Perspective for Once

PAV: So this really small thing got me kind of revved up about a topic I don't think gets mentioned enough. I was checking the postgame stats for the Miami Heat's thrashing of Charlotte on Sat., April 29. The recaps on the Yahoo! Sports app have user created video loops. Not only are these mini-highlights created by users, they are also commented on. One intelligent young lass, referring to herself as "Elsie" took this opportunity to make a very bold character distinction between Michael Jordan and King James, saying, "LeBron is an all around better player and better human being than MJ will ever be."

"People" like "Elsie" demonstrate the ignorance created by extreme fandom and the anonymous nature of social media. The extreme fandom creates a false intimacy between fans and athletes. This woman has never met Michael Jordan or LeBron James, yet she feels the need to make sure everyone reading her comment knows that MJ is not a good person. She feels protected by the internet and can pass any sort of character evaluation she chooses because of that protection. This hits me on a deeper level...

Disclaimer: this next paragraph is going to seem unrelated until very late in the process. Stick with me.

I watch a series called "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" on crackle.com. Its basically Jerry Seinfeld picking up his comedian friends in a beautiful vintage car and taking them to breakfast. The interactions are nothing but organic and the laughs are certainly genuine, which is why I'm drawn to the show. I recommend it even if you aren't a Seinfeld fan. In an episode last season, Jerry picks up Michael Richards (Kramer from Seinfeld for those of you born after 2001). During their conversation Richards reveals that he has struggled mightily after a racist tirade directed toward an audience member during a stand-up show in 2006 (if you watch this video just know its obscene and offensive, but you should gain some perspective from it). Seinfeld and Richards talk about the importance of coming from a place of selflessness. Seinfeld says "you have to free yourself...we are just raindrops on a windshield." His message is that we need to stop focusing on the judgement and gain awareness. If "Elsie" would just appreciate the entertainment and athleticism provided by both MJ and LeBron, she wouldn't be angry at the former for letting her down at some point to the degree that she feels the need to call him a "bad person." Take things at face value. Appreciate whatever happens to be in front of you right now. If you ever stop doing that, step back and check your perspective.

ZBU: A lack of perspective and a false sense of intimacy are definitely two of the biggest negative by-products brought to us by technology and social media.  There are "Elsies" with opinions all over the internet who sadly truly believe some of the crap they are saying. I would love to see how they would react if their every move was dissected and mocked. "Nice presentation Elsie...too bad you're overpaid and will never have as much talent as Bill up in accounting. His presentations are Hall of Fame caliber."   Maybe that is the only way they would actually gain some perspective... and I may have just come up with the next big reality show. Gain some Perspective.

Anyways, a point I want to make that I believe is often overlooked is that athletes and celebrities endure a lot of anger and stress due to social media. Sure we hear about the catastrophic blow ups like Michael Richards and I know they get paid millions of dollars but I think there needs to be more praise for those who do have perspective and don't let "Elsies" get them down. Last week, Dan Patrick interviewed the Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday and they discussed some of the negative tweets he's been getting by people who own him on their fantasy baseball teams. Holliday laughed and said he understands it because he's a big fantasy football player who of course hates when his team loses. He went on to say that he's trying really hard and can hopefully get some points for owners soon. His playful mocking tone was a great example of a nonchalant way to deal with the fanatics who feel they are entitled to say what they want. Holliday is a guy who has perspective and refuses to let random people online ruin his day. There will probably always be "Elsies" trolling online, but maybe approaches like Holliday's will eventually allow them to see just how ridiculous they are being.