What is Digg?60 Comments
- Filipp0, on 08/14/2008, -3/+35*****.
Olympics = entertainment. 866mil is just a VERY small portion of the money invested in the entertainment industry... And maybe this doesn't happen in the US, but in poorer countries, sports are an excellent way to get children off the streets and have a decent life. - Noein, on 08/14/2008, -5/+37Wasted? Yeah if you don't enjoy watching Olympics and don't take into account the amount of money Chinese are going to make from advertisement and tourism or the amount of jobs that have been created in the past 7 years to prepare for this event, I guess you would still be wrong.
- iconnor, on 08/14/2008, -2/+29We could save even more money if we all sat around and did nothing. But then what kind of life would that be?
- rufus5, on 08/14/2008, -2/+28I would hardly call it faux national pride. I think it is great for any country to see its citizens performing well on a global stage. Its one of the few things these days that remind us that we are proud of our country.
- v1c1ous, on 08/14/2008, -1/+25yeah ***** the Olympics. ***** sports. ***** outdoor activities. ***** anything that takes our mind away from the ***** grime of daily going ons.
Everyone should only wear gray, listen to economy reports, only discuss the bad state of EVERYTHING, and go to sleep with a frown. nobody should be enjoying themselves. - firebirdx01, on 08/14/2008, -2/+18What a dumb article written by a blatant sports hater. She makes academics seem snobbish.
1) 866 million is chump change to mega-companies and the use of that small amount is a great way to honor our athletes.
2) Who are you to decide that reading and writing are more important and less enjoyable than the training athletes go through? Their intense training is no different from what it takes to be a professional doctor or PhD academic, it rigorous and grueling, but in the end you push yourself so you can be above the crowd.
Buried. - loko27sl, on 08/14/2008, -1/+15I think she was always picked last in gym class.
- travis1982, on 08/14/2008, -1/+13Dumb article indeed. Hell, I'm from Canada..our country hasn't put a dime into our athletes training and it's obviously showing..ZERO medals. I love the Olympics, it's not just some track and field game, it's a world tradition over 2000 years old. For ***** sake people, have some pride for the human endeavors, if not for your country. Have pride that in this ***** up world, we have at least ONE tradition that brings ALL countries together. Anyone who says Olympics are a waste of time and money should be shot for their ignorance.
- justastatistic, on 08/14/2008, -3/+14I think this is one of the most pathetic cases of jealous journalism I've read in a long time. The author wants to cancel the Olympics which benefits millions of people around the world and divert the money to help people spell better? Hahahaha.
- ButtSmudge, on 08/14/2008, -1/+12Its not like the 800 million would be spend on poverty, literacy if it wasnt spend on the Olympics. Is she telling me that if there wasnt a Olympic, the 5 mill advertising Coca cola spends would otherwise go to a charity? Hell no, it would of been spend on advertising something else, concert, Nascar,etc. What a retard this author is.
- invinciblechunk, on 08/14/2008, -0/+9I'm no Olympics fan, but this article kind of sucks. Way to take two completely unrelated topics and turn it into kind of a meandering journalistic hike into a crevasse.
- 1337chic, on 08/14/2008, -0/+8This is just idiotic. Why show the world a peaceful competition where all sides root for each other and congratulate each other when we can hatefully demand that prosecutors learn to spell?
Does 866 million to teach people to spell seem a little more ridiculous than all the jobs and national recognition that comes out of the Olympics? - listrophy, on 08/14/2008, -0/+6Even the country doesn't matter all that much, as far as I'm concerned. These are some of the best-equipped bodies in our entire *species.* Sure, an archer can be fat, but they still have nerves of steel and muscles tuned better than the finest piano. Don't think of these people as the best in the world... The "in the world" modifier is over-used. These people are verifiably the best in human existence at what they do. What, pray tell, can Alice Miles do that is better than anyone else in the human race?
- warsongs7, on 08/14/2008, -1/+5I know. We should be working out how to spend less money to get people from all the different countries together and to end hostilities and call a truce, even if it is for 20 or so days and only in China.
Seeing athletes from Israel and Palestine and Georgia and Russia follow each other in the opening ceremony, I expected them to start attacking each other. But luckily they didn't and showed us that we can at least for a little while hold off the primal urge to destroy and dominate each other. - Callik, on 08/14/2008, -0/+4I read this in newspaper yesterday. Whiny spoilsport or what.
Unwittingly she also sound like every major politician at the moment. "Throw some more money at a problem and it's sure to go away!!!"
Bint. - askantik, on 08/14/2008, -0/+4Awesome!
- hughesj919, on 08/14/2008, -0/+4Yes, agreed. I ran track for four years at D-1 school, and I had a roommate/training partner from Zimbabwe, and I can tell you that running or sports in general are a way out for people from these less developed nations. I can tell you from firsthand expreience that they compete for a better life, which I would hardly call a bad thing.
- Kelmon, on 08/14/2008, -0/+4Buried. The Olympics have been awesome for the past week and I'm looking to forwards to the next week despite the certain knowledge that my country will win bugger all. After the Euro 2008 tournament and Wimbledon, this summer has had some great sporting spectacles to watch.
- unknownsoldierX, on 08/14/2008, -0/+4Win a gold medal for being a whiny bitch?
- Chirp08, on 08/14/2008, -0/+4Face it, this lady is a total bitch that can't appreciate human accomplishment in it's simplest form.
- eSentrik, on 08/14/2008, -1/+5I do agree with the part where she says, "I feel sorry for some of the athletes: identified as potential champions as children, their remaining childhood and youth is stolen from them by gruelling training regimes and rounds of international competitions."
This is especially true for gymnastics. They begin so freaking young. No 4 year old knows he wants to train 60 hours a week. They don't have a choice if they are the perfect genetic candidate. Yao Ming was pretty much destined to play basketball after he passed 6 feet in a country of short people.
"You can often see the parents of the high-achievers hovering in the background, eyes fixed on their offspring, faces shining with ambition for them."
Parents trying to live vicariously through their children doesn't seem right.
But at the end of the day, if someone didn't want to compete at that level, they simply wouldn't. Parents and routines only go so far. An athlete still needs intrinsic motivation. - samimnot, on 08/14/2008, -1/+5Anyone else catch the real reason Alice Miles is "ranting" like this? I didn't, until I read about half way down her article:
"as I opened my mail and came across a letter about some parking tickets"
All her "misdirection" about how money spent on the Olympics should be invested in education, etc...and the whole time, shes just mad because she parked illegally and someone younger then her, is telling her to pay fines. - guiltyblade, on 08/14/2008, -0/+3Worst article I've read in a while. Hell I couldn't even read it for how ignorant this idiot it. Wasted money? Thesde multibillion dollar companies are not just going to give money away to things like literacy, etc etc. Thats what the government is for. Last I remember things like this boost up companies to try to increase the economy, something we are severely down on these days. And the faux national pride? This guy is a retard, the whole point of the olympics and why so many countries are so adamant about them is to instill pride. Its a calling to all its people that they are a strong nation to the world. This guy makes me sick.
- jmscharff2, on 08/14/2008, -5/+8i agree with Flipp0 its very small and these people that practice day in and day out want to compete they want to support their country.
Burried for being a stupid article... - 1337chic, on 08/14/2008, -4/+7Just because Digg is dominated by guys doesn't mean the rest of the world is. The author was a woman.
- PatoLucas, on 08/14/2008, -0/+3Does she seriously thinks that 866 mill will help illiterate idiots to spell better? both they and I had our chance to learn to spell: it was elementary school, if they didn't had the motivation or intelligence to learn when they had their chance I don't think they'll do if you open a new fancy school or program for them.
And I rather like to see 866 spend in people who wants to do something relevant with their lifes than in retards. - punkcat, on 08/14/2008, -1/+4why eat, you'll just get hungry again.
- mikeopubco, on 08/14/2008, -0/+3Considering the rate of obesity among Americans, do we really need to take away another set of potential health role models so we can sulk on the couch and eat Ding Dongs? This woman needs to get some fresh air.
- Cswltd13, on 08/14/2008, -0/+2Agreed. I usually don't take the trouble to log into Digg at my work computer but I went the extra mile just so I could bury this.
- winmywii, on 08/14/2008, -0/+2There's always the winter games.
- Grimdotdotdot, on 08/14/2008, -0/+2Dude, I rule. Trust me when I say people in the UK couldn't give half a ***** about out "imperialistic past", although we are quite ashamed of the current idiot war we're involved in.
For a country smaller than most states, we're ***** awesome, ta. - pakakapa, on 08/14/2008, -0/+2whiny bitch
- compsciguy, on 08/14/2008, -1/+3Buried for the part about the parking ticket, didnt fit the article at all
- askantik, on 08/14/2008, -0/+2This article is dumb, although I think something along the lines of what the author was trying to say is true-- it's sad that millions and billions are spent on an event that is supposed to express our unity and love for the whole world collectively, and here are Chinese behind giant walls living in squalor and people all around the world don't know where their next meal will come from. But hey, the Olympics really celebrate humanity, or atleast some of us!
Not that I'm a huge cynic, and I like the Olypmics, I'm just saying. - inactive, on 08/14/2008, -6/+8Why is this author angry? Because his country only has 2 gold medals. Loser.
- Cswltd13, on 08/14/2008, -0/+1what is wrong with digg's system that every single comment on this article expresses loathing for it and yet it still has 250 diggs?
- larissa13, on 08/14/2008, -0/+1Thats right...instead of all these kids riding bikes, running miles and swimming laps...let them sit on their butts at home playing PS3 and shoving junk food down their throats. As long as they can spell! Sports teaches more than just how to run or swim or ride a bike. It teaches a person how to reach goals, how to strive to be better if not the best, it provides an outlet for stress, its very healthy. It also teaches people how to lose with pride and integrity. Ask Michael Phelps mother how sports changed their lives. Diagnosed with ADHD at a young age...sports gave him something to build a future on instead of wallowing away in a classroom unable to focus on the next spelling bee!
- topace3000, on 08/14/2008, -0/+1Yes Alice Miles, I'm sure you would save the world if $1 billion was given to you instead of used to foster athletic talent, sports, and worldwide fellowship. What a bitch.
- bitbytebit, on 08/15/2008, -0/+1well its actually billions. The olympics benefit people in more ways than just monetary. I would venture to say that each and every person who is aware of them is benefited in some way, whether by instilling pride, or hell just some enjoyment in an otherwise bleak life.
There really is no downside when its all said and done - Noods, on 08/14/2008, -0/+1I wouldn't support government subsides for the Olympics, but this is *voluntary* contribution towards the support of individual achievement. Who wouldn't support voluntary sponsorship, even if you don't like sports?
- pckbeta, on 08/14/2008, -2/+2Give me the money we're spending everyday in Iraq.
Just one day. It would be enough.
Hell, OK 12 hours, you talked me down. I'll go retire now. - Ryanx0r, on 08/14/2008, -4/+4Although I see where she's going with this, she must've been in her period when writing that article. How can anyone be so annoyed at that.. and then say to spend it all on literacy classes (ok my English my not be too good, but I guess it will pass :)).
I haven't watched any Olympic sport this time around (except when that one guy dislocated his elbow). Mainly because I have better things to do and well, it really doesn't interest me.
I don't care that a *small* amount of cash has been spent on getting athletes to Beijing and all that marketing stuff.
It sure is nice to actually hear 'good' news in the news, other than 'someone has been murdered... the war over *insert some random country* is still raging on'... bla bla.. I mean for the few weeks that something GOOD happens in the world, why would anyone be against it.
Who cares if some of the athletes think too high of themselves, who cares if multibillion dollar companies want to pump money into the Olympic wheel... I certainly don't.
I'm guessing the journalist writing that article is a bit sour because she never made the national gymnastics/swimming team.. or whatever. - silver707, on 08/16/2008, -0/+0Actually the olympics are having an impact on the world. A lot kids are going outside to play sports instead of staying inside playing video games.
- OpenRevolt, on 08/17/2008, -0/+0Just by the DIGG summary alone you know she couldn't run, jump, or swim fast in gym class (if only patty cake and gossip were Olympic sports).
The world already rewards its writers and intellectuals aplenty, but how dare they do the same for anyone outside this circle! I think the main problem with this writer is that her life was the epitome of mediocrity, otherwise she would be wise enough to know that you have to sacrifice for success.
Plus spell check and 12 years of grade school are free -- if that didn't help her illiterate compatriots then $866 million probably wouldn't either. - r0t8, on 08/14/2008, -0/+0Why did I waste my time looking at this garbage?
- thomn8r, on 08/14/2008, -0/+0Who are these millions of people who benefit from the Olympics?
- lantza, on 08/14/2008, -2/+2Author is a minimum of 200 lbs overweight (14 stones if you're British like her) and clings to her superior command of spelling and grammar like a life jacket in the ocean.
- winmywii, on 08/14/2008, -2/+1There's always the winter games.
I am going to post this again because the digg comment system sucks. So when this becomes a dupe please know that it was digg's fault not mine. -
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