Why do most people excel at a given craft?
Why does the basketball player get better? you dont think that glory and gratification have nothing to do with that? or in any other sport or endeavor in life?
People always have their motivations - they are hardly any noble soul saving etiologies to peoples drive.
Michael Jordan didnt make his HS basketball team- he was pissed angry, perhaps even a bit insecure?
Sorry the psychology's behind most peoples brains and what motivates them from day to day are hardly any wholesome, puritanical drives.
Mom said you werent good enough. Dad said you would never be anything. Sally Joe said you had a smaller cock than Bob Davis the QB on the football team.
Most peoples motivations ARE derived from negative experiences that they use as motivation.
I would venture to say the minority of people have pure or holy intentions that drive their motivation.
So bbers dont want to be small.
For me I was always skinny, and when I went to the beach in HS, I saw guys walking around who were jacked, and I though that was the coolest fucking thing....
Oh and btw, you can fuck yourself up with drugs, drinking, and smoking and still live to be 87...my uncle did it.
Just because you push it doesnt guarantee you will die an early death.
I think you're right that the desire for greatness is rarely "pure" and often rooted in insecurity, etc. That raises an interesting question: is it rare (or even impossible) to be truly committed to a craft and at the same time, a secure, balanced person? You hear of so many "great" figures in history who are shitty in their personal lives and relationships. Is there a choice to be made between being great and being good (in the sense of a nice, balanced, and unselfish person)?
I'm proud of you boys. This discussion is getting into some truly fascinating issues. Cal, when you're ready to get intellectual, just jump right in. The water's fine!