We humans are physically so unequal, that things like the Olympics or World Cups, where all kinds of humans compete with each other in any single game, do not seem to make much sense. Europeans and Americans are so tall and strong, that in most sports, Asians cannot compete with them at all, i.e., have very few who are capable of competing. No wonder that in games like basket ball, football, swimming and athletics, we hardly have any presence. Yet we never respectfully recognize our natural weakness and stop blaming other things for our failure. The same applies to contests of appearance, where some sections of the world are disadvantaged. And in arranged marriage, where bald men and black women have tough time.
Of course with time every section of people would focus on its respective area of comparative advantage, and not bother about the area it's not so capable of. But what really sucks at a micro level (not at macro, coz macro is a zone of emotional neutrality), is not being able to compete in every area one wants to, just coz nature has screwed him/her in some quality and plentily gifted it to people in another gang.
I am convinced that this problem cannot be solved by positive discrimination. Then how can it be solved? Is it really a problem?
Of course with time every section of people would focus on its respective area of comparative advantage, and not bother about the area it's not so capable of. But what really sucks at a micro level (not at macro, coz macro is a zone of emotional neutrality), is not being able to compete in every area one wants to, just coz nature has screwed him/her in some quality and plentily gifted it to people in another gang.
I am convinced that this problem cannot be solved by positive discrimination. Then how can it be solved? Is it really a problem?
Can there be any solution for it? Does this mean there should be separate categories for Asians, Africans, European etc.? If so, then there is no end for categorization. (We will end up something like our great Indian chaotic system of ‘quota within quota’). Also if so, if Chinese and Indian are competing, why Indian is not making any impression even though he looks better in stature?? Would guess the early training, better preparations, mental toughness etc. also matter.
ReplyDeleteAgree that a taller man has a bit of advantage, for example, in a sport like Basket Ball for the purpose of shooting. But the final shooting is NOT the only requirement for that sport. Can’t a smaller man with more agility and spring up skills (monkey like – compare a smaller tribes of monkeys to that of a Gorilla!) be more than a match for a taller man? Nature has given different skills for different categories of people so that lack of one skill can be compensated with the abundance of the other; after all different skills and the coordination of all of them to optimum use is the secret of success.
On the other hand, starving countries like Ethiopia and Kenya produce excellent long distance runners. In that case, its not only in the genes but also in the life style. They have to run for anything and everything from childhood, be it for schooling or fetching daily water. Of course gene composition plays a role, for example in 100 metres run. But even here, watch out for Chinese in future before jumping to final conclusion.
Why not a country like India which has rich tradition of Yoga and Meditation and had once the unmatchable Arjuna in their line up lacking behind even in Archery? The need of the hour is ‘one has to play to one’s own strength but not try to copy or emulate others’. The logic is if India plays Cricket, anywhere and in any format – play always two spinners? The law of average in success rate will be in our favour in the long run. That’s all about it? If two spinners can be played in T20 bowling in tandem and also one of them can even open the attack with the same degree of success (if not more!) as of a speedster even up to semi final of the world cup, then why not play both in the final too?