I love the concept of carpet ball; everyone can win and past champions can be beat; there is little skill needed, only persistence and a good strong arm; but even the arm is not that important.
The activity is an equalizer; a 3 year old can compete against adults and adults can play with their kids; and both will enjoy the activity. There isn't many games that will please all people; basketball and baseball takes talent; with carpet ball, you just show up to the table and play; if you lose one game, you fall back in line and try again until you are anointed champion for the minute or for the hour.
I have watched educated grown men who are full of profound thoughts spend an hour at throwing pool balls back and forth; no thoughts, no efforts, no issues: only simple competition that should drive everyone.
I like competition; I am not afraid of competition. Our culture wants to eliminate it; they want everyone to be the recipients of blue ribbons; in the name of self esteem... they make everyone the champion in schools. My grand daughter came home with a medal the other day for reading progress; her mother said, "Everyone got the medal!" Wow! That must mean everyone is reading at an accelerated rate... but I doubt it.
Through healthy competition, the cream rises to the top; the best gets recognized and rewarded; hard work is rewarded; the sloven and lazy get nothing. We lost it as a nation in the 60's when we started handing out checks to those who didn't want to work; within 40 years we now have a nation full of people who feel entitled to something free without any effort. They have learned the system and they work it with the skill of a surgeon; they know what to do to claim disability payments and line up for the next hand out.
Let's apply the carpet ball principle to our culture; everyone is equal, but only those who stick with it and apply themselves wins. If you are too lazy to throw the ball, don't expect to rise to the top and become the camp champion; or the best reader in the class; or the best counselor; or the best car salesman! I am not big on whiners, but doers.
Now get out there and start throwing the pool balls!
The activity is an equalizer; a 3 year old can compete against adults and adults can play with their kids; and both will enjoy the activity. There isn't many games that will please all people; basketball and baseball takes talent; with carpet ball, you just show up to the table and play; if you lose one game, you fall back in line and try again until you are anointed champion for the minute or for the hour.
I have watched educated grown men who are full of profound thoughts spend an hour at throwing pool balls back and forth; no thoughts, no efforts, no issues: only simple competition that should drive everyone.
I like competition; I am not afraid of competition. Our culture wants to eliminate it; they want everyone to be the recipients of blue ribbons; in the name of self esteem... they make everyone the champion in schools. My grand daughter came home with a medal the other day for reading progress; her mother said, "Everyone got the medal!" Wow! That must mean everyone is reading at an accelerated rate... but I doubt it.
Through healthy competition, the cream rises to the top; the best gets recognized and rewarded; hard work is rewarded; the sloven and lazy get nothing. We lost it as a nation in the 60's when we started handing out checks to those who didn't want to work; within 40 years we now have a nation full of people who feel entitled to something free without any effort. They have learned the system and they work it with the skill of a surgeon; they know what to do to claim disability payments and line up for the next hand out.
Let's apply the carpet ball principle to our culture; everyone is equal, but only those who stick with it and apply themselves wins. If you are too lazy to throw the ball, don't expect to rise to the top and become the camp champion; or the best reader in the class; or the best counselor; or the best car salesman! I am not big on whiners, but doers.
Now get out there and start throwing the pool balls!
earldtaylor@yahoo.com
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