Decius wrote:
] I have nothing but admiration for the fortitude and grit of
] all Olympic competitors, especially in the more obscure events
] where there is no pecuniary reward. I also have nothing but
] respect for what scientists and doctors do. But that doesn't
] mean I want to watch them in action.
]
]
] Does anyone care? Even a little?
]
]
] Snippets of actual competition will be sandwiched by long,
] weepy infomercials that seek to humanize the athletes. No hint
] of adversity will go unexploited.
]
] Ultimately, I would be willing to overlook the Olympics' moral
] failings, as I do with sports that I like, if I were
] interested in the outcome. But I'm not.
]
]
] I didn't think so.

I've actually enjoyed watching the Olympics a bit. I'm much more of a Winter Games fan, but the mens and womens swimming heats have been interesting to watch. And of course the vistas of Greece are absolutely amazing, especially in HD.

However, I've been really really really turned off to watching the Games since absolutely **EVERY** commercial break features Sony's WEGA advert with Tom, the friendly apartment dweller who gets imposed on by 3000 of his closest friends. I mean, C'MON! I've literally seen this commercial 18 times an hour of programming!

I'll never buy a Sony television again!

Decius wrote:
] I have nothing but admiration for the fortitude and grit of
] all Olympic competitors, especially in the more obscure events
] where there is no pecuniary reward. I also have nothing but
] respect for what scientists and doctors do. But that doesn't
] mean I want to watch them in action.
]
] Does anyone care? Even a little?

I care, and I watch. I've got the TiVo set for every single gymnastics competition. I'll also watch the other events when I have time. For example, I quite enjoyed watching the synchronized diving events.

The Olympics are also a good "family time" show. I enjoy watching events with young nieces and nephews, and explaining to them about how important it is to "stick the landing", and the difference between the different color medals.

I'm definitely *not* a sports person. The Olympics are one of the few sports-like events that I'll watch on TV, ever. But I enjoy the international flavor, I enjoy the sense of watching the "best of the best" -- These are the 1337 of the sporting world. :)

The opening ceremonies were fun too. Watching the "flying" runners with their torches, and then the actual torch-lighting ceremony always gives me a thrill. Plus I'm reminded of the story when our own LaughingBoy cloned the Olympic flame... LB, you still got that website up? :)

Decius wrote:
] I have nothing but admiration for the fortitude and grit of
] all Olympic competitors, especially in the more obscure events
] where there is no pecuniary reward. I also have nothing but
] respect for what scientists and doctors do. But that doesn't
] mean I want to watch them in action.
]
]
] Does anyone care? Even a little?
]
]
] Snippets of actual competition will be sandwiched by long,
] weepy infomercials that seek to humanize the athletes. No hint
] of adversity will go unexploited.
]
] Ultimately, I would be willing to overlook the Olympics' moral
] failings, as I do with sports that I like, if I were
] interested in the outcome. But I'm not.
]
]
] I didn't think so.

Olympics? Really? I did not receive that memo so alas, I have not been watching. Too many events diluted by too many commercials and monotonous commentators.