I have nothing against professional athletes. In fact I admire them a lot. But let's face it, sports is a zero sum game from the perspective of skill level. Wha

I have nothing against professional athletes. In fact I admire them a lot. But let's face it, sports is a zero sum game from the perspective of skill level. What real difference would it make to the world if all the world's athletes were 10% less fast/strong/coordinated etc...? Would people still be interested and entertained by sports - of course they would. In watching sports people like to see a contest of the best but the absolute standard of the best doesn't really influence that value. This is even more the case in sports participation. People like to feel they can compete at a particular level but it is all relative. Now contrast this with mental abilities. If people can solve medical problems then they can prevent deaths and enhance health. If they can solve technical problems they can make peoples lives easier and allow them to achieve more. In general mental skills can make the world a better place. Not a zero sum game.