Imagine a pill was invented that cured all sedentary-related diseases (high blood pressure, obesity, etc.) In such a world, would humans still value play, games, and sport? What does that answer tell us about their ultimate value?

Human beings are known as being one of the most complex and diverse beings on the planet. We communicate in many different ways: verbally and non-verbally; and know more about ourselves than any other species could ever imagine. Our bodies are extraordinary structures that are designed to perform and adapt to every little thing we do over our lifetime. If the human race lived in such a world that invented a pill to “cure all sedentary- related diseases” we would be in more trouble than we thought we were saving ourselves from. Our skills and accomplishments did not come from somebody who sat their existence on the couch. Curing all sedentary-related diseases would not only kill us, but it would change the very fabric in which we built our lives. Valuing movement, of any kind, is what led us to where we are as a species, and here’s why…

If we take a look back into history a few thousand years ago, in Olympia, Greece, the most elite specimen of the human race were brought forth in a controlled environment to make a display of their movement, power, and grace. This even is now known around the world as the Olympic Games. The elite physical shape that these people were in was a spectacle for all to see. Their accomplishments through movement and sport helped other athletes to challenge themselves to become stronger and hone in on harder skill sets. As a result, we see their bodies changed and varied greatly compared to those whom did not compete in such activities. Now we know there is not necessarily much historical reference to whether these games contributed to a healthy or longer lifespan, but we know today through research that it is a very viable outcome to these events.

Modern medicine has advanced exponentially even over the last twenty years. We have researched into the infinite possibilities that could better ourselves as individuals and as a race. Research shows that living a “healthy and active lifestyle” can promote great health benefits. So, what happens if we cure what we are searching for in those health benefits? What are we left with? At a very young age we are told by our parents to go play outside, and to run around and make friends with our neighbors and kids that are our ages. A huge contributing factor to our parents forcing us to do this as a child is the health benefits involved in being active. I was told by my parents when I was young that I needed to be outside and run around and starting living an active healthy lifestyle now so that I am not as sick when I am older. I of course did not understand this at the age of 8, but I stayed outside and listened to them anyways. When other like-minded parents did the same with their children, I was able to socialize with them and make bonds of friendship. It is engrained in us as children to go outside and have fun by parents whom are hoping something totally different come out of it. For me, it was so that I didn’t become “weird,” and for others I learned that their parents were afraid they would turn out to have the same heart conditions and sedentary diseases that they have. Now, there are subliminally two different messages that are being conveyed into our “play” as children; One is for health benefits that only the parent truly understands and is the motivation to get them off the couch, and the other is to make friends. Our social networking has engrained that we value movement with benefits as children, but if we take out the contributing motivation (sedentary diseases that are obtained by the parents), then who will motivated them to go outside in the first place? What becomes the point of play and sports? I’ll tell you.

Now, this won’t be an immediate “doomsday” problem that people will see instantly, but it will be a cancer that spreads through generations to come. Without our parents pushing play on the children, why even socialize with people at all when we can do it from the comfort of our own homes without health consequences now? There are people that even do this today. I have friends that buy a new videogame and I LITERALLY don’t see them for 4 days straight because that is all they did in that time span. This “lazy cure” would only create more problems, but on a social level. People would become zombies to their technology and never need to converse or go anywhere with anyone. If we create the “lazy cure” I would also see that as a cure for hunger too. Why not? I’m hungry right now. What if I no longer had to be mobile and just needed to take a pill to cure that? Sport would become obsolete, and a complete joke to future generations. It wouldn’t be anything more than a TV show, or a historical documentary (depending the perspective you into it). Movement, socialization, migration, integration, and even information would eventually come to a halt. If no one needs to move, then there doesn’t need to be any news because literally nothing is going on in the outside world.

I may have blown this “lazy cure” a little bit out of proportion, but what is there to stop my thought process of this? George Orwell explained this in a different way in his book 1984. When someone controls your thoughts or actions, what is the purpose for what you do anymore? The same concept can be applied to the cure. If someone gives me the choice to continue what I’m doing and am perfectly content with, what’s the point in changing? The human drive is lost. The value of sports and games is multifaceted and complex. There are many little factors that add to its importance in everyday life that are just as equally necessary as the next. People need sport and games as children to help them grow physically and emotionally. Without the risk of death, we would not push ourselves to where we are today. Death is the motivator that drives us towards seeking better health benefits and accomplishments. Our will and drive to survive is what lights the fire under our loins, and to take that away would be like extinguishing the light in our flashlight in the dark.