http://simonwillison.net/2020-10-19T15:09:18+00:00Simon Willison2020-10-19T15:09:18+00:002020-10-19T15:09:18+00:00https://simonwillison.net/2020/Oct/19/ruth-s-barrett/#atom-tag

<blockquote cite="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/11/squash-lacrosse-niche-sports-ivy-league-admissions/616474/"><p>The stampede of the affluent into grim-faced, highly competitive sports has been a tragicomedy of perverse incentives and social evolution in unequal times: a Darwinian parable of the mayhem that can ensue following the discovery of even a minor advantage. Like a peacock rendered nearly flightless by gaudy tail feathers, the overserved athlete is the product of a process that has become maladaptive, and is now harming the very blue-chip demographic it was supposed to help.</p></blockquote> <p class="cite">&mdash; <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/11/squash-lacrosse-niche-sports-ivy-league-admissions/616474/">Ruth S. Barrett</a></p> <p>Tags: <a href="https://simonwillison.net/tags/sports">sports</a></p>

2013-08-04T14:26:00+00:002013-08-04T14:26:00+00:00https://simonwillison.net/2013/Aug/4/what-are-the-most/#atom-tag

<p><em>My answer to <a href="https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-most-exciting-sporting-events-in-the-world/answer/Simon-Willison">What are the most exciting sporting events in the world?</a> on Quora</em></p> <p>That's easy... The Mongolian Golden Eagle Hunting Festival, held every October.</p> <div><img src="https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-49f222f9c95b27545b4fbd35de4363fd-c" width="500" height="338" style="max-width: 100%" /></div><br />What do they hunt? Wolves! <div><img src="https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-269b1e7124189e919187b562eef4956e-c" width="624" height="310" style="max-width: 100%" /></div><br /><span><a href="http://m.travel.cnn.com/ireport/ireport-eagle-hunters-mongolia-880476">http://m.travel.cnn.com/ireport/...</a></span> <p>Tags: <a href="https://simonwillison.net/tags/events">events</a>, <a href="https://simonwillison.net/tags/quora">quora</a>, <a href="https://simonwillison.net/tags/sports">sports</a></p>

2013-01-02T15:33:00+00:002013-01-02T15:33:00+00:00https://simonwillison.net/2013/Jan/2/does-it-cost-tax/#atom-tag

<p><em>My answer to <a href="https://www.quora.com/Does-it-cost-tax-payers-when-sporting-events-have-military-jets-fly-over-the-stadiums/answer/Simon-Willison">Does it cost tax payers when sporting events have military jets fly over the stadiums?</a> on Quora</em></p> <p>According to <span><a href="http://science.howstuffworks.com/military-flyover.htm">HowStuffWorks "How Military Flyovers Work</a></span> the cost is mostly paid for by various branches of the US military - they approve around 850 flyovers a year, and the cost comes out of their training budget. Event organisers sometimes have to pay for lodging, meals and transportation.</p> <p>Tags: <a href="https://simonwillison.net/tags/events">events</a>, <a href="https://simonwillison.net/tags/quora">quora</a>, <a href="https://simonwillison.net/tags/sports">sports</a></p>

2012-08-01T10:02:00+00:002012-08-01T10:02:00+00:00https://simonwillison.net/2012/Aug/1/why-should-i-care/#atom-tag

<p><em>My answer to <a href="https://www.quora.com/Why-should-I-care-about-the-Olympics/answer/Simon-Willison">Why should I care about the Olympics?</a> on Quora</em></p> <p>The sponsors, money and so on make it easy to forget the key thing: many of the athletes competing are still teenagers who have spent most of their lives preparing for this one event. That's pretty amazing.</p> <p>Tags: <a href="https://simonwillison.net/tags/events">events</a>, <a href="https://simonwillison.net/tags/quora">quora</a>, <a href="https://simonwillison.net/tags/sports">sports</a></p>