What good are we? As poker players, are we socially responsible?

[CORed]

If my opponents at the poker table feel that I am providing them nothing of value for the money I win from them, all they have to do is quit losing to me (quit playing or learn to play better). Poker is not productive. Neither are movies, the NFL, the NBA, Masjor League Baseball, or television. There are people in all of those industries making a lot more money than I am playing poker.

What on earth makes you think that we owe anything to anyone just because we (fill in the blank). It could be golf or poker or skiing. Hopefully, you have developed enough character to do the right thing with your life. It sounds like you are at a crossroads and are looking for answers. Hopefully, you can take it upon yourself to live your life in a way that makes the world a better place. Giving money to causes that you believe in or giving your time to help people and causes that you believe in. If you have enough money and time to play poker and own a computer you probably have enough to buy "toys for tots" or dontae a turkey to the local food bank. It sounds like you have smoked too much weed and are contemplatinmg the vastness of the universe (ala the scene in "Animal House"). Lead a good life, be a good person, do unto others and try not to overthink everything. Don't sweat the details. Relax and don't take everything so seriously. Poker is a small distraction in a much bigger picture.

[SA125]

Asking "What good are poker players to society?" is well intended but barking up the wrong tree.

The virtuistic view of our job largely defining our contribution to society is simplistic BS. Becoming a doctor doesn't automatically make you any better for society in general than becoming a poker player. That's because, although the work they perform can be extrordinary and they deserve a tremendous amount of credit for it, it's only a part of who they are and what role they play in life. They could in fact be pedophiles or child molesters, like we've found some priests are. In that case they are low lifes who just happen to be good at an important job, but should otherwise possibly be condemned to death for their acts.

My perspective is based on this. I was a fireman. Great job that's well respected. Got paid average money for taking big risks. I've been married over 20 years and raised 2 kids. I look at the brain surgeon and the school janitor the same way. If both of those men do their job as it should be done, and both of them do right by their family, friends and others, then they both deserve the same respect as men. Of course the brain surgeon can impact someone's life in a much more positive way, but that doesn't mean he's any better than the hard working, family man janitor. Or poker player. You have to do more in life than just have a good job to earn your respect as a man.

Earn your own keep. Don't steal. Don't mess up other people's lives. Try to have a positive effect on them and help them when you can. Be responsible for the ones who depend on you. In general, just be part of the solution rather than the problem.

[ QUOTE ]
. Becoming a doctor doesn't automatically make you any better for society in general than becoming a poker player.

[/ QUOTE ]

OK. Take away all the doctors in the world.

Now take away all the Poker players in the world.

Which has the biggest effect on society?

Surely that example goes a long way to demonstrating "value to society"?

Ian

[SA125]

[ QUOTE ]
OK. Take away all the doctors in the world.

Now take away all the Poker players in the world.

Which has the biggest effect on society?

Surely that example goes a long way to demonstrating "value to society"?

[/ QUOTE ]

Take away all the good people in society. Leave all the bad ones. How good will things now be? Surely you see that point.

The value of doctors is indisputable. Good people in general, in the masses, is needed just as much. Why focus on just poker players and suggest their contribution to that is less valuable?
Someone going to a cardroom everyday, tipping the dealers and waitresses, being friendly, polite and courteous to the patrons and employees, may not be curing their ills, but it'll always have a positive effect in making their average everyday a better one. Why isn't that valuable?

[Zetack]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
. Becoming a doctor doesn't automatically make you any better for society in general than becoming a poker player.

[/ QUOTE ]

OK. Take away all the doctors in the world.

Now take away all the Poker players in the world.

Which has the biggest effect on society?

Surely that example goes a long way to demonstrating "value to society"?

Ian

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not sure how. If you suddenly eliminate tens of millions of people from the world, I'm pretty sure the impact will be much bigger than taking away all the Dr's. And while I wouldn't want to be in surgery when you took away all the Dr's, I wouldn't want to be driving on any interstate in the US when you took away all the poker players (or, on the other hand maybe I wouldn't care cause I'd be gone too, but I sure hope my wife and daughter aren't in the car when I disappear when I'm driving the car).

So, because it would have such a tremendous impact on society to disappear all the poker players, obviously poker players are of much greater value to society than Dr's.

--Zetack

[UATrewqaz]

Poker players are like leeches. We contribute nothing and soak up the wealth created by people who are actually productive.

But casinos are leeches too and do the same thing. We are basically getting a chunk of what the casions would get eventually (aka idiots will throw away money on the lottery, slots, etc.)

Edit after reading some responses:

Great point, what obligation do we have to be productive to society? A winnign poker player is productive for himself. Why is a person under some obligation to benefit the "world" as a whole? A poker player is not a drain on society (like a bum on welfare) due to the fact the poker player is actually doing something to earn his money (outplaying stupid people voluntarily putting their money on the line, you don't voluntarily pay taxes for welfare)

I'd have to say I find the arguments that poker and/or day-trading are somehow "useful" very very thin. I don't think any of those are useful. My point is I don't think slaving away for 30 years at IBM is any more useful.

Oh yeah, and since I found poker, I no longer indirectly support the Columbian cartels. [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] So that's somewhat useful right?

[Kurn, son of Mogh]

Regardless of *how* you make your living, if you're not asking society to support you, you're being socially responsible.

[slickpoppa]

What about being a hired hitman?