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After world events are starting to settle down somewhat, I admit that I prefer sport over poilitcs anyday.

That is probably the Australian consensus on things. I think we even regard countries that dont perform as well as we do as so-so.

Who really wants a nobel prize, give me a gold medal instead!!

Who else agrees, disagrees.

Personally prefer politics.
Nobel peace prize hell ya.
Nothing better than that.
However politics and sports should never be mixed.

Sports, politics and the Nobel prize represents totally different aspects of society and life to me. I can't say I prefer one over the other since I don't really find them comparable.

Science is my job, I work with some of the people in the current Noble committee (the people who decide what scientific discoveries are going to be awarded) and I like the Nobel prize because it gives science some focus in media etc which is good, and I also like it because it draws attention to the research areas that are awarded.

Politics is about how our society is organised, and I can't think anything else than that this is of extremely high importance. I don't think it's fun, but the importance of it for me and for everybody makes it impossible not to care about.

Sports, that entertainment to me, both to watch and do myself. I view it as a cultural expression, but I can't say watching sports has any meaning to me, it's just for fun and relaxation, it's always nice to see people perform well in whatever they are doing - art, handicraft, sports or other areas. The sport activities I do myself are for recreation, fun and to keep fit and healthy.

I do agree with CM that sports and politics should not be mixed.

Well if Australia doesn't stop winning in cricket i think we can declare war on them. And then South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Well the aussies frankly need their butts kicked for double standards and their attitude.
I think sportsmanship is something their cricket team has not heard of.

SL?
nah they are our bunnies.

Sa well we will have to see.
We recently beat them in Sharjah.
Yippee!

Aussies have double standards? (winners are grinners)


C,mon sport offers Emotion and inspiration which is not easily found in science, politics etc. Who wants war for these things?

If we knew more about sport we would know more about the body. This could start to make medical science a little obsolete in that it would prevent illness from happening (except in rare cases).

Our ancestors did not have hard lives so we could now sit at desks a lot. Is this a great cultural step forward?

How many scientists made you laugh, inspire you emotionally, were socially outgoing, fun to be around? There is a great human contradiction here placing sport as a low ideal compared to politics , science.

Originally posted by at99
C,mon sport offers Emotion and inspiration which is not easily found in science, politics etc. Who wants war for these things?

What do you mean "Who wants war for these things?"? Emotion and inspiration found in politics, science or sports are all so different. So are in art, religion, literature, food, etc. You may not find inspiration or emotion in politics or science, but there are many people who do. If you can find inspiration and emotion *only* from sports, I say you are having such a sad life.

If we knew more about sport we would know more about the body. This could start to make medical science a little obsolete in that it would prevent illness from happening (except in rare cases).

Hello? You are not serious that any sportsmen/women don't care about science, are you? Have you ever heard about "sports science"? None top sportsmen/women win in any sports without science now.

Our ancestors did not have hard lives so we could now sit at desks a lot. Is this a great cultural step forward?

That's nothing to do with sports, isn't it? I don't see your logic here either.

How many scientists made you laugh, inspire you emotionally, were socially outgoing, fun to be around? There is a great human contradiction here placing sport as a low ideal compared to politics , science.

Again, you seem to have very small life. How many scientists do you know? Or, have you ever heard any political speech? New discovery of a planet few million light years away is fascinating. And politics can be a good laugh. I watched news program all night a few years ago to see the conclusion of Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland. I have nothing to do with N Ireland personally, still it was really emotional and exciting time, and inspiration to the people who live in the difficult region for years.

Originally posted by CM
Well the aussies frankly need their butts kicked for double standards and their attitude.
I think sportsmanship is something their cricket team has not heard of.

Why is the imfamous move called the Mankad, called the Mankad? What about the 'bodyline' series? I don't think Australia has a monopoly on bad sportsmanship in cricket.

That being said, Here is a quote from an Australian Football(Rugby League) coach "Football isn't a matter of life and death, it's MUCH more important than that!'. - Curdis !

Curdis it was in reference to the cricket team that they need to check their double standards.
Not in reference to all aussie teams.
Mankad?
Never heard of it, can you please give more info?

And don't get me started on the british cricket team!!
Half the team isn't even british, they are from new zealand or SA or Zimbabwe.

That rugby coach must have also been to pakistan.
People are ready to go to war over a bad umpiring decision!

Originally posted by at99
C,mon sport offers Emotion and inspiration which is not easily found in science, politics etc. Who wants war for these things?

I don't want a war for anything. Emotion and inspiration requires me to engage in something, to care about it. I can honestly say I care a lot less about people winning sports events than I care about science and politics. Sports isn't terribly important, it doesn't change the world, it doesn't make this a better place to live in.

If we knew more about sport we would know more about the body. This could start to make medical science a little obsolete in that it would prevent illness from happening (except in rare cases).

I'd be very keen on knowing how you imagine sports/exercise to prevent genetic diseases, degenerative diseases, cancer, virus- and bacteria diseases etc.

How many scientists made you laugh, inspire you emotionally, were socially outgoing, fun to be around?

A very strange question - do you believe scientists are more boring, less emotional and less outgoing than any other people? Well that's a total misconception. We're about 40 people at my lab, and I've never been to a workplace with so many funny, interesting and inspiring people. I get much more inspired when I hear that stem cells in the brain are found, or that a breakthrough for curing MS and Alzheimers is close, than I get by watching sports. Somebody winning the Olympics is really quite uninteresting compared to somebody finding a way to cure a severe disease.

Like Minerva, I wonder how many scientists and politicians you know? You seem to have a quite distorted picture of people with these professions.

Originally posted by CM
Mankad?
Never heard of it, can you please give more info?

Indian(?) bowler who completed his run up noted that the non-striker's bat was not over the line, and after completing his bowling action (but not releasing the ball) took of the bails at the bowlers end and appealed for the dismissal. It was given. While this is in the rules it had never been done before hence the name now. BTW in indoor cricket I am such a crap bowler it is my standard delivery .

In general - I personnally think the money that sports personalities are paid is out of all relation to reality. It is especially ironic when people then use the arguement that because people spend money on sport the money is available for sport and then come around with the raffle tickets for their kids hockey team! - Curdis !

This is meant to be a mostly light hearted topic .
Some of the more serious responses , I will deal with them another time.

Anyone think politics is more entertaining than sport.
.. you cannot be serious

Originally posted by at99
Anyone think politics is more entertaining than sport.
.. you cannot be serious

I suspect this depends on how you define politics. Is it just about political leaders? If so, let's consider--

When Lloyd George was in opposition in the British parliament and the Conservatives needed a crucial vote, they stole away one of the George's most prominent Liberals by promising him the position of governor-general over the territory covering modern Israel. George rose in Parliament in full wrath at this defection, and declared, "The Right Honorable member is well-paid for his treachery. He has been made the first Procurator of Palestine since Pontius Pilate."

William Howard Taft, President of the United States shortly after the turn of the 20th century, was once approached in a Gentlemen's Club by Chauncey Depew, a wealthy railroad executive who became a powerful senator, renowned for his acerbic tongue. Taft was obese--he was said to weigh over 300 pounds--and Depew said, in front of a group of people, "Expecting, Mr. President?" Taft was a soft-spoken, genial man, never known for his wit, but on this occasion, he replied, "Why, yes. If it's a boy, I shall name it William Howard Taft, Junior. And if it is a girl, I shall name it after my helpmeet for so many years, my wife. But if it is, as I suspect, nothing but a bag of wind, I shall name it Chauncey Depew."

Then there was Churchill, who once interrupted then-Prime Minister Clement Atlee to declare, "Poor fellow. He has a bad case of the files."

Nor should we forget French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau, who once said, "An honorable war is as much of a self-contradiction as military music," and "War is much too serious a matter to be entrusted to the military."

Maybe you're just looking at the wrong politicians--and the wrong events.

Originally posted by at99
C,mon sport offers Emotion and inspiration which is not easily found in science, politics etc. Who wants war for these things?

How many scientists made you laugh, inspire you emotionally, were socially outgoing, fun to be around? There is a great human contradiction here placing sport as a low ideal compared to politics , science.

I have to disagree. I find a lot of emotion and inspiration in science. Stephen Hawking's battle against Lou Gerig's(sp?) Disease is very inspirational. Einstein said some inspiring, and some funny, things as well. On the other hand, not one athlete has been much, if any, inspiration to me.

Imo, Sports are very unimportant compared to studying God's creation.

I don't like watching sports at all, except for figure skating and gymnastics. I have little to no interest in taking part in any sports. It is foolish to think that just because sports are important to you that sports should be just as important to everyone else, ne?

I do not care for politics either and try to avoid politics as much as possible. IMO, politics seems to just be the art of taking something that works somewhat and trying to make it work even less.

Originally posted by at99
This is meant to be a mostly light hearted topic .
Some of the more serious responses , I will deal with them another time.

Anyone think politics is more entertaining than sport.
.. you cannot be serious

I don't know for certain that this would be politics, but I find it a lot more fun to sit and read quotes of Will Rogers than watch a bunch of guys on TV throw/bat/hit a ball around, but then, I'd find it more fun to sit and read quotes of just about anyone than watch a bunch of guys on TV throw/bat/hit a ball around. That is mainly because of my lack of interest in sports, considering that I have a huge lack of interest in politics.

If we knew more about sport we would know more about the body. This could start to make medical science a little obsolete in that it would prevent illness from happening (except in rare cases).

My niece is taking a college major in physical therapy, with a concentration in sports-related injuries. I assure you, this kind of thing has existed for years.