Is it human nature to be supportive of the underdog? Do humans always seek stories of a David defeating a Goliath? Or is it just a psyche of a pre-globalization Indian kid? That his/her side always lost to someone who had "better" facilities, was more ruthless and sought any which way of winning (read the Australian cricket team), and hence was always a spoiled Goliath. And on the few occasions that his side came on top, were the times that righteousness won. Why does my mind always cast the shadow of the unlawful on the person who wins, and who isn't ashamed that he/she is the best?
Well not sure if this happens to everyone, but if I had to root cause this, the answer might lie in childhood. I played lots of sports as a kid, and none of it in an organized manner (something that you may call as Gully sports). By describing my own childhood, I might be putting myself on a pedestal, as stories generally make sense, when they are told of extra-ordinary human beings. But what the heck! Back to my childhood, I loved sports. And I generally played them against people who were way more skilled than I was. An elder cousin, who was better at every sport or another division in school, who kicked our collective asses, or generally a physically stronger entity. And I had to think, and think a lot, to be in any way competitive. This thinking got me through a lot of situations, and presented me with a few opportunities of winning. But at those very moments, I felt that I didn't deserve. I felt that I had gotten into those situation on the back of thinking and not ability. And I almost took pride in giving up those opportunities. Not that I realized it back then. Or maybe I have too much time right now and I am glorifying the unnecessary details.
Is it an epidemic of growing up in the era of scarcity? Am I already mentally old? Why do I always love a Pujara over a Rohit Sharma? Why do I love the cricket commentary of Sanjay Manjrekar when everyone around me seems to hate him? And they do talk as if they are better cricketers, but I will bet you that I will kick their ass if I got on one on one against them in most sports. Sanjay Manjrekar is one intelligent man I can identify with. He underachieved as a cricketer, and had no one to turn to for advice. I can only imagine the sleepless nights he must have spent figuring out why the grand success always eluded him. I am sure Pujara does that a lot too. Is a closed mind, that overthinks, a shackle? Is it a disability to such an extent, that not having one counts as a talent (ala Virender Sehwag)?
I see a lot of people around me who love Federer. And as a byproduct, hate Nadal. I love Nadal, I am waiting for a day when he roars back to form, takes at least 3 grand slams for the year, and what the heck, maybe even overtakes Federer's total count. But will I be truly happy that day? Or will the underdog switch places? Is it just a game that the mind plays to keep itself forever dissatisfied?
Life needs a reboot button. I loved watching the movie Tamasha. But then I recently watched Love Aaj Kal. And I got what people said about Imtiaz Ali. That he makes the same movie again and again. I don't know if everyone's life revolves around a single theme. But then, no life is worth analyzing as much :).
Well yet another post that doesn't make any sense at all :)
Well not sure if this happens to everyone, but if I had to root cause this, the answer might lie in childhood. I played lots of sports as a kid, and none of it in an organized manner (something that you may call as Gully sports). By describing my own childhood, I might be putting myself on a pedestal, as stories generally make sense, when they are told of extra-ordinary human beings. But what the heck! Back to my childhood, I loved sports. And I generally played them against people who were way more skilled than I was. An elder cousin, who was better at every sport or another division in school, who kicked our collective asses, or generally a physically stronger entity. And I had to think, and think a lot, to be in any way competitive. This thinking got me through a lot of situations, and presented me with a few opportunities of winning. But at those very moments, I felt that I didn't deserve. I felt that I had gotten into those situation on the back of thinking and not ability. And I almost took pride in giving up those opportunities. Not that I realized it back then. Or maybe I have too much time right now and I am glorifying the unnecessary details.
Is it an epidemic of growing up in the era of scarcity? Am I already mentally old? Why do I always love a Pujara over a Rohit Sharma? Why do I love the cricket commentary of Sanjay Manjrekar when everyone around me seems to hate him? And they do talk as if they are better cricketers, but I will bet you that I will kick their ass if I got on one on one against them in most sports. Sanjay Manjrekar is one intelligent man I can identify with. He underachieved as a cricketer, and had no one to turn to for advice. I can only imagine the sleepless nights he must have spent figuring out why the grand success always eluded him. I am sure Pujara does that a lot too. Is a closed mind, that overthinks, a shackle? Is it a disability to such an extent, that not having one counts as a talent (ala Virender Sehwag)?
I see a lot of people around me who love Federer. And as a byproduct, hate Nadal. I love Nadal, I am waiting for a day when he roars back to form, takes at least 3 grand slams for the year, and what the heck, maybe even overtakes Federer's total count. But will I be truly happy that day? Or will the underdog switch places? Is it just a game that the mind plays to keep itself forever dissatisfied?
Life needs a reboot button. I loved watching the movie Tamasha. But then I recently watched Love Aaj Kal. And I got what people said about Imtiaz Ali. That he makes the same movie again and again. I don't know if everyone's life revolves around a single theme. But then, no life is worth analyzing as much :).
Well yet another post that doesn't make any sense at all :)
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