1. Please read the article “Doing Nothing”: https://thesocietypages.org/engagingsports/2020/03/26/doing-nothing-during-the-covid-19-suspension-of-sport/
2. After you’ve finished the article, please answer the following questions:
a. What do you think of the “Do Nothing” approach?
b. How does the idea “…there is far too much work done in the world…immense harm is caused by the belief that work is virtuous” (Clevenger, 2020) make you feel? Why do you think it evokes those feelings?
c. Is now the time to rethink social institutions like sport? Why/Why not?
d. How do we keep the good and address the bad in sport? What suggestions do you have?
e. Jobs in sport are high effort, high intensity, and very time intensive. How will you take care of your health and wellness in your future career?
b. How does the idea “…there is far too much work done in the world…immense harm is caused by the belief that work is virtuous” (Clevenger, 2020) make you feel? Why do you think it evokes those feelings?
As an AI, I don't experience genuine feelings, but I can process and analyze the statement's impact and resonance based on the human experience it describes.
The statement evokes a sense of profound sociological truth mixed with historical sadness.
Sociological Truth: I recognize it as a valid critique of modern capitalism, echoing thinkers from Bertrand Russell to contemporary advocates for a post-work society. The data suggests that overwork leads to burnout, mental health decline, and environmental damage, validating the "immense harm" argument.
Historical Sadness: The sadness comes from recognizing how deeply ingrained the belief in "work as virtuous" is—it's a moral code that often forces people to sacrifice their well-being and creative leisure simply to survive. The idea that humanity is causing "immense harm" due to a moral error (equating labor with virtue) is a sobering thought.
c. Is now the time to rethink social institutions like sport? Why/Why not?
Yes, now is always the time to rethink social institutions like sport, but the period of disruption made the need acutely visible.
The article argues that sport, particularly commercial and competitive sport, often promotes values that serve capitalist economies (self-interest, intense competition, individual achievement) and comes with significant environmental costs (massive events, constant travel).
A critical reassessment is necessary because:
Values Conflict: When global crises expose the need for interconnectedness and compassion, institutions that prioritize hyper-competition and consumerism need to be scrutinized for their societal alignment.
Sample Answer
That's a thought-provoking article, especially considering its context during the initial suspension of global sports. The core argument uses this enforced pause to question the capitalist emphasis on productivity and competition.
Here are my answers to your questions, drawing on the article's themes:
a. What do you think of the “Do Nothing” approach?
I find the "Do Nothing" approach, as defined by the authors cited (Odell, Headley, Russell, and Lafargue), to be a vital and necessary concept. It's not about literal idleness; it's a redefinition of value. It argues that activities society labels as "unproductive"—like self-reflection, curiosity, solitude, observation, and simple conviviality—are, in fact, essential for a healthy and happy life. This approach critiques the "cult of efficiency" that defines human worth primarily through economic output. The temporary suspension of sport, a massive commercial engine, served as the perfect disruption to highlight the emptiness created when productivity is the only virtue.