Quod Scripsi, Scripsi http://quodscripsi.net Games, Faith, Technology - probably in that order. Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:06:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Role Models http://quodscripsi.net/2010/04/08/role-models/ http://quodscripsi.net/2010/04/08/role-models/#comments Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:06:49 +0000 mjscott http://quodscripsi.net/?p=125 Tom Meyer is the president of a company called Davie Brown Entertainment, in L.A. They poll focus groups to determine the value of sports stars as “brands”. Meyer was quoted in a BBC News article about the value of Tiger Woods’ brand as he’s returning to Golf; the article ends with a quote from Meyer:

“Unfortunately it’s going to make the general public very wary of who they consider their role models in the future. And I think that’s sad.”

I think it’s fantastic. The concept of a role model has been stretched and distorted. A person who models the role of athlete or businessman or politician well is not by necessity a good model for the role of father or husband or even human being in some cases. In the absence of moral guidance we point to celebrities and athletes and hope that by trying to be successful we will also somehow be good. Succeeding in the world has nothing to do with being good, kind, honest, compassionate or any of the things we often say we want to be.

In order for any of this to make sense there must also be a moral standard external to the model. I believe in an absolute moral standard, and I believe Tiger violated that standard. I don’t think he did it because he wanted to have an affair, I think he did it because he needed to numb the ache of an empty place in himself. That’s not an excuse, but it’s a different category of behavior. Tiger has said that golf was no longer fun, that living a lie was draining the life out of everything he did. That was the moment that I believed he really got it.

Tiger is not just a good golfer. He is in a separate category. This list is amazing. Then you have to remember that he’s literally in the middle of his prime, with 15 or so more years to play on the pro tour if he wants to. Tiger is a model for the role of Professional Golfer. He needs to be a better man for himself and his family, and because life in the spotlight requires an awareness of the impact of your behavior on those around you. But I’m glad he’s back, and I hope he is wiser for the experience.

Share ]]> http://quodscripsi.net/2010/04/08/role-models/feed/ 0 Things I learned from M*A*S*H http://quodscripsi.net/2010/04/01/things-i-learned-from-mash/ http://quodscripsi.net/2010/04/01/things-i-learned-from-mash/#comments Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:40:15 +0000 mjscott http://quodscripsi.net/?p=84
  • Friends can be your family, especially in difficult times.
  • A quick wit can save your life, and improve it.
  • A quick wit without a filter can cause more damage than a weapon.
  • Make the best of it.
  • Homemade hooch is awful stuff.
  • Strange people, broken people, slightly crazy people make the best companions.
  • Sooner or later, everyone reaches their limit.
  • Escapism may keep you sane, but it won’t make you happy.
  • Respect should be earned and paid, not demanded and surrendered.
  • One line, from a thirty year old television show, can still make me tear up. “Lt. Colonel Henry Blake’s plane…”
  • I wanted to be Hawkeye. Even after I watched Hawkeye not want to be Hawkeye. I still do.
  • It’s possible to play the piano with one hand, and play it beautifully.
  • There are always consequences. Always.
  • I can’t end racism or sexism or snobbery, but I don’t have to tolerate them either.
  • I might be the racist, sexist snob, so listen when friends speak up.
    • Share ]]>     http://quodscripsi.net/2010/04/01/things-i-learned-from-mash/feed/ 0     Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-28 http://quodscripsi.net/2010/03/28/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-03-28/ http://quodscripsi.net/2010/03/28/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-03-28/#comments Sun, 28 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0000 mjscott http://quodscripsi.net/2010/03/28/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-03-28/
  • Writing a median function in MySQL. Not fun. #
  • My son digs Burnout Paradise http://plurk.com/p/4bayjb #
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  • wonders if he can send Plurks/Tweets/FB Statuses to a an archive on a WordPress Blog? http://plurk.com/p/486dr9 #
  • thinks IT support is an excellent method of spiritual discipline. Like fasting at a BBQ. http://plurk.com/p/488bfz #
  • Quantum Theory has always fascinated me, but I've never really bought into quantum computing. Then again…htt… http://plurk.com/p/48dl0c #
  • @hutmark Yep, found it. Pretty cool. in reply to hutmark #

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    Share ]]>     http://quodscripsi.net/2010/03/22/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-03-22/feed/ 0     Religion and Politics http://quodscripsi.net/2009/12/08/religion-and-politics/ http://quodscripsi.net/2009/12/08/religion-and-politics/#comments Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:44:41 +0000 mjscott http://quodscripsi.net/?p=61 It occurred to me today, while pondering further some of the salvos being fired in the Health Care “debate”, that Jesus was crucified by a majority vote in a two-party system. I really think Democracy in the West has given western Christians a false sense of power and control. Rome was a republic, but Paul did not go there to run for the Senate. When Christians vote and win, they practically declare a Theocracy. When the “wrong” candidate wins, you’d think they were using us as torches in the Rose Garden. It seems like a most excellent distraction from the things we were told actually matter. ”I was hungry…I was thirsty…”

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