Ethics of Sports: What Are We Really Chearing For?
🔍 Key insights
Modern sport is shaped by spectacle, not tradition – From influencer-driven events to $1M jiu-jitsu prizes, we're optimizing for attention, not structure.
The real competition isn’t on the field, it’s for your gaze – What gets views decides what survives. That creates pressure to be faster, flashier, and more extreme.
The ethical paradox of sports – We celebrate violent knockouts but condemn chemical enhancement. Why are we okay with pain, but not with performance?
📚 Go deeper
🎥 Related videos:
How Red Bull Became the Official Drink of Extreme Sports – Explores how Red Bull transformed from a simple energy drink into a dominant force in extreme sports.
The dark side of the UFC | Four Corners Documentary – In-depth look into the UFC, highlighting issues such as fighter exploitation, health risks, and the commercialization of the sport.
The Impact of Social Media on Pro Athletes – Delves into how social media platforms influence professional athletes’ lives, both positively and negatively.
📖 Further reading:
The Ethics of Sport by Robert L. Simon – A foundational look at fairness, enhancement, and the meaning of competition.
Homo Ludens by Johan Huizinga – Explores play as a fundamental aspect of human culture, raising timeless questions about why we compete in the first place.
💡 Think for Yourself
Would I push my body to its limits if I knew the audience demanded more?
Do I watch for skill — or for something more primal, like risk and pain?
☁️ Thought Experiment
Imagine a future where sports split in two: one league enforces strict bans on enhancement, the other allows full chemical optimization. Which one do you watch on Sunday night?
Cheers,
Kevin