It seems like people have gotten away from the lamentable characteristics of tech-haters into the territory of YETATM(OLT)OTS, or Yet Another Thread About The Merits (Or Lack Thereof) Of Tech Suits. I tried to do my part to illuminate the thought processes of a haters (myself), even to the point of mortally offending a tech-lover. As far as I can see, the haters:
-- style themselves as swimming purists (and can be smug or self-righteous about it, though not necessarily)
-- don't like the suits (since this is a personal preference, it is hard to really cast someone as a villain for this)
-- moan about the cost, (lack of) availability, and/or the general unfairness of the suits (basically act like cry-babies)
-- are hopelessly mired in the past, the supposed "golden age" of swimming
-- (related) are Luddites who can't accept progress.
Did I miss anything? Of course, I could refute or defend all these characteristics, or come up with a similar caricature of tech-lovers, but that's not what this thread is about. Indeed, like Will Blyte, author of my favorite sports book I have decided to revel in my hatred.
Another interesting datum is the poll here:
Tech Suit Poll(yet again) - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums
A majority voted against bringing them back, but do you notice how the votes cluster around the extremes? You can definitely see that we aren't the "tech-dislikers." In fact -- based solely on this poll -- you could even argue that tech-haters are more vigorous in their hate than the lovers are free with their love. But maybe that's reading too much into one poll; passions certainly seem intense enough on both sides.
Which brings me to the oft-noted thin line between love and hate.
As I have stated several times elsewhere, the bulk of my objection to the suits is being forced to chose between two unpleasant scenarios: wearing a suit I don't like or competing at a disadvantage. Either option lessens my enjoyment of the sport just a little bit. So it occurred to wonder what would happen if our very own Fortress -- who would probably admit she is a fairly competitive sort -- were somehow unable or unwilling to use the tech suits (eg b/c of poor fit, finances, or dislike). I would be wiling to bet a pretty big sum of money that her vociferous defense of the suits would turn around 180 degrees. And then some. ("A powerful ally she would be..." :))
I'll confess that I was inspired to this line of thought by a post of hers that made me laugh aloud, the one claiming that triathletes don't care about using technology in swimming (where does she think her beloved B70 got its start?) a pretty clear example IMO of the cart (conclusion) driving the horse (reasoning).
I don't mean to pick on Fort, of course, just to point out that all of this "hate" is mostly just a manifestation of our love of the sport. As if that is such a big revelation. Group hug.:chug:
It seems like people have gotten away from the lamentable characteristics of tech-haters into the territory of YETATM(OLT)OTS, or Yet Another Thread About The Merits (Or Lack Thereof) Of Tech Suits. I tried to do my part to illuminate the thought processes of a haters (myself), even to the point of mortally offending a tech-lover. As far as I can see, the haters:
-- style themselves as swimming purists (and can be smug or self-righteous about it, though not necessarily)
-- don't like the suits (since this is a personal preference, it is hard to really cast someone as a villain for this)
-- moan about the cost, (lack of) availability, and/or the general unfairness of the suits (basically act like cry-babies)
-- are hopelessly mired in the past, the supposed "golden age" of swimming
-- (related) are Luddites who can't accept progress.
Did I miss anything? Of course, I could refute or defend all these characteristics, or come up with a similar caricature of tech-lovers, but that's not what this thread is about. Indeed, like Will Blyte, author of my favorite sports book I have decided to revel in my hatred.
Another interesting datum is the poll here:
Tech Suit Poll(yet again) - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums
A majority voted against bringing them back, but do you notice how the votes cluster around the extremes? You can definitely see that we aren't the "tech-dislikers." In fact -- based solely on this poll -- you could even argue that tech-haters are more vigorous in their hate than the lovers are free with their love. But maybe that's reading too much into one poll; passions certainly seem intense enough on both sides.
Which brings me to the oft-noted thin line between love and hate.
As I have stated several times elsewhere, the bulk of my objection to the suits is being forced to chose between two unpleasant scenarios: wearing a suit I don't like or competing at a disadvantage. Either option lessens my enjoyment of the sport just a little bit. So it occurred to wonder what would happen if our very own Fortress -- who would probably admit she is a fairly competitive sort -- were somehow unable or unwilling to use the tech suits (eg b/c of poor fit, finances, or dislike). I would be wiling to bet a pretty big sum of money that her vociferous defense of the suits would turn around 180 degrees. And then some. ("A powerful ally she would be..." :))
I'll confess that I was inspired to this line of thought by a post of hers that made me laugh aloud, the one claiming that triathletes don't care about using technology in swimming (where does she think her beloved B70 got its start?) a pretty clear example IMO of the cart (conclusion) driving the horse (reasoning).
I don't mean to pick on Fort, of course, just to point out that all of this "hate" is mostly just a manifestation of our love of the sport. As if that is such a big revelation. Group hug.:chug:
