Frosty Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 The thing that I find silliest about some of the posts in this thread is that some posters are missing the bigger picture and discrediting the idea of a young person working for a goal... If it were an Olympic Gold Medal or a university degree or a dozen other objectives, it could still be/become just as "useless" as Masters Points. The point isn't WHAT you are striving to attain - the point is that you have the character to set objectives and are willing to sacrifice/work to attain them. True - sex is better than Masters Points ;) . But the high of winning an important tournament is probably healthier and, argueably, can be just as satisfying as drugs and alcohol (this from one of the Woodstock generation who's been there, done that - don't tell my kids LOL). Personally I don't strive to be an athlete, or a politician, or a jet pilot, or a lot of other things because these objectives have no value to me. I'm a classically trained singer. I chose to advance my education in a field in which I would likely never earn a living, and did so despite the discouragement of those around me who felt I was wasting my time with something non-substantive. Contrary to the concensus of the nay-sayers, it was a good choice and has brought me opportunity and immeasurable personal satisfaction throughout my life. This isn't important except by comparison to the topic of the value of MP's. What is worthwhile to one person will not be another's cup of tea. I object to the condescension of those who feel MP's are worthless, when in fact, the value of any objective is rightfully assigned by the person who determines to achieve the goal. Setting goals and working for them, having something you enjoy that can also challenge you, finding a way to be good at something - these are all worthy character traits. Those of you who don't have anything good to say about MasterPoints - check with your Mom - she has some sage advice, I'll bet. Good for you jlud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimG Posted July 25, 2004 Report Share Posted July 25, 2004 :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 26, 2004 Report Share Posted July 26, 2004 Tim - again you miss the point :) Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimG Posted July 26, 2004 Report Share Posted July 26, 2004 :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimG Posted July 26, 2004 Report Share Posted July 26, 2004 :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 26, 2004 Report Share Posted July 26, 2004 Tim - While you personally may not have missed the "point" a second time - it has been missed more than once in this thread. The "point", as I've explained, is the merit of an individual identifying and pursuing any goal of self improvement. The "point" is that it doesn't matter if YOU value the goal. The "point" is, and was, that belittling someone else's values simply because you don't share them accomplishes a grand total of nothing. It is simply condescension. It's not as if this were a moral, economic or political issue. How is it that anyone benefits by your poo-pooing someone's accomplishments? We got that you don't give a rip about MP's, (and to a great extent I happen to share your lack of interest in MP's) ...... but that ISN'T the point :D. This young man has accomplished something that he is entitled to be proud of regardless of whether you and I aspire to it or not. Frosty B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimG Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 The "point", as I've explained, is the merit of an individual identifying and pursuing any goal of self improvement. You are absolutely right: pursuing goals of self improvement is to be respected. And, I'm sorry if I suggested otherwise. However, if the original poster is measuring his self improvement by the number of masterpoints he wins, he is misguided. I'll stick by that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pclayton Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 .... I started bridge at 15 and got away and was never given the chance to be involved in the sex, the drugs and the alcohol, not to mention other bad habits that teenagers pick up. good grief. At the risk of also sounding unprofessional and bias (sic), I can unequivocally state the most unattractive (in the non-physical sense) 20-something bridge players in my end of the world are exactly those who began playing bridge at 15 and have yet to taste the ... er life experiences that James has so assiduously avoided. As for the value of masterpoints, don't get the regulars in this forum started. Uday mentions often enough the lack of hard-disk space at his ISP for us to be warned off going down this beaten road. Dwayne (no... I am not related to Joyce deWitt)Lets try not too get too judgmental here, jeez, we'd all be proud to have a kid like this. Jdulmage - you are OK in my book. You sound like a carbon copy of me; started at 15, and enjoyed the 'buzz' pulling off a psyche or executing a squeeze provides a lot more than the distractions your peers face. However, try to balance your life and apply your skills to other things. I will share with you what one of my bridge partners wrote in a card when I graduated High School: "Now that you have mastered one thing, you have the key to master anything". At 41, while bridge isn't the only thing that I enjoy, it is still my #1 hobby by far. Somehow, missing out on a lot of 'life's experiences' hasn't hurt me too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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