ken_p (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} ken_p) wrote,@ 2006-10-03 09:15:00 |
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Risk:Reward Benefit:Damage
When we look for a view that echos our player's mentality we look to the poker sites and publications. Seldom do we think of Time magazine. Yet there is a great article on poker as a positive impact on the lives of those young people that have so concerned our Congress.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/artic
It is a balanced article and quite thoughtful. In fact it is so good I'm not going to paraphrase the article but let you read it in it's entirety.
Compulsive behavior is a minority activity. There are various descriptions and psychological concerns. But, the fact is that these are outliers in the human condition. Success in controlling such individual behavior is difficult. The step programs and treatment programs are there for those that finally seek help--but they are a minority.
So, is a parent to help direct their children by hoping ignorance is bliss or provide them with knowledge that might help carry them through life? Time gives an interesting example.
Although, I can never find the referenced quote; I believe it was either Jay or Marshal--two leading jurists--who said, "You cannot legislate morality." In taking a Philosophy course we learn that morality is hard to define. Unfortunately, our Congress has never had a problem doing so. We've allowed them to create bad laws with regularity going back to our first congress. That is why we have a tripartite system. There are checks and balances and they tend to work things out rather well over time.
So, the outlier of the Leigh student who robbed a bank is being challenged by some concerned parents who believe poker can teach their youngster life lessons. Two outliers in the scheme of things with dramatically different conclusions. Unfortunately the positive one goes right over the head of our elected officials.
When we look for a view that echos our player's mentality we look to the poker sites and publications. Seldom do we think of Time magazine. Yet there is a great article on poker as a positive impact on the lives of those young people that have so concerned our Congress.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/artic
It is a balanced article and quite thoughtful. In fact it is so good I'm not going to paraphrase the article but let you read it in it's entirety.
Compulsive behavior is a minority activity. There are various descriptions and psychological concerns. But, the fact is that these are outliers in the human condition. Success in controlling such individual behavior is difficult. The step programs and treatment programs are there for those that finally seek help--but they are a minority.
So, is a parent to help direct their children by hoping ignorance is bliss or provide them with knowledge that might help carry them through life? Time gives an interesting example.
Although, I can never find the referenced quote; I believe it was either Jay or Marshal--two leading jurists--who said, "You cannot legislate morality." In taking a Philosophy course we learn that morality is hard to define. Unfortunately, our Congress has never had a problem doing so. We've allowed them to create bad laws with regularity going back to our first congress. That is why we have a tripartite system. There are checks and balances and they tend to work things out rather well over time.
So, the outlier of the Leigh student who robbed a bank is being challenged by some concerned parents who believe poker can teach their youngster life lessons. Two outliers in the scheme of things with dramatically different conclusions. Unfortunately the positive one goes right over the head of our elected officials.
