Sports analogies are useful. They are often used to describe war, the marketplace, business, relationships etc. Analogies can be useful in developing understanding, and they definitely have their place.
But…
Sports have relatively clear simple rules. The results of each game are obvious with winners and losers clearly delineated. That is why they are so compelling. It is also why it is so tempting to use sports analogies to explain the world.
However, the world is not simple. Therefore, while a sports analogy may be useful at times, be careful that you do not forget that the complexities of the world can rarely be captured so easily. At times, it can flatten our understanding to the point that we end up worse off.
Perhaps, it is best to consciously move between simplifying the world through tools like sports analogies and leaning into the complexities of it? If we do that, we can restore a fuller understanding of what is happening in the world around us.
Just my opinion. What do you think? Let me know in the comments.
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