The sounds of ignorance
Taking Names and Keeping Score
Charlie Anderson
Ihave always been somewhat intrigued and amused by the inquiries and responses by members of the general public who call in to sports talk shows or sound off sections of the newspaper. Although there are some who raise legitimate questions or make astute observations through their participation, for the most part the majority of them seem to me to be intent on bashing someone else in order to bring praise to themselves or on the flip side elect to unduly praise themselves in hopes that someone else might feel inferior because they can't seem to come up with quite as many good things to say about themselves.

Sometimes in their efforts to accomplish their goals they spout forth using facts and figures which are not only inaccurate but are so far from the truth that anyone with limited knowledge of the subject can tell they are speaking out of ignorance rather than knowledge. The problem, more times than not, is then compounded by someone else who uses more incorrect information to take issue with the first person's comments. It then becomes a vicious cycle to see who can have the last word regardless of its correctness. Please understand that what am saying about the comments individuals make about themselves or others also applies to their comments about the sports teams and schools they support as well as those they obviously pull against.

There is of course another group that never has anything positive to say about anybody or anything. They will offer negative comments about those closest to them as quickly as they will about those who they consider their worst enemy. Sometimes it is hard to tell if they have any loyalties. From the things they have to offer you have to wonder what kind of state their life must be in. If every word that comes from their mouth is a direct reflection of the thoughts they are having in their brain, they must be among the most miserable people on this planet. For them the proverbial cup is never half full but always half empty. They too, like the first group, are inclined to speak from whence they don't know giving data to support their position that is at best only partially correct if at all.

Lest anyone thinks the situation I am describing is limited to call ins for talk shows and/or newspaper columns let me set you straight. I would suspect you can find many of the same kinds of people in the stands at any sporting event of you choose to attend. All you have to do is listen long enough and they will certainly make themselves known. Just remember, you won't be able to hear them if you are too busy criticizing, second guessing or forcing your opinion on others to listen.

Although I'm not sure who it was, a wise man once said "It is better to remain silent and have someone think you are ignorant than it is to open your mouth and prove it." With that said, I think all of us might benefit from being more careful about the things we say and do. And I believe that is particularly true for those of us who have a passion for sports.

Just think how much nicer things would be if the sounds of ignorance we have grown accustomed to hearing were replaced by the voice of reason or better yet the sounds of silence.

Until next time........be safe!

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