Greatness isn't about having the best stats or longest career. It's being the first to establish the template of excellence that all subsequent performers follow. Later versions may be more effective, but they can't be 'greater' if they operate within the framework created by the original innovator.
The high stakes and meaning in sports like football are derived from the inherent physical risk, similar to mountain climbing. While fans don't want to see injuries, removing the danger would diminish the perceived achievement and emotional weight of the game for the audience.
Making a product more accessible may boost short-term popularity and revenue. However, this often involves changing the very qualities that the most dedicated fans love, leading to long-term decline as the passionate, loyal base erodes.
A nemesis is a competitor who pushes you and is often similar to you; you might even share a drink with them. An arch-enemy, however, is someone whose very existence is a threat to you. We can have many nemeses, but should only have one arch-enemy.
Contrary to the belief that those with "skin in the game" have the most valid perspective, deep emotional investment can cloud judgment. To make a truly ethical decision, one must be emotionally distanced from the situation to weigh all sides objectively.
While self-awareness helps navigate immediate social and professional situations effectively, it can also lead to existential dread. Realizing the impermanence and relative insignificance of your achievements can undermine long-term contentment, creating a home that will never feel like home.
An ethics columnist discovered that readers were most engaged by clear-cut cases where a person could be aggressively blamed. The desire for a satisfying "takedown" and moral clarity often outweighs the appetite for complex, nuanced ethical exploration in public discourse.
Despite having only 11 minutes of action in a three-hour broadcast, football is a TV juggernaut. Its constant stoppages are not a bug, but a feature that aligns with our subconscious desire for entertainment that is paced, rather than a non-stop assault on the senses.