Geographers and sport.
Interesting that the topic of sport has generated such an emotive
discussion on this forum. I am generally in agreement with Simon
regarding the disturbing nature of the competitive spirit in both
sport and academia. Drawing out a further link from this, I would
suggest that the distaste many of us have for blatant careerism in
academia is perhaps very much related to the sporting activities of
our pasts. i.e. that we haven't got the bottle for the fight
required.
Emma Mawdsley's comments about always being the last to be picked for
sports AND now being an academic geographer need not come as a
surprise. I can, if I try, conjure up similar memories. I also do
not like sport. I always associate it with the much more masculinist
and competitive pursuit of physical geography. I just cannot
apprectiate how commitments to a socially aware and useful,
compassionate, social science can sit with participation in any
sport.
I would certainly argue that my hatred for sport is partly related to
the geographical education I received in this country and the
environment of geography departments. I see human geographers
involved in sport and really, genuinely, cannot understand what it is
all about ?
By being involved in academic geography, we are not only involved but
also actively organising the misery of many, many individuals. Just
think of the number of people each year, charged for the privilige,
who are awarded degrees in geography and then go on to do...
Surely it is an art and thus about beers and (especially) tabs to some
extent. Am I wrong ?
Just a few random thoughts
Beccy Bunton
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Becky 'Bunty' Bunton
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'You can't touch this...' MC Hammer.
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