RE: Forced Competition

[Marc Richardson <MRichardson@jaeoregon.com>]

Dear Jean-Marie,

What is the aim of competition? In a race, only the first three finishers
are recognized, and only first place really counts. Would you propose to do
away the Olympics or professional sports? Is all Competition bad? Isn't it a
direct descendent of Darwinian philosophy; the survival of the fittest? If
our idealized educational system were to succeed, what would society do with
these persons of lesser innate ability working to their full potential? (I
think that last question can point us towards some answers.) What would the
long term effects on society be?
I personally believe that all human life is of equal intrinsic value,
regardless of their ability to contribute to society. Our American
(capitalistic) society seems to equate the worth of a human being to their
ability to produce the things (goods and services) that the society desires.
Hence the warehousing of the emotionally, intellectually and developmentally
challenged.
The formation of a truly just society lies in the reconciliation of the two
points of view represented above.

OK, I'll get down of my soap box for now.
Thanks for reading,
Marc Richardson
======================================================================