...not because I have one (or want one), but because others at the gym can wear them, listen to whatever they dig listening to while working out, and not bother anyone else. Communication can sometimes suck (you gotta tap on people if you need a spot), but overall it's cool with me. That said, I'd be a happier worker-outer if there was no music played at the gym, period. I love my current gym (Planet Fitness), and I don't even minde their music station (old stuff, new stuff), but I'm there to work out, and don't need music to light a fire under my ass. Hell, I can just look at my ass and the fire lights itself!

I know the idea of a no-music gym will never happen, but a man can dream. My wife, by the way, wants to strangle me on a regular basis because I'm the same way about driving. I love driving, and the sounds coming in the window, and listening to the traffic. Playing music just takes away from the Here and Now of it all.

So what, no mea culpa's over your ill-written "10 reasons why the Patriots can't lose"? article?

Aristotle says the virtue is the mean between two extremes. I'm going to take 1/2 of the stimulus check and put it towards the Citibank card, and take the other half and buy kind of material thing I really don't need. Or maybe take the wife out and spend too much for a romantic dinner..

Suggesting that only so-called "elites" like yourself (and even calling yourself that speaks volumes) truly understands olympic competition is mind-boggling and childish. I can truly appreciate a symphony without ever having played a note on a violin, and empathize completely with a quarterback's blown game-making play wihtout having done that either. Professional sports, and multi-county pageants like the Olympics are entertainment, and entertainment only. Without the fans you despise watching, without the huge audiences being entertained, you aren't "elite" at all.