Why is Simone Biles being considered a “hero” for quitting. I respect her decision but since when is quitting brave?

[Anonymous]

Simone Biles was experiencing some sort of “aerial disorientation” while she was executing her gymnastics techniques. This is a dangerous phenomenon that can happen to pilots, skydivers, gymnasts, etc. She could become disoriented and seriously harm herself if she lands wrong.

I can completely respect her walking away given that. She’s one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. She’s got nothing to prove to anyone.

But why is she being heralded as a “hero”. I completely against any criticism of her. She’s not a coward. Not a villain. Not a bad person. But she shouldn’t be heralded either.

Updates

+1 y

I’ve competed in professional MMA and I know exactly how it feels to put your ass in danger in front of large crowds and on live television. There was always a part of me that wanted to bitch out but once I committed to fight I went through with it.

Anyway I once had an opponent (who had over 30 pro fights) suddenly retire 2 days before our fight. I was pissed off and frustrated but it happens. He’s an adult and he made an adult decision. He is NOT “a coward” but no hero either.

[Sonorous]

Since these terms are highly subjective & people can make their own criteria for who is brave or who is a hero, it's valid. But I don't know if it would be considered true unless the general human consensus said so. But even still, it's more of a win by preference rather than actually being "true." We have our biases. With our reference points being things that humans generally value because of the danger & fear commonly involved with facing & completing them.

So in a way, I believe it can be brave to willingly face disappointment & backlash. Assuming she's a person that can be easily bothered by it enough for it to count as a danger or pain to her. And we'd never know unless she told us.

And ofc it could be seen as the exact opposite depending on why the person walked away. If she did it because she didn't want to lose, then people would see that as being more cowardly than brave. But in a sport like this one, being cowardly might just save your life. One wrong move can injure or possibly kill you. So these aren't exactly subjective threats we're talking about.

So depending on how you look at it and what you assign value & harship to, it could be both brave and cowardly. Retreating to get to a better position may arguably not be as brave as just facing the threat. But since the threat is so severe, retreating will always be the wiser choice (if your goal is to not suffer needlessly) if you feel like you're in too deep.

If she was doing her best & she quit, I doubt people would be saying it's cowardly. I think there would need to be elements of fear or incompetence in order for people to first think that. They might just call her lazy. Some might call her cowardly. But many would still call her brave. And all of those could fit since like I said, since it's highly subjective & we get to create the criteria.

[Asker]

I just respect her decision. I don’t call her cowardly or brave. She’s neither in my opinion. Just a responsible adult considering the risks she faces with aerial disorientation.

The vast majority of people criticizing her have never competed in a risky sport. I have (mma) and I know exactly how it feels literally out my ass on the line. I’ve seen guys and girls bail out of fights last second just because they were scared. While I never did that I understood how they felt.

[Sonorous]

And I think your view might be the most reliable one. I say that because with any controversial topic, it can be easy for people to go to the extremes.

[Asker]

thanks. She proved herself anyway in the past and really her decision shouldn’t be a huge deal.

I like to see every armchair quarterback calling her a coward try the vault and see how well their unathletic asses perform. I bet half of them can’t even touch their toes.

[Sonorous]

True 😂 and ikr, I think people just get very emotional and then they try to attack, so then certain people defend, but maybe a little too much. So much to the point where they're saying things that wouldn't generally apply if the situation had not gone awry.

[Asker]

Yep. I still recall some of the bullshit and asinine criticism I got back then. My morbidly obese boss told me that “I fight slow”. It’s often the fat asses who had the loudest mouths. Anyway.

[Sonorous]

I believe even our worst enemies can give us a valid perspective. But I do prefer constructive criticism. Like I'd rather them know what they're talking about if they point out a "flaw."

[Asker]

You have to always consider the source. There is tough love and there is bullying. When someone gives you tough love (hard truth and constructive criticism) they do it tactfully and at no benefit to themselves. It’s done privately and the person points out the flaw but also gives advice on how to overcome it.

Bullying is much different. Even if the bully is correct about the flaw he/she isn’t pointing it out to help someone. Rather it’s done to harm the person because the bully gets a rush out of it (and the bully is often an insecure hypocrite).

That’s the difference. But these detractors on both sides are morons. Selfish morons to call her a coward. But also selfish coward to call her “a hero”. There is no merit in being a victim or quitter. This is a newer evolution in our culture and it’s very twisted.

[Sonorous]

I view it differently. No matter the source's intentions or how the receiver has perceived them, I still think we can learn from the things other people say. It would just be best not to engage with them since they likely don't have our best intentions in mind.

And I view "hard truth" as being a very versatile/subjective thing. One that can be said in a constructive way or a destructive way. And much like constructive criticism, people can view their intentions as being mean, bullying, destructive, etc, even when they're not. Assuming it's just the truth/perspective with no added hostility, aggression, personal digs, etc.

I don't think they're morons. I think the emotions they're all feeling are valid & important ones. They help regulate societies by specifying what would need to be improved on & what doesn't. So I think they're the complete opposite of morons. They're actually intelligent since they're capable of perceiving one situation from a different perspective even though they're a part of the same species.

And I don't think they're selfish on both sides. Maybe on the side that's most outraged though. But ultimately, I don't believe they should go to extremes without good reasoning. And this matter isn't something people are entitled so the reasoning for the outraged side's emotions wouldn't hold a lot of merit. Because no matter what, and for whatever reasons, it would ultimately be her choice. I think we agree on that if anything.

[Asker]

At that’s the point of empathy (which is not the same as empathy). It is to put yourself in someone else’s position. You might not agree with their decision but you can empathize with them. This can help you understand a cheater for example. That doesn’t mean you like or respect what they did but you understand them.

However I still maintain my position on sociopaths. Everything they do is for themselves and took take their words seriously is dangerous. They are incapable of feeling empathy.

[Asker]

*empathy not the same as sympathy

[Sonorous]

Though we might disagree on the criteria of how they'd be defined & the attributions, I think those are both pretty good perspectives to have.

[raw_is_war99]

I wouldn’t call her a hero. She’s courageous to come out with her feelings about her mental health which we should respect. And I am not trying to make this into a male/female debate. But I remember the Bulls/Celtics played a game in first round in 2017 I think and Celtics point guard Isiah Thomas had just gotten news his sister passed away and he was a wreck. He was able to up a monster game and help Boston get a win. I get annoyed when guys/men say women/girls are weak, but I also get annoyed when women/girls say guys/men are weak. I’ve seen male professional athletes deal with deaths in their family, going through a difficult divorce, being broken inside mentally but still performing at a high level. I’m not saying she should have, but she’s not a hero for talking about her mental health as if she “helped” team USA.

[Asker]

Exactly. Why is that (usually women) are always looking for “affirmation” about their decisions. I respect her decision as being a responsible adult. You make a mistake in gymnastics and you could break your neck. But being responsible isn’t the same as being brave.

It’s possible she’s just reached her limit in this sport. No shame in that especially given what she accomplished. But still this overwhelming “support” for quitting is ridiculous. I will shout down anybody who calls her weak/cowardly (they are almost always armchair quarterbacks anyway). But I don’t cheer her decision either. Just understand it.

[nevernevernever]

Because there is a lot of pressure to perform no matter what on athletes at her level, and this kind of action is unprecedented, so for her to put her own health first goes against everything everyone is telling her and also sets a precedent for athletes at the olympic level to not push themselves until they break

[Asker]

And I completely agree. I know what it’s like to have that kind of pressure myself.

With that said I wouldn’t expect or ever want somebody calling me a “hero” for quitting.

[nevernevernever]

Well I'm not going to argue against your personal opinion about yourself, I was just explaining why I feel like she made a brave call that will hopefully have good effects

[Asker]

That’s not “brave”. No. Responsible yes but brave no.

[nevernevernever]

brave for me is just doing something good that you or other people are scared to do

[doopayo]

Because of the death of her mom she needs time to heal, she’s still the goat record breaking bad ass it’s just that she’s taking time off for her mental health and that should be respected

[Andres77]

There's more going on inside of her than we know. She has her reasons.
She's proven herself as world class and genuine.
She gets the benefit of the doubt in my book.
I'd support whatever she thinks she needs to do that is best for her.
Her dedication to the discipline shows that she's considered the consequences and whether I understand or agree doesn't matter. She did what she thought she needed to do.
I support her decision.
I hope for her well being and peace.
I wish her the best.

[John_Doesnt]

Because it's 2021 and every minority who does something has to be called a hero. Just like PC Principal forced everyone to call Catilyn Jenner a hero.

[Smoke-n-Growls]

It's less her quitting that is heroic and her standing up for herself and her health.

Olympians - heck, all professional athletes - are often forced or "encouraged" to push into career-ending injury.

It's much more wise as a professional to retain your well-being and future earning potential for the next Olympics.

[Asker]

Gymnastics is a young girls sport.

But anyway like I said earlier I respect her decision. It’s a very risky sport and she needs to be 100% upstairs. I know what it’s like to be a position where you can get hurt if your not focused.

But the leftist media really overdid the “heroic” part.

[Smoke-n-Growls]

It can be, but there's athletes in their 40s competing and winning.

As long as the athlete can compete at that level, age can be flexible. But yes, younger athletes are going to have better chances.

I think media - either end of the spectrum - exaggerates most of their stories. Plain headlines don't sell, emotionally appealing ones do.

[HiveBee]

This is one of those things that liberals use. She has become like jesus. She is an example of a person that liberals wish all people would be.

Liberals wish all people would conform to their moral system like christians or muslims. They would force us but luckily they can't.

This girl is just an example of a person with the maturity and self awareness to stop before she hurts herself.

she's one of those people who represents perfect morality and so sheis praised for it.

[Asker]

I respect her decision. But again nobody is a hero for “quitting”. Again I’m not disappointed in her. She knows what she’s doing considering she was the best of the best. Her call. But still this bizarre adoration is beyond me.

The problem is there are performers, athletes, etc who are get sqeuimish but it’s more just insecurity vs. having a serious mental health issue. Quitting in those situations can lead to life long regret. The “adoration” of her quitting can encourage more people to fall short of their dreams. That’s what I have a problem with.

[Lost_in_the_Woods]

Because the media is doing everything they can to sew racial division and make people angry/afraid so they are easier to control.

[MudRucker]

No athelete is a "hero".

Simone Biles has proved herself to be one of the greatest.

If she has health issues of any type she should take care of herself. Sports is not worth harming onesself.

But as I said. No athelete is a hero.

However, to hell with those who make derogatory comments about her.

[Mofunfour20]

Quitting is quite cowardly. If someone used the term hero im guessing it was a woman that wrote it to soften the blow

[Asker]

I read the details on what happened. She isn’t a coward but she’s NOT a hero. Why can’t we just say “he we respect your decision. Hope you figure this out” and just leave it at that?

[Anonymous]

I suspect that much of the pandering to her is racially motivated by the PC/SJW crowd and the far left "MSM."

[BubbaTech]

Brave? No
Smart? Yes
If her head isn't 100% on the competition. She can put herself in a situation that can cause major life changing injuries.

[pjf1958]

As this is highly unlikely, it's imperative that we delay any public avenues of our decision until af

[marc94]

I agree with you. Calling her heroin is a bit too much.

[normalice]

Because all of the shit she is getting for it was completely predicted.

[Anonymous]

Her “people” are trying to spin this as she has endorsements and money at risk. The media is playing along because of race politics.

[SlightlyEccentric]

https://youtu.be/33eCt8nR2xw

[RationalMale]

she's a black woman so anything she does is amazing and brave per the media.

[Asker]

I didn’t want to be bring up race but you might be right on that one unfortunately.

[JesseJayNeak]

I don't know. Maybe since people started praising mediocrity and participation trophies instead of excellence?

[Iron_Man]

Its not she's a female they always get a free pass. Mary Lou Retton is the true warrior of gymnastics

[dolemite89]

i agree, especially when this “disorientation” is due to her withdrawals from the adhd medication she’s on. i don’t feel good coming down off speed either lol

[SuccessfulHornDog]

Maybe the people calling her brave are exaggerating in order to support her decision

[FullAfterburner]

You gotta know when to hold em you gotta know when to fold em

[Smegskull]

It's the sponsorship team I feel sorry for. She thinks she was stressed but how many others had a stressful day to enable her personal indulgence?

[Anonymous]

Leave her alone. Athletes pull out all the time. Just because she is a high profile athlete she should not be treated like this. Her choice so be it.

[Asker]

Oh I respect her decision no doubt. But the way people are saying she is a “hero” is what I have a problem. She’s neither a quitter nor a hero. She’s just a responsible adult. Nothing more nothing less.

[EnglishEuropean]

It's a media thing. If you're not a hero you must be a villain. You can't just be human.

[OddBeMe]

Isn’t she doing it for her teammates somehow? I don’t follow sports or care really.

[MrJMM]

Because a lot of people would not have quit.

[lycanthrope3]

Team players know when they are hurting the team

[Anonymous]

She's not a hero, she's a disgrace and a quitter.