers. Especially for Objectivists, however, who are aware of how rare such connections are made in our culture, it can heighten the pleasure in an already enjoyable experience.