Feature Article November 4, 2004
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Going to seed
Summer, what there was of it, is over and I have let the hanging plants fulfill their natural destiny of going to seed. All summer I viciously fertilized and cut off the forming seed pods forcing the fuschias to bloom longer and better for my enjoyment. I wantonly interfered with Mother Natures process of blooming, pollinating and propagation for vanitys sake.
I am as guilty as the hothouse operators who artificially forced germination while the snow still blew across the greenhouse roofs. In February those little seeds should still be comfortably nestled in the ground rather than artificially compelled to begin life for Mothers Day commercialism. But isnt this life, encouraging unnatural acts to satisfy human enjoyment? We humans are a selfish lot when it comes to our pleasures.
The darkening purple of the seedpods nestling among the few remaining blossoms set me musing about human conceit. We have to be bigger, faster and gaudier to better our neighbour. We have to beat fellow competitors no matter the cost. Well show them whos best!
I muse about the World Olympic Games and our misplaced values. Instead of nations improving the health and stamina of their population by a country wide program of activities they call on individuals to sacrifice years of normal living to train for 12 seconds (the time to complete the hurdle competition) of fame. After years of personal sacrifices one of the competitors, if the top dog, will receive a gold-plated silver medal; even the ultimate reward is false. All of this so flags can be waved and we can say our country is better than yours; a boast that throughout history has provoked wars.
I have difficulty associating athletes with their countries. I suppose there is a formula that works to the benefit of The Olympic Committee. Like professional athletes, amateurs adopt a country that will pay for their training by scholarship, salaries and/or grants. As Canada is discovering, many years of heavy financial investment are necessary to send someone to the Olympics; little money; few medals. Sportspeople didnt compete in Athens; paid gladiators battled, and some cheated, for personal fame!
And what has this to do with my fuschia going to seed? Not content with forcing these poor plants to grow unnaturally for our pleasure we are encouraging our children to forgo a normal life for our enjoyment. We force them onto a very narrow path depriving them of a natural and varied youth. We tempt them with stamina enhancing drugs, and we encourage them with cheering flag waving; all the same criteria for preparing soldiers to win a war. Let us be honest with ourselves and our country. Let us encourage all our youth to be more active, to participate enthusiastically, to enjoy the fellowship of fellow participants and participate for the pleasure of fair play. The number of athletes, whether professional or amateur, who make it to the top is infinitesimal compared to those who start along the path. However global merchants have found that the elaborate and deliberate process of warping and marketing our elite athletes also sells their goods.
Why are we sacrificing our youth when we should be improving their lives? I am not the only one musing thusly: 80% of a Globe and Mail internet poll respondents stated they would rather see additional money go to enhance our schools athletic programs than go to elite athletes. In addition many countries would be saved the bankruptcies that have plagued past Olympic hosts.
