A tragic story that won't likely change a thing

Another athlete lies perilously close to death today after a snowmoblile crash at a made-for-TV competition where young men and women push themsevles to untold limits in seach of, well, in search of a lot of things.

The young man’s name is Caleb Moore, many of you have likely never heard of him (I hadn’t until yesterday), and enough of his story is here for you to catch up on.

It seems far too often that we’re reading this sort of thing but it’s probably got to do with evolution of our games, the youthful exuberance of some athletes and the lust of some TV viewers and spectators for drama.

One thing we have learned over the years is that people will push themselves and many wll always; most will marvel at every extra revolution, every added spin or somersault or move of gravity-defying trickery.

The old “games” are not good enough for some, they do not provide the rush, they are too mainstream, they are seen as boring.

So what do we get?

Twenty-somethings and even teenagers trying to find fame and notoriety and fortune, to do something no one’s ever done or do something that’s been done better than it’s ever been.

They know the dangers, they know the risks to life and limb, and they willingly accept them.

I don’t get it but I’m not supposed to understand it and neither are you; I get the sense these youngsters are simply wired differently than many, either the old fogies who basically ignore what they do or the kids who live vicariously through their exploits.

And we can shake our heads sadly at stories like Moore’s and wonder why but the why is the basic attempt to reach levels never reached before.

I don’t think there is blame to ascribe in this story or any of the others we read, seemingly annually.

ESPN, which basically invented the X Games becuase it was going to be that network’s Olympics, has made what seems like a good business decision by marketing it.

The fans who watch, watch with genuine interest to see exploits they’ve never seen before; it’s trite to suggest they are interested only for the off-chance they’ll see some crash, just as it’s trite and simplistic to say people only watch car racing to see wrecks. The fans understand what they’re seeing and appreciate it for what it is.

The athletes? They are fully aware of the dangers, of the consequences of their actions but that’s what makes them special, isn’t it? Isn’t their willingness to take those risks what makes them stand out from others?

No, there is no blame and no responsibility to be doled out in accidents like the one which befell Moore.

It is a sad story and a tragedy that a 25-year-old should be clinging to live simply because he was plying his craft.

We may very well mourn his passing, just as we’ve mourned the other young lives snuffed out in the name of athletic competition.

And people will continue to watch.

-

Delta!!!!

And the intonation, which you can't get from the written word, is this:

Anyway, I knew there was a reason I had blocked that airline out of my mind. It's the one that made me sit through about a SEVEN FREAKING HOUR DELAY IN SACRAMENTO EARLIER THIS YEAR!

And how do I remember this?

Because the same disembodied robo-voice that kept calling me that day in Sacramento to tell me I was screwed called a few times yesterday as I sat out an hour delay -- for no clearly stated reason, of course -- in my flight to Atlanta.

And if you have to spend a second longer than is absolutely necessary in the Seventh Circle of Hell, er, I mean the US departure side of Terminal 3 at Pearson, the day gets progressively worse.

-

I have no idea how my mind works the way it works, I honestly don’t.

But a comment the other day about the variety of things we do here in the music vein got me thinking.

And this is where it ended up.

Go figure. But this is really nice.

-

Airport rules that go into effect the second I Am Put In Charge Of

Everything (and that day is coming)

Anyone wanting to watch video on their phones who don't use headphones shall be banished. I don't care where they are banished to but I think some tiny Arctic island inhabited entirely by like-minded people would be suitable.

-

The Raptors did not trade for Rudy Gay yesterday.

That would be the extent of any "update" because even a suggestion that, perhaps, maybe, possibly some third or fourth team might perhaps be involved is another of those due diligence issues that happen.

All I know is that the trade deadline is three weeks from tomrorow and it really can’t come soon enough, either for something significant to happen or for it to come and go accompanied by yawns.

-

Things I don't recall ever hearing In a lobby bar that's showing Wisconsin-Ohio State basketball game on it's only TV and a couple of us are paying marginal attention since it's college basketball with a 4-minute shotclock and marginal talent:

New guy to bartender:

Can you change the channel?

Bartender to us:

You mind?

Us to both of 'em

Nah, what else is on?

New guy

I'd like to watch a soccer game. It's US-Canada in an international friendly

Me to anyone who'd listen

Another Stella, please

-

Okay, I see what the Tall Foreheads have been up to: inventing a new look for our website.

What do you think?

And one part of it is trying to reconfigure the mail system for here, we’re getting an askdoug@thestar.ca thing going but I can’t access it yet so I have no clue if you’ve been sending stuff there.

But I will get it so keep trying and we’ll have the usual probing questions and your deep, dark secret thoughts here on the weekend.

Good luck. And let us know about the new look, will you?

-

 

 

 

Comments

[Tim H.]

When I made my first comment earlier today the new look, your blog appeared as it always has. But now, tiny grey fonts is not appealing at all! It makes the reading VERY difficult.

[Sharkey]

The new look was jarring at first but now I like it. Seems much more organized. I do hope they changed the comments so you don't have to write a title, that always bugged me for some reason.

[Matt]

I like the new look for the most part. I don't like the font though; it's like whoever designed it decided to use fonts from the early 2000's.

[jc]

The new format made it very tough to find the spot where you said we traded for Gay. I guess you will see opinions on the font size corresponding to our vintage. Not sure yet but change is often good. Which brings me to Caleb Moore. How many years ago did fans sit around the coliseum (the roman one) gazing at the gladiators? It is as it ever was. The more we pay to watch people do crazy things, the more people will do it. And this is not an xgames bias. It's the same with kids throwing 100mph fastballs that will destroy their arms, or being proud to get to 350 lbs to be a defensive tackle.

[sher]

Please tell the "tall foreheads" that I really dislike this font :P

[Alan C.]

Doug -- not fond of the new layout, but one thing I like is the standings at the bottom of the page. However, I would prefer to have the standings by Conference rather than by Division; much easier to check the playoff races. You can get there, but hey, that's a couple more clicks! ;-)

[Tim]

The new look is great on a big screen at least, but I can see how it might be tough on a hand-held device. Plus the "next" and "previous" links for the comments are hard to find. Most importantly, the !#@%$ "Read more by Doug Smith" link is broken again! It just got fixed!

Blogger's note: And it's getting fixed again, I'm told. Thanks

[Mike kovacs]

I find that it is harder to read due to size and type of font.

[nasko]

In my first comment I totally forgot to write the more important, I hope Caleb Moore makes it. Being a MTB rider (not professional or even a racer), I know the risks of X sports. I pray he beats the odds.

[TLI]

Doug - good take on the Caleb story... I will attempt to moderate my views on dangerous sports accordingly.

About the new look -- overall page layout is pretty ok; text styling not so much. Looks like design by Bill Gates, ca 1985. Or design by a print artist -- there's a reason the older book-style serif fonts aren't used much on websites. Tough on old eyes.

[Geoff Read]

Hi Doug,

I second MC_Brad: where is the new photo of you glaring threateningly (apparently some tall forehead at the Star thinks angry looking sports columnists sell more newspapers) into the camera like Cox, Kelly, Feschuk, and Griffin? I want to see angry Doug in the flesh!

Otherwise, I could take or leave the new look. I'm more interested in functionality - the old website definitely had some downsides so if this new look works more efficiently I'm all for it.

Count me among those who says the Raptors should forget about Rudy Gay. He won't make the team better; he's overrated and not worth the asking price.

I respectfully disagree with you when you say no one's to blame for X-treme sports accidents. I would blame the following: 1) viewers 2) sponsors 3) TV networks/media who cover this stuff 4)the athletes themselves. We're all complicit because if we didn't watch for the cheap thrill of watching people risking their lives they wouldn't go to such extremes (OK, maybe a few would still go do it on their own for the thrill as you suggest, but surely fewer than do it now with a mass audience and fat paycheque). I think you can say, "it's the price I'm/we're willing to pay for the thrill of watching these sports" but I don't think we should say no one's responsible. We should at least make a responsible choice when we watch Xtreme sports acknowledging that by watching we are becoming complicit in the possible injury or death of a participant. Ditto goes for hockey fights by the way. Every time I see Colton Orr taking it on the chin I feel more than a little dirty.

[Chris C.]

I have a bookmark for your site so I avoided most of the new look. However, I have to say that Times New Roman (or any serif font) is bad for online reading. Serifs are okay for print, but for screens they make things hard to read. Bring back the San Serif font, please!

[james]

"And let us know about the new look, will you?"

It's harder to read. I miss the direct links to other sections of the Star. Where did they go?

[JT]

Doug,

Good article on Gay.
I would have liked to read more of your commentary on a couple of issues as well though.
1.) Gay and DeRozan comparison. Both have the same shortcomings: can't shoot 3s; can't facilitate/create offense for others; spotty consistency on offense; How can 2 players who have the same deficiencies play with each other well? the 2 and 3 are supposed to complement each other
2.) With the trading of Jose, how comfortable are you with Lucas playing 15-18 minutes a night as Lowry's backup? He's shown an inability to defend or run an offense. And with Lowry playing as hard as he does and getting banged up so often, the thought of Lucas starting games scare the crud out of me. It definitely does not make the Raptors better. It makes them different.

[kathyt]

Hmmm, new look Toronto Star. Not 100% sure I like the format... I think it's the font size & style, but as it is with all things in life I will adapt to it in time.

The rumour mill sure has heated up regarding Rudy Gay.
I normally don't pay attention to trade rumour's; however, this one in particular just doesn't seem like it would be a good idea. Well, if it happens... it happens, I'll just cross my fingers and hope that it works out for the Raptors.

[LakeSimcoe]

The fond type and size are bad to me.

I see the trade rumor as something (someone tried to) that presses AB into last year's form.

[GM]

I'm sure I'll get used to it but I don't like the font right now and as others have stated, it's too small. It's doable on my computer but I just checked my iPhone, where I sometimes read the blog, and it's way more challenging. Also, there's no separation between the comments, which I'd prefer.

[Jeff]

The new layout and font is making me 'hear' your writing with a much snootier tone :)

[Lorie]

Hi Doug,
Now, since you've asked about this New Look. The font: Yes, it's small but do-able on a computer; it's much tougher (if not nearly impossible) to work with on a phone. And the 'Post A Comment' box is so small-ass as to be postage-stamp (Hey kids! Remember those?) size and isn't conducive to sending my big-ass comments. Or is this a hint? Or is it just me and my continuing battle with browsers...? Anyway, about the substance - as opposed to the style - of today's blog. Your comments on extreme sports were thoughtful and insightful. Such a sad, tragic situation. I both admire and fear for kids who are wired this way. As well as those who love them. And maybe it's because I'm such a mom, I've never been able to watch these competitions. Now, as for Doug's Divine-Over-The-Left-Shoulder-Pouty-Face-Photo, it is fabulous and the only place I've been able to see it was in The Star's print edition. And let me tell you, it was well worth the price of admission to view it. :) I so enjoy the music we share here (and The Celtic Women's voices are heavenly) but here's Tegan and Sara, twin sisters from Calgary who've just released a new album. And it's pretty nice, too.
http://youtu.be/KEC79yI9EHg

[J]

The new look for the overall website is good; for the blog, not so much. It literally looks like someone is in the middle of tweaking the stylesheet, as in it's currently broken. I hope that's the case. The selection of fonts, font sizes, etc., looks amateurish and causes eye strain compared to how it was before. There's even an issue with cell padding if you look at the box with the four links (the first of which is "Subscribe to this blog's feed").

[sportschic]

Not a fan of the font, but the bigger problem is that when I clicked on the link to admire the 'new look', I got a blank screen! I'm using Firefox 18.01.

[sportschic]

Another comment ... the 'Next' is before 'Post a comment' kind of smushed up against it, so I couldn't see it at first and I was wondering where the rest of the 40 or so comments were.

Please tell them,once you get your new email address working, to reinstate the link up at the top with your social media things. I had a question to send the other day,and couldn't figure out where to send it, nor could I remember in which post you had mentioned your new email.

Hmmmm ....

Blogger's note: askdoug@thestar.ca; should be working, they tell me

[doug]

todays a big day in musical history,as it is on this day the Beatles gave their last live performance, and where did it happen...one of the iconic live musical performances the roof of apple studios......don't mind the new look but font needs to be darker for blog....ok cheers...

[doug]

just watching it again...brings back a lot of memories, love the peoples reactions plus those are 4 pretty cool looking guys in any era...cheers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP2XoLat4ck

[Mich]

How can I get to the Sports section, or any other section, from your blog? WIthout first clicking on The Star banner to bring me to the main page.

Still love you writing but the format of the site is throwing me off:)

Keep up the great work.