"Deep Play" Deep Response

      One thing that I learned from the "Deep Play" by Clifford Geertz is that people should pay more attention on small things that happen in life. Perhaps there is always something. someone, or some events seem insignificant to us, but if we look closer, it may bring you some unexpected observations and thoughts. The little Cockfight in Bali perfectly demonstrates a very serious social phenomenon to us. Today's society is so competitive that it gives people a delusion that if you want to be successful or set yourself apart from the ordinary people, you must "deep play".

                   Sang Lan, the 17-year-old Chinese gymnast who fractured her neck in a freakish fall at the Nassau Coliseum 13 years ago at the Goodwill Games. She was one of China's most talented vaulters who had placed first in the 1997 Chinese Nationals. Sang Lan is a perfect example of a "deep player". According to Sang Lan's pervious competitions and achievements, She almost had a assured chance to win. But none of the deep play can guarantee success. Every forms of play involve risk, competition, against oneself or others, and test one's skills, cunning, or courage. One might even argue that all play is a contest of one sort or another. And deep play is a most extreme from of playing. It is similar to a fatal gambling; you take it all or you lose it all. 

      Now, people no longer appreciate the "More work, more gain" theory; they think it is a waste of time to do that; they want to set themselves apart so badly. So they put everything they have, pride, knowledge, money, family, love, friendship, and health, on the table as a stake and roll the dice.