MichaelWest
Really Really Experienced
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2008
- Posts
- 313
Bragging right to whom? My family? My friends? I think not.
If you think you "win" by cheating, then you are deluded. You haven't won.
I find it humorous how these contests draw out suspicions and questions as to veracity. I suppose the impulse to cheat, especially when the risk of being exposed is low, is there. And I suppose the prize money and the accolades are enough to spur on the desire to win at all costs. However, when the process is in doubt, the laurel crown of victory is wilted to all who bear doubts. This is why cheating serves a hollow victory. We now know the statues at the original Olympics were of the cheaters memorialized in shame for eternity. The winners were known to all.
I chose not to think the winners have cheated or any of the other competitors either. I chose to believe the process is a fair as it can be and works to minimize the success of cheating. I chose to congratulate the winners and return for another round of competition. This is not a product of naivety, but a pragmatic affirmation that honest competitors and great writing will prevail over cheaters and their Trojan horses.
And thank you Sun Sea Sky for the work to summarize the contest progress and results.