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Opinion | Share This Page | |||
Rivalry and Competition |
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by Subrata Mukherjee |
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Is there a thin line?
Most of the classical dictionaries use them as synonyms, but do they truly point to the same piece of cake? We all live in a competitive scenario, but then are we all rivals? The Webster dictionary puts competition, conflict, emulation, strife, striving, tug-of-war, and warfare as all synonyms for rivalry. Both symbolize the same: a contest among opponents for a coveted prize or honor. Yet close as they are in literal meaning, the words rivalry and competition separately imply certain attitudes and actions so different as to seriously affect all who compete for the same position of honor. Another identifying quality of rivalry is obsession. "Me," "I," "My job," "My salary," and "My life" are terms echoed endlessly in conversations among rivals. In fact, a classic rival should be able to separate his or her own id, ego and superego from his social identity. A show-ring defeat is perceived, literally, as a personal rejection, because he finds it totally incomprehensible that the judge has "denied" him the purple-and-gold ribbon or the tricolor rosette. Competition can be every bit as intense, arduous, stressful and aggressive as rivalry. But unlike the latter, which is bristling with negativity, competition is positive. Even as two major opponents strut for the ribbons, the true sport ethic somehow prevails, and mutual respect survives the victory of one and the defeat of the other. Competition, not rivalry, allows us to view our opponents clearly, often enabling us to learn more from losing than winning. This is because the true competitor, or contender, does not feel compelled to deny the soundness, balance, attitude or beauty of every action in the ring except his own. |
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31-Aug-2000 | ||||
More by : Subrata Mukherjee | ||||
Top | Opinion | ||||
Views: 5775 Comments: 1 | ||||
Comments on this Article
R.J. Masilamani 01/29/2015 23:21 PM |
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