I have put together a short poem that looks at our obsession with sport stars as opposed to some of the ground breaking scientists over the ages – beginning in ancient Greece with Milo and Pythagoras (nothing has changed much in the last 3000 years).
I find it amusing that a lot of people (myself included) are more excited by the exploits of sportsmen than those of scientists. It’s just poking a bit of fun at that.
My poetry has appeared in about 30 Australian publications over the years, but truth be known, I’m first and foremost a sports nut.
The Sportsman or the Scientist?
The Sportsman or the Scientist:
who do we revere?
Milo or Pythagoras:
which one do we cheer?
Newton or DiMaggio:
which one got the girl?
Edison or Baggio:
who lit up the world?
Darwin’s worm or Tiger’s club:
which one do we prize?
Einstein’s rule or Ali’s glove:
which one makes us wise?
The Sportsman or the Scientist:
Who inspires us most?
Pele or Copernicus:
Who do we all toast?
Roger’s slice and Bradman’s whites,
and Michael Jordan’s leap
seem to set our youth alight,
but science makes them sleep.
How have we rewarded them
since the days of old?
A sportsman wins a trophy;
a scientist wins a scroll.
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Michael Green said | February 8th 2010 @ 10:23am | Report comment
Well written, love it!
As a career scientist and a sports nut I can relate to this debate.
Love the “Milo or Pythagoras” link!
Here is where Science helped the sportsman out and vice versa!
Brett McKay said | February 8th 2010 @ 10:46am | Report comment
this is certainly an interesting twist on the normal discussions on The Roar!!
Good stuff Damian, more of it
Kersi Meher-Homji said | February 8th 2010 @ 11:15am | Report comment
Damian,
Being a research Virologist (retired) and an ambitious but talentless sportsman, I enjoyed your poem.
The reason sportsmen are breaking records is because of scientists. Also, it is medical research which is behind the increase in life expectancy.
Keep on rhyming.
vinay verma said | February 8th 2010 @ 12:34pm | Report comment
Damian,pleasing to see some Poetry. My mentor once said ” Poetry is not to be critiqued. You react and it leaves an impression. Once written it does not belong to you anymore.”
I wrote 40 years ago: leave Euclid digging his navel / i want you to go deep-sea diving / try Pegasus try / sweat the pores of the sun.
The science behind the sport only enhances it…unless you cheat and take drugs.
Zac Zavos said | February 8th 2010 @ 1:46pm | Report comment
Vinay – perhaps you could share some of your own poetry on The Roar – any which has a sporting flavour?
Dogz R Barkn said | February 8th 2010 @ 1:08pm | Report comment
Expecting a Westy to read poetry on a sports site!!
What next?? Virtual tours of art museums up on the big screen as part of the pre-game entertainment??!!
What about the Three Tenors for the grand final??!!
Well done!!
Dogz R Barkn said | February 8th 2010 @ 1:19pm | Report comment
AS some have mentioned, modern day sports people have much to thank their sports scientists on the their current level of performance and overall well being.
Perhaps the day is not too far off, where a sporsperson will commence their acceptance speech for a major individual award: First and foremost, let me get to the nub of the matter, I would not be here if it were not for my proctologist…
Darrell Cruse said | February 8th 2010 @ 1:34pm | Report comment
Great work Damian,
A very different perspective on sports science!
Michael C said | February 8th 2010 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
My wife watched the ground breaking scientists – - well, neuro surgeons – - at work on the Trishna/Krishna special whilst I watched the cricket,
is that a household nil all draw??
however, I did watch the odd minute here and there – and perhaps what’s missing in the ‘science’ coverage is an actual lack of science,
well, statistical science that is,
where was a rundown on sucher efficiency?
where was the neuro-surgeons ‘heart rate monitor’?
where was the sucher thread ‘worm’ of cm’s used vs time progressed?
where was music accompanying the next surgeon off the ‘bench’ and into the theatre?
and, where was the crowd interaction (or just ‘action’ – - – not a Mexican wave to be seen)
and,
the absolute gimme on this topic,
the cricket was live to air,
the ‘science’ was a cut down highlights package from an event months earlier with an outcome that we all already knew…….
Science broadcasters have to get their act together, and perhaps before the Govt amends anti siphoning legislation!!!!
DaMan3000 said | February 9th 2010 @ 8:38am | Report comment
That had me in chuckles! Great analysis!
vinay verma said | February 11th 2010 @ 8:12am | Report comment
Michael C,talking of surgeons,I have Michael Ward,as proficient with his cutting as Greg Chappell and Ranjitsinjhi,to thank for being alive and well. He asked me during a stent procedure if there was any particular music I preferred. I said anything but Wooden Heart and he proceeded with Pavarotti’s rendition of Donezetti’s, The Elixir of Love.
Footbal Person said | February 8th 2010 @ 3:19pm | Report comment
Sweet… i own at poetry
vinay verma said | February 9th 2010 @ 8:24am | Report comment
JUST A GLANCE
That’s all it took
Just one look,
And I was seduced
The batsman forward.
The wrists dropped,
The ball reared and
The eyes moved up with the hands
Body tensing untensing
Receiving and giving,
As the bowler stopped mid pitch
Appeal strangled and reduced
At first to despair
And then, grudgingly, awe
It was but a glance
But it remains etched
For those that saw.
Vinay Verma,
MyGeneration said | February 10th 2010 @ 6:48am | Report comment
nice, Vinay