Pension Plan Puppets: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
New Blog: Cowboy Altitude for Wyoming Fans!

So, would you?

 

Just curious to see what you all would say. Feel free to comment and defend your answers.

For the record I'm going to go with no. I am a coach and an athlete. I've represented Canada twice. When I did, I said to one of my teammates, just before the event: "You know that moment you wait your entire life for? This is it!" It was pretty cool. I did not have much international success though. I like my nice balanced life, and I feel like I've contributed to my sport, and can continue to do so without needing to be the best. To be the best you need a combination of talent, durability, consistency, and timing. As and athlete I had two of four. As a coach, I like to think I have all four. Time will tell. I hope this doesn't influence your answers. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. The real meaning comes in the justification, I think.

Poll
If there were a pill you could take to make you the best at what you do, but you would die young, would you take it?
Yes
26 votes
No
50 votes

76 votes | Poll has closed

PensionPlanPuppets.com is a fan community that allows members to post their own thoughts and opinions on the Toronto Maple Leafs and hockey in general. These views and thoughts may not be shared by the editor of PensionPlanPuppets.com.

0 recs  |  Comment 63 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

thing is, in my chosen field, if i am being the best i can be, then there is a higher than average chance I will die young anyways, and if I am just so-so at it, a lot of bad will slip through and negatively impact and hurt the lives of possibly hundreds of other people

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 4, 2009 7:16 PM EST reply actions  

Are you a police officer? Or just a superhero? Caped-crusader of some kind?

by Leaf in Habland on Dec 4, 2009 7:35 PM EST up reply actions  

cop…working on it anyway

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 4, 2009 7:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Death rate for cops isn't THAT high

Tho undercover ones have spectacular divorce rates. Not sure I’d want to do that.

and the Mustache of Truculence (formerly Canada4Mizzou)

by Wan Ihite on Dec 6, 2009 11:02 PM EST up reply actions  

no, not at all, especially in canada
and its the homicide guys that have the worst divorce rate

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 6, 2009 11:11 PM EST up reply actions  

really?

I forget where I heard it, but undercover also made sense intuitively… Away from home a lot of time, can’t talk about anything you’re doing blah blah… I guess homicide might be more stressful straight-up if you’re looking at a lot of dead bodies, etc.

and the Mustache of Truculence (formerly Canada4Mizzou)

by Wan Ihite on Dec 6, 2009 11:22 PM EST up reply actions  

with undercover there is always a warning “ill be going away for a while” yadda yadda yadda, but there is a sense of order to it
with homicide you can get a call any time any place anywhere, even on vacation if you are good enough. and it is the constant tearing away from the family, at crucial times that wear on a relationship. it also doesnt help that it is very easy to become a work a holic as a homicide investigator as you are very involved in the lives of these dead people, and it becomes personal very fast

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 6, 2009 11:37 PM EST up reply actions  

You should really read everything Michael Connelly’s ever written, Jared.
http://www.michaelconnelly.com/Book_Collection/book_collection.html
If you don’t love them, I’ll eat my Leafs hat.

I am Mikhail Grabovski's smirking revenge.

by kidkawartha on Dec 6, 2009 11:44 PM EST up reply actions  

ive read a couple of em a few years back, an ex of mine was a huge fan, good reads

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 6, 2009 11:59 PM EST up reply actions  

Just watch this and you’ll figure Jared out.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433387/

I am Mikhail Grabovski's smirking revenge.

by kidkawartha on Dec 4, 2009 7:48 PM EST up reply actions  

love that movie

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 4, 2009 7:57 PM EST up reply actions  

No I wouldn’t, because then I wouldn’t be able to spend the rest of my life with my fiance.

Well, technically I could, but it would be a much shorter life. Not worth it. I would want to be a crazy good hockey player, but it’s not worth sacrificing my family life in the long run.

Boo hoo!

by sparrow13 on Dec 4, 2009 7:37 PM EST reply actions  

first – is this the same pill barry bonds took? cause i don’t want a giant head. second – the answer i’d look for with this question if i were interviewing kids for my team would be “no, i can do those things with hard work” or something to that effect, that’s my take on this as a draft screening question…although if i were asked and if i were honest i would say yes, because i’m lazy and would love nothing more than a calder trophy and stanley cup ring with no effort

The choo-choo train left right on time. A ticket costs only your mind.
The driver said, "Hey, man, we go all the way. Of course we were willing to pay.

- My name is Jonas (Gustavsson)- - - Weezer are clearly leafs fans.

by AkiSchennberg on Dec 4, 2009 8:02 PM EST reply actions  

and miss seeing my daughter grow up?

And miss getting to live out a John Lennon song with my wife?

Categorically, undeniably no.

I have nothing interesting to say.

by blurr1974 on Dec 4, 2009 8:12 PM EST reply actions  

priorities, you has them

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 4, 2009 9:16 PM EST up reply actions  

Bingo.

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Dec 4, 2009 11:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Well duh but imagine you were 18 and sngle

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Dec 5, 2009 8:44 AM EST up reply actions  

Or 42, single, no kids and your back has completely betrayed you. AND you believe that “the Final Frontier” beyond the veil is gonna be great.

I am Mikhail Grabovski's smirking revenge.

by kidkawartha on Dec 5, 2009 2:32 PM EST up reply actions  

if you didn't

you would spend your whole life going what if? Besides a long life doesn’t mean you live fully

40 years we've stayed loyal, waited, and pained. That is the honor of being a Leafs' fan.

by Kriv on Dec 4, 2009 8:49 PM EST reply actions  

I wouldn’t question it for a second. Nobody with a child would ever make that pick.

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Dec 4, 2009 11:29 PM EST up reply actions  

that’s not necessarily true.. some people resent their children. I think his point was would you rather have 5 minutes of glory or an hour of regret

The choo-choo train left right on time. A ticket costs only your mind.
The driver said, "Hey, man, we go all the way. Of course we were willing to pay.

- My name is Jonas (Gustavsson)- - - Weezer are clearly leafs fans.

by AkiSchennberg on Dec 5, 2009 2:18 AM EST up reply actions  

exactly… and I’m only 23, I have no children, well, that I know of that is

40 years we've stayed loyal, waited, and pained. That is the honor of being a Leafs' fan.

by Kriv on Dec 5, 2009 3:32 AM EST up reply actions  

but, y'know

a moment of glory is a moment. It ends. Think of all the washed up high school athletes who were gods in their day (more an American phenom) and now are Al Bundy… A long and BAD life is a sad thing, but spectacular achievement isn’t necessarily what makes a life good. See all the clinically depressed best-selling novelists, movie actors, rock stars, etc. They all flamed bright, and some of them couldn’t cope with the inevitable fizzle after, when the wonderful stopped carrying them sooner than they thought.

and the Mustache of Truculence (formerly Canada4Mizzou)

by Wan Ihite on Dec 6, 2009 11:06 PM EST up reply actions  

IN A HEARTBEAT

Live to 100 and your life last 100 years.

Take the pill and your name lives forever

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Dec 4, 2009 10:04 PM EST reply actions  

Name the best doctor on the planet one hundred years ago.

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Dec 4, 2009 11:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Dr. Zeus, Dr. Zeus!

Why do we do this to ourselves?

by Kenjamin on Dec 4, 2009 11:31 PM EST up reply actions  

name the best general, the best president, the best leader

and for some, it’s not about your name up in lights, it is about your deeds, the lives it effects and changes, the deeds it sets in motion.

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 4, 2009 11:37 PM EST up reply actions  

I can’t. Can you?

You make those effects every day of your life. It doesn’t take a Faustian bargain. That’s just ego.

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Dec 4, 2009 11:50 PM EST up reply actions  

i can name some of the best, but the “best” is always debatable
(Alexander the great, Lincoln, Caeser IMO by the way)
and thats the deal though if you KNEW you would inspire such greatness, and it guaranteed that you would be the father of it. or if you just knew youd have an ok life and do nothing of significance, but nothing horrible.

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 5, 2009 12:01 AM EST up reply actions  

Was Caesar great? Was Alexander? They were famous as conquerors, but did they do anything that was actually good? How many people are dead at their hands?

We have this notion that we aspire to “greatness” with no real sense of what greatness means. Great for who? Who are you bringing benefit to and at what cost to others?

No matter what you do, just by virtue of living you get the chance to make a positive change in someone’s life. What do you need the notoriety for?

For the people who answer yes, if you could be the greatest at something, but have to be completely and utterly anonymous in doing so, would you still shorten your life for the privilege?

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Dec 5, 2009 12:24 AM EST up reply actions  

its hard to be the greatest general without war and destruction, but i see your point

and since i answered yes, ill tell you the reason why, the thing is I want to be a police officer. If i was the greatest police officer ever and was forgotten after the day I died early, I must have done some good to gain stature as greatest ever, be that saving lives, ending or reducing harmful crime or what ever in a way that is so significant as to warrant greatest ever status, I would do that in a second.

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 5, 2009 12:29 AM EST up reply actions  

Why not be second-greatest and live to be 100?

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Dec 5, 2009 12:30 AM EST up reply actions  

well its not about being second greatest, its about being just another decent cop

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 5, 2009 12:36 AM EST up reply actions  

depends how big the difference is. If all cops are equal within 10%, the guy who is 11% better is the greatest ever. How valuable is that 11%?

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Dec 5, 2009 12:48 AM EST up reply actions  

i think 11% is a pretty low number from satisfactory and great, is Gretzky only 11% better than Stajan?

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 5, 2009 12:53 AM EST up reply actions  

But do we know it’s any more? He might only be 11% greater, but that’s enough given the correct set of circumstances.

Also – we’ve been working on the premise that by virtue of being the greatest, that one gets the opportunity to take full advantage of it. That isn’t necessarily true. Greatness is innate. It’s not about the deeds.

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Dec 5, 2009 1:18 AM EST up reply actions  

Also – we’ve been working on the premise that by virtue of being the greatest, that one gets the opportunity to take full advantage of it. That isn’t necessarily true. Greatness is innate. It’s not about the deeds.

Are you arguing here that results don’t matter?

Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!

by Knee high to a duck on Dec 6, 2009 9:04 PM EST up reply actions  

I’m saying that great ability does not always lead to great things. Opportunity will not automatically find you.

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Dec 7, 2009 8:17 AM EST up reply actions  

Also – just by being a damned good cop who hits mandatory retirement, you may end up accomplishing just as much as the guy who flames out at 30.

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Dec 5, 2009 12:32 AM EST up reply actions  

yah, but now we are hitting grey area, the question is, you are super guy who burns out early, or you are regular average nothing special dude who lives a long and mediocre life.

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 5, 2009 12:37 AM EST up reply actions  

5 years of the greatest ever versus 35 years of good. Who does more?

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Dec 5, 2009 12:43 AM EST up reply actions  

to again bring this back to hockey, Bobby Orr or Dave Ellet, who did more good?

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 5, 2009 12:54 AM EST up reply actions  

Did either of them actually do anything good?

Orr spent the next 30 years of his life in pain and his kids refused to take up the game because of what it did to him. Ellett made a ton more money and he has his health.

Define good.

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Dec 5, 2009 1:21 AM EST up reply actions  

good, middle of the road, dime a dozen serviceable NHLer. plays on the third line, maybe the second on a poorer team.

Orr changed the way hockey was played, made it more entertaining and exciting.
I’d definitely be Bobby Orr great for 5 years than Dave Ellet serviceable for 20

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 5, 2009 10:37 AM EST up reply actions  

If I were a hockey player I’d rather be Bobby Orr, hands down. But I’m not a hockey player. Oh, and Bobby Orr is not dead, just retired.

by Leaf in Habland on Dec 5, 2009 11:38 AM EST up reply actions  

better hockey analogy

Pelle Lindbergh or Ken Wregget (notwithstanding Wregget played for the Leafs)

by Leaf in Habland on Dec 5, 2009 11:42 AM EST up reply actions  

nope, but the question says “you’d have an accident” that can be interpreted many ways. Orr had a few accidents and his knees got destroyed and his career cut short. i think that qualifies

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 5, 2009 12:35 PM EST up reply actions  

Age of when asked is the key

At 18, I’d probably say yes. Now at 28, engaged, with other people to think of, it’s a definite no.

by lordosis on Dec 5, 2009 1:20 AM EST reply actions  

I would agree with that.

Nobody with kids says yes.

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Dec 5, 2009 1:22 AM EST up reply actions  

I’m 27, and I basically said the same thing up top.

At 18 everyone has dreams and aspirations to be the best, and while these may continue for some years to come the rabid determination kind of turns into cautious progression.

And my fiance would break it off in two seconds if she found out I did that.

Boo hoo!

by sparrow13 on Dec 5, 2009 3:19 AM EST up reply actions  

Exactly

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Dec 5, 2009 8:45 AM EST up reply actions  

Yes

Living long isn’t the same as living for a short period of time and being a legend

If your name lives forever, you live forever

Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding

by Kevin Sellathamby on Dec 5, 2009 10:25 AM EST reply actions  

until they forget

Can you name any sports stars who died more than a generation ago? More than two?

Now consider that sports have been going on for hundreds of years (though the profesional aspects have exploded)… how many GREAT tennis players were there in the 1800’s? Probably a couple. Name ONE.

and the Mustache of Truculence (formerly Canada4Mizzou)

by Wan Ihite on Dec 6, 2009 11:13 PM EST up reply actions  

Take the pill, die young

To quote Mel Gibson paraphrasing William Wallace:

Every man dies. Not every man truly lives.

Sure I could live to 100, but 100 years of doing nothing spectacular would be a bore. Take the pill; have a blast; and go down in a blaze of glory with your name in the books. Look at the list of people whose names were immortalized by an early death: Cobain, Hendricks, R. Phoenix, James Dean, anyone born before 1935, etc….

The brightest stars are the first to burn out, but at least they burn brightly.

Also given my choice of profession, I’d either go professional athlete or Army general.

They call me Splodeybones.

by SkinnyFish on Dec 5, 2009 1:29 PM EST reply actions  

Imagine being the greatest ever army general... In Canada... when there's no war on.

You make it sound like spectacular achievements are the only things that make life worthwhile. How depressing would that be for 99% of humanity? But most people report being generally happy most of the time… Having good friends, going out to good entertainment, doing some good deeds, becoming good at something, producing useful things… these all produce great ongoing happiness. Putting your name in a book that collects dust until someone else tops you… That’s nice, but it ends.

and the Mustache of Truculence (formerly Canada4Mizzou)

by Wan Ihite on Dec 6, 2009 11:16 PM EST up reply actions  

"To an Athlete dying young"

describes my reaction very well, even though I’m not much of a poetry person

THIS IS A JOKE

by loser domi on Dec 5, 2009 9:17 PM EST reply actions  

A different angle

would be the story of Scotty Davidson (a former LOTD)

The Legends of Hockey’s take:

In 1912-13, Davidson was signed by the Toronto Blueshirts of the NHA. He lined up at right wing and quickly made himself indispensable with 19 goals in 20 games. The next year he scored 23 times and was a leader on the squad that won the Stanley Cup in 1914. Davidson enlisted for military service after World War I broke out in 1914 and was killed in Belgium on June 6, 1915.

Scoring at a better than goal a game pace before shipping off to serve in WW1. Burning bright and not fading away may sound romantic, but one’s death isn’t always going to be pretty. It could be a lonely, cold affair.

In my “youth” I often thought I would surely die young, and was okay with it. I don’t know if that’s the naivety of my age, or just plain selfishness. However, were I able to tell my younger self a few things, one of them most certainly would be the value of a good life, long lived.

I have nothing interesting to say.

by blurr1974 on Dec 7, 2009 11:16 AM EST reply actions  

People should read their Faust. :)

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Dec 7, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions  

indeed, I just think you guys are getting way into the grey and away from the original question.
its undoubted greatness for an unspecific accident shortened career (nowhere does it say death, although ill take some responsibility with the cop comparo) or a mediocre, forgettable NHL career with hitting a healthy triple numbers at the other end

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 7, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions  

i think

speaking for myself, I’m just trying to impart a little learned experience.

we’re definitely WAY off topic but, basically, life is grey, and no magic pill will ever change that.

I have nothing interesting to say.

by blurr1974 on Dec 7, 2009 1:11 PM EST up reply actions  

haha, i agree with you 100% and if i delve into the grey i agree with your logic all the way.
but in the context of the original argument i stick to my guns

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 7, 2009 1:21 PM EST up reply actions  

The question is deliberately vague. I think the take you have on it is indicative as well. Glad to see it is generating much talk. I think the key is to make you think about your life and if you can justify the way you are living it and are happy, then you’ve made the right choice. Even that is subject to debate, I suppose.

Another athlete example: Steve Prefontaine. A legend in distance running circles, several movies made about his life. A lot of “what could have been” there.

by Leaf in Habland on Dec 7, 2009 1:22 PM EST reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Your best source for quality Toronto Maple Leafs news, rumours, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.
Start posting about the Maple Leafs »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

018_small
My First Leafs Game

Recent FanPosts

Mats-sundin-in-toronto1_small
Leaf Lovin' Since '92
Pilkington_small
Pointless Offseason Argument #3. Who plays an nhl game 1st. Rynnas or Reimer?
Domi_small
Looking Into My Crystal Ball
Mcsorleyblackeye_small
Examining GVT per Million: Has Brian Burke Signed Efficient Player Contracts?
Hockey_small
A Look Inside the Bubble
Tor01_shoulder_small
Why We Keep Coming Back
Kadri_small
Nazem Kadri's Chances?
Brocksamsonks7_small
NHL Fantasy Drafting Guide: Part 1 of 2 (Forwards)
Jesushockey_small
Something To Remember

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SBNation.com Recent Stories

NEWARK NJ - JULY 20:  Ilya Kovalchuk of the New Jersey Devils poses for photographs following the media opportunity announcing his contract renewal at the Prudential Center on July 20 2010 in Newark New Jersey.  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) +28 updates

Deal With The Devil: Ilya Kovalchuk Saga Over As League, NHLPA Agree On New Contract Rules

PHILADELPHIA - MAY 16:  A fan of the Philadelphia Flyers holds up a sign reading "Next Goalie" behind goalie Carey Price #32 of the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wachovia Center on May 16, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Habs Finally Lock Up Carey Price, Sign Goalie To Two-Year Deal

Photo +1 updates

Report: Donald Fehr Hands NHLPA List Of Conditions On Becoming Union Leader

More from SBNation.com >

StatCounter

wordpress visitor


Chief Blogging Officers

Calvin_small PPP

59_small Chemmy

Don_t_panic_small SkinnyFish

PPP's Girlfriends

Dscn1755_small wrap around curl

Versteeg_small Karina

Waynes-world_small birky

Contributing Bloggers

Clockwork_orr_cropped_small mf37

Tester_small Greener

Jesushockey_small Steve Burtch

Hitchhiker_42_small 1967ers