Comments on: Olympians score Internet kiddie-chat perk http://stilgherrian.com/human-nature/olympic_kiddie_chat/ All publication is a political act. All communication is propaganda. All art is pornography. All business is personal. All hail Eris. Vive le poisson rouge sauvages! Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:40:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Stilgherrian http://stilgherrian.com/human-nature/olympic_kiddie_chat/#comment-11081 Stilgherrian Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:43:46 +0000 http://stilgherrian.com/human-nature/olympic_kiddie_chat/#comment-11081 For me the AIS isn't so much <em>Gattaca</em> as some sort of weird factory for making well-muscled and well-coordinated Ken and Barbie doll Übermenschen. (Presumable someone will tell me they're trademarked names. Of <em>course</em> they are, that's why we all know them.) Sport has become international war by proxy. I know that part of the training is about doing media. But I think it's unnatural for an athlete to be able to spiel off their own well-packaged self-analysis within 20 seconds of winning a race. Good heavens, people, let them catch their breath! And I reckon it'd be a lot more interesting if it wasn't the usual well-worn, well-rehearsed comments, but a heartfelt, "Man! I'm fuckin' stoked! That was awesome!" For me the AIS isn’t so much Gattaca as some sort of weird factory for making well-muscled and well-coordinated Ken and Barbie doll Übermenschen. (Presumable someone will tell me they’re trademarked names. Of course they are, that’s why we all know them.) Sport has become international war by proxy.

I know that part of the training is about doing media. But I think it’s unnatural for an athlete to be able to spiel off their own well-packaged self-analysis within 20 seconds of winning a race. Good heavens, people, let them catch their breath!

And I reckon it’d be a lot more interesting if it wasn’t the usual well-worn, well-rehearsed comments, but a heartfelt, “Man! I’m fuckin’ stoked! That was awesome!”

]]> By: Sweet Sister Morphine http://stilgherrian.com/human-nature/olympic_kiddie_chat/#comment-11078 Sweet Sister Morphine Wed, 27 Feb 2008 04:16:48 +0000 http://stilgherrian.com/human-nature/olympic_kiddie_chat/#comment-11078 @ Richard: I'm not so much creeped out by the AIS specifically, as the deification of professional athletes generally. @ Richard:

I’m not so much creeped out by the AIS specifically, as the deification of professional athletes generally.

]]> By: Richard http://stilgherrian.com/human-nature/olympic_kiddie_chat/#comment-11077 Richard Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:39:54 +0000 http://stilgherrian.com/human-nature/olympic_kiddie_chat/#comment-11077 Am I the only one that's totally creeped out by the Australian Institute of Sport? It's like something out of 'Gattaca'.... Am I the only one that’s totally creeped out by the Australian Institute of Sport? It’s like something out of ‘Gattaca’….

]]> By: Stilgherrian http://stilgherrian.com/human-nature/olympic_kiddie_chat/#comment-11060 Stilgherrian Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:35:26 +0000 http://stilgherrian.com/human-nature/olympic_kiddie_chat/#comment-11060 Maybe my experiences with Olympic athletes are atypical... Maybe my experiences with Olympic athletes are atypical…

]]> By: Snarky Platypus http://stilgherrian.com/human-nature/olympic_kiddie_chat/#comment-11057 Snarky Platypus Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:49:25 +0000 http://stilgherrian.com/human-nature/olympic_kiddie_chat/#comment-11057 I think you've missed the mark on this one, Mr Stilgherrian (even on the snark level) - many kiddies idolise the Olympians; Wollongong property developers, not so much. I assume there will be appropriate monitoring. From experience, communicating with athletes isn't the most stimulating of activities once the "OMG it's xxx" thing is over. However, I guess the "OMG it's xxx" thing is usually enough for the kiddies. I think you’ve missed the mark on this one, Mr Stilgherrian (even on the snark level) - many kiddies idolise the Olympians; Wollongong property developers, not so much. I assume there will be appropriate monitoring.

From experience, communicating with athletes isn’t the most stimulating of activities once the “OMG it’s xxx” thing is over. However, I guess the “OMG it’s xxx” thing is usually enough for the kiddies.

]]> By: Nick Hodge http://stilgherrian.com/human-nature/olympic_kiddie_chat/#comment-11055 Nick Hodge Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:36:54 +0000 http://stilgherrian.com/human-nature/olympic_kiddie_chat/#comment-11055 I am more worried about sports-psychology speak infiltrating our young-uns "Yes, I was tired in the heats, but my training got me through to the finals. I'd like to thank my mum, god..." I am more worried about sports-psychology speak infiltrating our young-uns

“Yes, I was tired in the heats, but my training got me through to the finals. I’d like to thank my mum, god…”

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