After years of consideration, I have yet to comprehend what meaningful distinction might exist between “winning is everything” and “winning is the only thing.” The phrase Coach Hacker quotes sounds like the sort of thing that, had Yogi Berra said it, would be endlessly quoted and laughed at, rather than endlessly quoted as an inspiration. What am I missing?
The definition of what you are playing and “winning” at is also important. For example, consider going for a walk (more than one person), or having a picnic or pot-luck meal; who “wins” at that activity? If it’s a nice walk, or a good meal, and most importantly a nice / fun time, EVERYBODY INVOLVED wins. Even in sports, consider a practice session or a team scrimmage: the defense typically doesn’t get to score, so keeping score isn’t even the point; as long as everybody has a good workout and improves on their skills, EVERYBODY wins. I wish phys ed teachers spent more time thinking up group challenges that have opportunities for everyone to have a role in a group victory, instead of elimination games that separate everyone into winners and bystanders and losers. Note that I’m not talking about silly “awards for participation”; I’m talking about ranges of roles for ranges of abilities (in circus-skill / gymnastic terms, think “bases” and “flyers” and “catchers”) so that there’s a place for each person to use their talents and test their limits.
It is called competition. If it is sport, ultimately it really doesn’t matter all that much (unless it is your livelihood)In life, it matters greatly. (Unless you expect everyone else to take care of you )
I can see where this is going. coach hackers mind is not open up to get this concept. I like Caufield’s thinking, everything in life doesn’t have to be a competition somethings you can actually sit back and enjoy
We’re all familiar with onomatopoeia, right? That’s when a word sounds kind of like what it’s describing, like “squish” or “splat.” Or “buzz.” They don’t all have to be messy.
I think there should be a category called “Lombardic” for phrases that sound super duper profound but, if you think about them too much, don’t mean anything. I’m thinking here of what’s probably Lombardi’s best-known, most-repeated quotation, the one you knew before I repeated it here. How is the only thing better than everything? How is it even any different? If you have only one thing, then it’s everything you have.
I will give it faint credit as a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you really do believe winning is everything, then pretty soon it WILL seem like the only thing, because finding other human beings who want to be in the same room with your insufferable self to share any other thing will not be a thing.
gammaguy almost 7 years ago
Vince was a very poplar football coach.
Alexander Batey almost 7 years ago
Who regretted saying that.
sandpiper almost 7 years ago
Vince might have done more for sportsmanship had he been the one to say,
‘. . .not that you won or lost,
But HOW you played the Game.’ =
Grantland Rice (1880-1954) sportwriter
The Brooklyn Accent almost 7 years ago
After years of consideration, I have yet to comprehend what meaningful distinction might exist between “winning is everything” and “winning is the only thing.” The phrase Coach Hacker quotes sounds like the sort of thing that, had Yogi Berra said it, would be endlessly quoted and laughed at, rather than endlessly quoted as an inspiration. What am I missing?
DutchUncle almost 7 years ago
The definition of what you are playing and “winning” at is also important. For example, consider going for a walk (more than one person), or having a picnic or pot-luck meal; who “wins” at that activity? If it’s a nice walk, or a good meal, and most importantly a nice / fun time, EVERYBODY INVOLVED wins. Even in sports, consider a practice session or a team scrimmage: the defense typically doesn’t get to score, so keeping score isn’t even the point; as long as everybody has a good workout and improves on their skills, EVERYBODY wins. I wish phys ed teachers spent more time thinking up group challenges that have opportunities for everyone to have a role in a group victory, instead of elimination games that separate everyone into winners and bystanders and losers. Note that I’m not talking about silly “awards for participation”; I’m talking about ranges of roles for ranges of abilities (in circus-skill / gymnastic terms, think “bases” and “flyers” and “catchers”) so that there’s a place for each person to use their talents and test their limits.
Robert Nowall Premium Member almost 7 years ago
“Winning isn’t everything. But losing isn’t anything!” —-Charlie Brown.
Chaze Premium Member almost 7 years ago
Geez, I hate that kid.
whiteheron almost 7 years ago
It is called competition. If it is sport, ultimately it really doesn’t matter all that much (unless it is your livelihood)In life, it matters greatly. (Unless you expect everyone else to take care of you )
The Legend of Brandon Sawyer Premium Member almost 7 years ago
I can see where this is going. coach hackers mind is not open up to get this concept. I like Caufield’s thinking, everything in life doesn’t have to be a competition somethings you can actually sit back and enjoy
El-Kabong almost 7 years ago
Mallett: Dust.
sandpiper almost 7 years ago
And Caulfield just chalked up a win.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] almost 7 years ago
Frazz19 hrs ·
We’re all familiar with onomatopoeia, right? That’s when a word sounds kind of like what it’s describing, like “squish” or “splat.” Or “buzz.” They don’t all have to be messy.
I think there should be a category called “Lombardic” for phrases that sound super duper profound but, if you think about them too much, don’t mean anything. I’m thinking here of what’s probably Lombardi’s best-known, most-repeated quotation, the one you knew before I repeated it here. How is the only thing better than everything? How is it even any different? If you have only one thing, then it’s everything you have.
I will give it faint credit as a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you really do believe winning is everything, then pretty soon it WILL seem like the only thing, because finding other human beings who want to be in the same room with your insufferable self to share any other thing will not be a thing.
doctorwho29 almost 7 years ago
Caulfield is right. Not everything has to be a competition.