The Rubinshteinic Philosophy of National Identity and Olympics

AI art given without credit.

Article Overview by Mr. J. Igwe and Co.

The article "Olympics, Sports and National Identity -- A Philosophy of Individual Excellence, Not Collective" presents a critique of the relationship between sports, national pride, and individual achievement. It challenges the conventional notion that Olympic victories are representative of a nation's overall excellence, instead suggesting that they are reflective of individual efforts rather than collective national identity.

The article presents a thought-provoking argument that questions the widely accepted idea that the successes of a few athletes can be equated to national pride. By arguing that individual achievements are often mistakenly generalized to represent an entire nation, Mr. Tomasio invites readers to reconsider the logic behind celebrating Olympic victories as a matter of national importance.

The article effectively identifies and explains logical fallacies that underpin the traditional narratives of national pride in sports. For example, it discusses the pitfalls of inductive reasoning, assuming that the accomplishments of a select few reflect the capabilities or identity of a whole nation. The reference to the "hasty generalization fallacy" helps to articulate how national representation in sports is often misguided.

The piece stands out for its original viewpoint, contrasting individual and national identities, and presenting a compelling argument that national boundaries are becoming less relevant in a globalized world where individual achievement is more accessible through various platforms.

The use of North Korea and other authoritarian regimes as exceptions to the argument provides a balanced perspective, acknowledging that different political and cultural contexts might result in different relationships between the individual and the nation.

The article also uses creative cultural references, such as the analogy between the Olympics and the Tekken video game, to illustrate how different societies might view the relationship between the individual and the nation.

In conclusion, the article presents a thought-provoking critique of the relationship between sports, individual achievement, and national identity, challenging readers to reconsider the rationale behind national pride in the context of international sports events.

(Background music)

Why the Olympics Captivate Us

The Olympics, a spectacle that unfolds every few years, ignites a global collaboration unlike any other. Athletes from across the world compete on a single stage, pushing their limits to achieve the pinnacle of their sport, similar to the premise of the Tekken games. On the surface, it resembles countless other competitions – the pursuit of romantic validation, workplace dominance, or academic excellence. And in general, it represents the competitive nature of human reality, where the victor is rewarded for displaying the most merit.

You can't get more meritocratic than participating in a full-on meritocratic association. This is where a pure meritocracy actually works.

However, the allure of the Olympics, and similar international events, stems from a fundamental misconception. It's the fallacy that a single victor, or a select group of representatives, can embody the essence of an entire nation. An entire nation with its diverse citizenry and a large range of skillsets, both great and poor.

The national pride associated with Olympic victories therefore raises a critical question: Why should the triumphs of a few be seen as a reflection of the entire nation? In logic, that is known as induction, whose opposite is called deduction, a far more logical concept, compared to the pitfalls of inductive reasoning.

Why National Pride in Sports is Misplaced

National pride prospers with every Olympic victory, but let us further dissect the logic behind it.

Imagine a weightlifter, whose body endured the agony of years of training, winning a gold medal. How exactly does this singular feat translate to national pride? How is this unique bodybuilder, a representation of a country that might not necessarily be as physically powerful as him?

Here's the disconnection that's overlooked: a nation's sporting prowess isn't synonymous with the physical fitness of its entire, or even most, of its population. A champion weightlifter could hail from a country with a high obesity rate, like the United States. The victor, in this case, represents themselves, not the collective health of their nation.

Can you say, for example, that American weightlifter Katherine Vibert is an accurate representation of the average American woman, despite being one of the best athletes in her class? According to Fitnessvolt, the untrained woman can bench-press 80 to 90 pounds, which is around 36 to 40 kg. Vibert/Nye, on the other hand, managed to clean-and-jerk 136kg, or 299 pounds, becoming the youngest U.S. woman to earn an Olympic or world title.

Can you really say this was a national feature, when the first Olympic games began in 1896? That victory isn't American. Our lives are separated, not united just because of a social category.

This fundamental mismatch between individual achievement and national identity is how national-based sports events lose their rational appeal. Nations are vast networks of skill sets, a far cry from a singular identity. These networks don't necessarily even have anything to do with one another, let alone when it comes to the members within them.

Don't think we have anything in common just because we're men, because we're on the spectrum and so on. A deeper connection and collaboration takes more than one or few things in common.

And when it comes to mastery of skill, it's often something that's done alone.

National borders, in today's globalized world, hold less weight. The internet unlocks a world of learning, making geographical origin less relevant in shaping an individual's skillset. It even diminishes much of the need to socialize. While a nation might nurture talent through funding and programs, such benefits don't boil down to every citizen, and much of their accomplishment, in the first place, comes from their own willpower and inner strength.

Beyond Borders: The Mismatch Between Individual and Nation

National representation in sports often overlooks a crucial aspect: the individual's identity transcends national boundaries, as well as societal in general. Athletes, artists, or anyone representing a nation have personal lives, passions, and skills that may or may not align with their national identity. This mismatch between individual and nation applies universally, regardless of skillset or profession.

And it's only when you actually prove your worth on such a historic scale, is often when your nation actually cares about you, the individual. Without your demonstration of skill, your country might as well leave you to starve on the streets. That is the hypocrisy of many nations without a regard to welfare.

Even national dominance wouldn't change that, as that's just a minority representation, not a representation of a whole. It's a representation of a minority that isn't persecuted or victimized but cherished. For true representation, the hasty generalization fallacy needs to be addressed. The representative needs to have a common connection with the average citizen, fostering a sense of "They represent not only my nation, but also myself as an individual."

Without this personal connection, it becomes a detached act, disregarding the individual who forms the foundation of the collective. And thus, our affinity with the olympics, when generalized, turns into the para-social fallacy as well.

Bonus: A Glimpse into North Korean Patriotism

However, there might be exceptions. North Korea, or other authoritarian regimes, exhibit a different dynamic. Oppressive systems may engineer a deep national identity within individuals through carefully-planned strategic communication, potentially blurring the lines between self and nation.

If I may, I would like to share with you a beautiful North Korean music video, not because I love that country (not at all! I hate it!) It's just because I want to show an example of how patriotism is done: By using the national identity and combining it, with little distinction, with the individual identity. It's also where the collective actually recruits the individual to its cause, and not forsakes him or her if they don't demonstrate their own excellence.

The song in question is about encouraging education, not only for your own sake. It's also for the sake of the country. I actually think it is a great message. It gives the individual a purpose that extends beyond his or her own egotistical pursuits. Can you say the same about contemporary South Korean KPOP music?

Please turn on translation and English subtitles and enjoy!