I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how certain characteristics–like intelligence, artistic talent, and athleticism–are often understood to be inborn, innate, or natural. If intelligence, for example, is believed to be inborn, the idea that people can nurture their intelligence and get smarter can get lost. In which case, it might seem to be a fool’s errand to work to become better at things in which we don’t believe we are naturally gifted. What potential could we collectively tap if we believed, instead, that the intelligence, artistic talent, and athleticism in each of us could be grown through effort?
I was reminded of these thoughts by this Nike commercial called “Fate” (found here). Comments after the video:
This commercial posits that LaDainian Tomlinson and Troy Polamalu were born to play football. Such a narrative erases all of the incredibly hard physical and mental work that Polamalu and Tomlinson no doubt put in over their lives, at the same time that it discourages anyone who does not believe that “fate” has been so kind from trying to develop their own athletic ability.
Comments 9
Dee — October 17, 2008
I disagree. The video shows them both working towards becoming better football players. I think the message is about how lives can cross in unexpected ways.
Jaykay — October 17, 2008
I agree with Dee above and disagree with the original post too.
They show both players studying hard, getting into college football (not an easy task), even playing other sports. They are shown practicing day and night. I saw this commercial more as realizing your dreams and working towards them.
Will — October 17, 2008
They aren't particularly shown making any sacrifices or suffering any hardships to get where they are, except for one brief shot of running in the snow. They are shown playing a lot, but I took away the implication that they are doing it because they were born to do it. Since they are shown being able to run in the womb, it's never really implied that all those years of practice were anything other than effortless for them.
Maybe it's the title of the video "Fate" that leads us to different interpretations? I think I would have liked it better without the title.
Fernando — October 17, 2008
I don't think that there's the idea that they did not train to become professional players. What I see is that since they were kids they had an inclination for being athletes and that they developed that along the years, as shown in those shots where they are training and studying.
I think that it is a simplification to say that what defines a person is either inborn or learned. It is both.
Cecil — October 17, 2008
This post makes me think of a question that was posed to me.
Do we objectify athletes by reducing them to their abilities in the same way we objectify women?
Or maybe athleticism is a talent and part of a personality, and athletes would continue to play without admirers or pay?
What do you think?
Is it the same with musicians?
Anonymous — October 18, 2008
I agree with the posts before - the end of the ad says "leave nothing" and then has the Nike swoosh. In my opinion, this ad bears the title Fate because the ad claims that one shouldn't leave anything to fate. Yes, they may have been lucky enough to have been born to be athletic, but perhaps fate isn't enough to guarantee success. It also takes hard work, training, practice and persistence (and Nike gear apparently).
Anonymous — October 19, 2008
I agree with most of the commenters: I don't think this video was saying anything about innate talent. I thought the "Leave nothing" quote meant "leave nothing to fate" also. It seemed to me that the video implied that both these men had loved their sport since they were children, and hence all the scenes of them running, at practices, etc. as they got older--because they loved what they did and were dedicated to it. Heck, seeing this video felt inspiring to me--a small, short, unathletic, female of East Asian descent--to wanna start training to play pro football. It was inspiring to see dedication. I saw nothing of what the original poster was saying about lack of innate ability.
Anonymous — October 23, 2008
"Leave nothing" refers to the cliché "leave nothing on the field," which means roughly the same as "give 110% effort." (Though "leave everything on the field" is more common and makes more sense; I guess it's a "could care less" kind of situation.)
I agree with Will that the title really skews the meaning of the ad.
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