The Days of High Life

So as Ruby and I were sitting poolside classing it up with our Busch Lights we learned of the tragic news about Michael Jackson. Within minutes we had commenced our honorary dance party which continues as I write this. Soon after, we realized several additional things were in order including making a mad dash to the liquor store to get a case of High Life so we could drink the Champagne of Beers rather than the classy, yet not as classy, Busch Light. While I should absolutely be studying for the bar, today's tragedies have reminded me that celebrating life should come above all else.

Of course, I am celebrated life, I began contemplating many other important philosophical matters. Specifically, I was reflecting on the shock that comes when life defies our expectations. This led me to consider what I read last night in Sway, a wonderfully insightful book which I recommend to all. In Sway, the authors discuss a study conducted on the 1984 NBA draft which included players such as Michael Jordan, Hakeen Olajuwon, and Charles Barkley. The study found that regardless of the individual players' statistics on a per minute basis, those drafted later saw statistically significant fewer minutes of play. The Brafmans' conclusion was that coaches attributed less value to those players who were drafted later than earlier draft picks, regardless of the players' actual performance. Ultimately, that the value attributed to these players was prejudiced by their draft numbers even years into their careers. Not only did they get less playing time, lower drafted players had shorter careers and were more likely to be traded, again, regardless of the value they actually added to their teams in plays per minute.

Subconscious attribution of worth based on some perceived value absent objective analysis is nothing short of failing to recognize the potential right before our eyes. Life is potential energy and it is what we choose to do with that energy that matters most. It behooves us all to embrace the potential surrounding us and abandon our preconceived notions. I for one, am starting with the (wo)man in the mirror.