We do that factor as of late the place we preface our controversial ideas with the phrases, “unpopular opinion.” It goes one thing like this: “Unpopular opinion, however morning runs are overrated,” or “Unpopular opinion, however winter runs are higher than summer season runs,” or “Unpopular opinion, however I don’t truly care about native legend standing on Strava.”
It’s principally a enjoyable recreation we play on social media, however I believe there’s one thing extra to it. It’s as if these little phrases grant us permission to voice our true ideas with out being too embarrassed as a result of we brazenly acknowledge that they’re unpopular. However maybe extra importantly, once we use these phrases to protect ourselves from potential judgment, they’ll additionally remind us to query ourselves about why we maintain these opinions and put together ourselves to have a constructive dialogue about them.
Zach Miller in 2023, after ending second at UTMB, would have disagreed with a younger Zach Miller’s unpopular opinion that 100-mile races had been foolish. Picture: Luke Webster
And with that, I shall share a few of my very own unpopular opinions. Right here goes.
Unpopular opinion, however a part of me thinks that 200-plus-mile races are dumb. In truth, a aspect of me cringed when my Instagram feed was stuffed with individuals operating the Cocodona 250 Mile simply the opposite week. A part of me thinks we must always first get sooner at 100-mile races earlier than tackling races two-and-a-half instances as lengthy. And an analogous fraction of me disliked that I used to be sucked into following alongside and caring about it. However wait, there’s extra.
Unpopular opinion, however a part of me was bothered by lululemon’s FURTHER occasion. A bit of me thought it merely regarded like plenty of sluggish operating. In the meantime, one thing else in me couldn’t cease interested by whether or not they need to have referred to as the occasion “additional” or “farther.” In any case, they had been operating far, and farther is used for distance, however then again, maybe they had been additionally operating to a higher diploma of their beings, during which case additional could possibly be applicable. For a man who favored math class much more than English, I assume I’ve some robust emotions about grammar. Permit me to proceed.
Unpopular opinion, however I’m okay with the Barkley Marathons. I acknowledge that it’s a totally different kind of occasion. I perceive that some assume that the extent of consideration that it garners from the media is dangerous for the game of ultrarunning — that individuals don’t need this race, a scavenger hunt as they could name it, to be what individuals consider as ultrarunning. But, I believe it’s a distinctive problem that embodies a lot of what ultrarunning really is — a take a look at of will, power, endurance, and psychological fortitude.
Jasmin Paris changing into the primary lady to complete the Barkley Marathons is maybe the most important ultrarunning media second of 2024 up to now. Picture: David Miller
Being a Skeptic of Skepticism
Earlier than you get mad at me within the feedback part under, please permit me to develop a bit extra. These ideas are basically my knee-jerk reactions. They’re issues that I believe however don’t all the time say. They’re the kind of ideas that I specific to my closest pals, those that will nonetheless speak to me even when they disagree.
And when I’ve these ideas, I query myself: Am I interested by this accurately? Am I proper to agree or disagree with a well-liked or accepted opinion? Am I simply being a cranky, previous curmudgeon? Ought to I be extra open-minded?
The opposite night time, as I used to be studying by way of a set of notes that I carry on my cellphone, I stumbled upon the next phrases from writer and podcast host Krista Tippett in a chunk referred to as “Changing into Sensible:”
“I’m consciously shedding the idea {that a} skeptical viewpoint is probably the most intellectually credible. Mind doesn’t perform in opposition to thriller; tolerance will not be extra pragmatic than love; and cynicism will not be extra cheap than hope. Not like nearly each worthwhile factor in life, cynicism is straightforward. It’s by no means confirmed unsuitable by the corruption or the disaster. It’s not generative. It judges issues as they’re, however doesn’t raise a finger to attempt to shift them.”
Now, I do know that Tippett didn’t pen these phrases in response to Cocodona 250 Mile, FURTHER, or the Barkley Marathons. In truth, she most actually wasn’t interested by ultrarunning in any respect. But, her ideas made me query why I used to be being so crucial of what different individuals had been doing.
Simply because I don’t have the will to do one thing doesn’t imply it may’t maintain worth for another person. In any case, there was a time in my youth after I thought operating 100 miles was foolish. “I might most likely try this, however I don’t wish to run that sluggish,” was what I believed to myself. Years later, right here I’m doing the very factor that I as soon as regarded as so foolish. I assume I’m having a bit snack on the phrases of my youth.
Cynics and followers had been equally glued to the end of the Cocodona 250 Mile the place Harry Subertas took over the race lead with just a few miles left. Picture: Howie Stern
I believe this kind of factor occurs lots in life and extends far past the sector of sports activities. From ultrarunning to political beliefs to how our associate does the dishes, we rapidly develop into cynical of so many issues. All we see is what we take into account proper whereas neglecting to create space for thriller, love, or hope. We maintain so tightly to our (unpopular) opinions that we fail to create space for ahead progress.
As I take to the paths that life presents, I want to keep in mind that there are lots of twists and turns that I received’t expect. My skepticism and critique could also be of worth for some however not for all. There’ll typically be multiple good path, and simply because it’s not my cup of tea doesn’t imply it isn’t another person’s. If somebody needs to run a 250-mile race or for six days in a row, might I discover it in me to cheer on such a feat.
So right here’s to all of these consuming massive, daring cups of tea — for the place there’s problem, there’s alternative, and the place there’s alternative, there’s development.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever ever discovered your self getting skeptical of different individuals’s objectives?
- How can we create area for constructive discussions of unpopular opinions?