WiredSpace
WiredSpace
My thoughts regarding pool in the USA in light of the CSI Invitational fiasco.
Right or wrong, Ralph Souquet’s decisions were easy to make. American pool is hardly relevant on a global scale. Ralph’s actions simply prove how insignificant American pool has become to the world. Unfortunately people condemn him before turning the spotlight inward where it belongs.
People would rather pass judgment than accept the truth. This mentality breeds contempt and misdirection. Take the whole “Shane Haters” garbage. People don’t actually hate Shane Van Boening! He's simply the unlucky poster child (shouldering a history of self-important American pool players) for the world to scowl at, with contempt, for representing America’s “traditional” mentality of entitlement. This “brand” is perceived abroad as the epitome of why Americans can’t cut it internationally. Unfortunately, because Shane is America’s #1, he carries that flag on his back whether he likes it or not. The world already perceives Americans as spoiled, self-important and self-entitled. Therefore it stands to reason the last thing pool in America needed was for CSI to give their poster-boy for pool an undeserved second chance. It is unfortunate that through Shane’s groomed perspective he wasn't able to identify with those who considered CSI's decisions unjust. He had an opportunity to improve America's image by accepting no more than his performance earned him. Instead, CSI’s decision(s) reinforced Shane’s weaknesses for international competition in the long run. The fans want to see a true sportsman employ a bit of personal responsibility in situations like these. The fans want a forward-thinking sportsman to recognize injustices and refused to play out of integrity, for the betterment of the game and his legacy. It is perceived that Shane accepted CSI's decisions and continued to compete when he didn’t deserve to. Therefore CSI’s decisions, along with Shane’s acceptance of them, validated an ongoing international perception of the American pool player.
Bottom line: American pool has a long way to go if it wants to be taken seriously by the “Ralph Souquet’s” of the world.
:thumbup:
Right or wrong, Ralph Souquet’s decisions were easy to make. American pool is hardly relevant on a global scale. Ralph’s actions simply prove how insignificant American pool has become to the world. Unfortunately people condemn him before turning the spotlight inward where it belongs.
People would rather pass judgment than accept the truth. This mentality breeds contempt and misdirection. Take the whole “Shane Haters” garbage. People don’t actually hate Shane Van Boening! He's simply the unlucky poster child (shouldering a history of self-important American pool players) for the world to scowl at, with contempt, for representing America’s “traditional” mentality of entitlement. This “brand” is perceived abroad as the epitome of why Americans can’t cut it internationally. Unfortunately, because Shane is America’s #1, he carries that flag on his back whether he likes it or not. The world already perceives Americans as spoiled, self-important and self-entitled. Therefore it stands to reason the last thing pool in America needed was for CSI to give their poster-boy for pool an undeserved second chance. It is unfortunate that through Shane’s groomed perspective he wasn't able to identify with those who considered CSI's decisions unjust. He had an opportunity to improve America's image by accepting no more than his performance earned him. Instead, CSI’s decision(s) reinforced Shane’s weaknesses for international competition in the long run. The fans want to see a true sportsman employ a bit of personal responsibility in situations like these. The fans want a forward-thinking sportsman to recognize injustices and refused to play out of integrity, for the betterment of the game and his legacy. It is perceived that Shane accepted CSI's decisions and continued to compete when he didn’t deserve to. Therefore CSI’s decisions, along with Shane’s acceptance of them, validated an ongoing international perception of the American pool player.
Bottom line: American pool has a long way to go if it wants to be taken seriously by the “Ralph Souquet’s” of the world.
:thumbup:
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