Deep Backward Point

I don’t care if you’re Rahul Dravid or God, every line in this passage from Dravid’s “Bradman Oration” is indefensible. I hate it:

Cricket’s financial success means it will face threats from outside the game and keep facing them. [..]As players, the one way we can stay ahead for the game, is if we are willing to be monitored and regulated closely.

Even if it means giving up a little bit of freedom of movement and privacy. If it means undergoing dope tests, let us never say no. If it means undergoing lie-detector tests, let us understand the technology, what purpose it serves and accept it. Now lie-detectors are by no means perfect but they could actually help the innocent clear their names. Similarly, we should not object to having our finances scrutinised if that is what is required.

Imagine if one of your co-workers said this about your work-place. Or, admittedly stretching the analogy too far, if one of your fellow citizens said it about your country.

Also read Subash’s critique of and Kartikeya’s disappointment in the entire lecture. Or “oration”, if we’re being pretentious.

Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.

– William Pitt, House of Commons, 11/18/1783