From: markham@brtph600.bnr.ca (Andrew Markham P205)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro
Subject: Re: Selfish
Date: 7 Oct 92 17:15:28 GMT
Organization: Bell Northern Research Inc.

In article <1992Oct7.153646.4753@viewlogic.com> tim@kudzu.viewlogic.com (Tim Foster) writes:
>
>In article <1992Oct7.014555.20744@cs.ucla.edu>, lange@lanai.cs.ucla.edu (Trent Lange) writes:
>|> In article <1992Oct6.183156.27896@viewlogic.com> tim@kudzu.viewlogic.com (Tim Foster) writes:
>|> >
>|> >[...]  However, my comments were solely on Magic's selfishness to
>|> >continue to play the game, even though he is endangering his peers.
>|> >If others know they have the virus and continue to play the game
>|> >and endanger their peers, I feel the same way about them.
>|> >
>|> >Tim Foster 
>|> 
>|> "However, my comments were solely on my own selfishness to
>|> continue to drive my car, even though I am endangering my peers.
>|> If others know they might cause accidents and continue to drive
>|> and endanger their peers, I feel the same way about them."
>|> 
>|> "This is especially true since I'm not a complete ignoramus like other
>|> people, and think that HIV is easier to transmit in a basketball game
>|> than a car accident is to happen while driving."
>|> 
>|> - Trent Lange

Very well said, Trent.  I thought this was a classic.

>Clever, very clever.  I guess this falls under the argument of
>what is a necessity and what is a desire or want.  In my opinion,
>Magic playing basketball is not a need, it is a desire.  If it
>was necessary for him to continue to play basketball to live a 
>normal life, then the story would be different.  However, there
>are many former basketball players who lead very normal lives 
>after they retire.  Why would Magic be any different?
>
>As far as driving a car, it is a "necessary evil".  If Magic or 
>anyone else would have to stop riding in a car, or any other 
>form of equally dangerous transportation, their ability to 
>live a normal life would be severely hampered.

Granted your life would become slightly more inconvenienced, but to say
it would severely hamper living a normal life is going a bit far.
I would guess you know very few people that don't own a car, but a
LOT of people in the lower class don't have their own car and STILL live
normal lives (can you IMAGINE that).  They simply take a bus, call a cab,
catch a ride, etc.. when it is necessary for them to go somewhere.  

When I was with Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Atlanta, my 'little brother'
lived in a housing project that was home to some roughly 300 plus people
and there couldn't have been more than 15 cars parked around it on an
average day/weekend.  Surprisingly enough, they seemed to have normal
lives.

The difference between Magic and 'many former basketball players' is that 
Magic neither wants, nor needs to retire.  His game has not lost a step 
and it is what he loves to do.  Sure Magic could stop playing and live a 
normal life, but by the same token you could sell your car and start riding 
your bike/taking the bus/calling cabs and live a normal life.  Do you plan 
on doing so?  I doubt it.  If not then it is likely because you are selfish.

How does it feel hypocrite.

-- 
Andrew W. Markham (markham@bnr.ca)
Bell Northern Research, Inc.