Why does the public look up to sports people as opposed to scientists, teachers, and mathematicians ?

Question

Scientists and mathematicians have done great things for society, but we never here about them in the news. In today's society, most of the kids' role models are sports figures. I think some emphasis needs to be placed on the scientists and mathematicians whose contributions have made a huge impact on the world we are living in. Anybody can play basketball, football, soccer, ...., but not everybody can solve a difficult math problem.

When I was growing up, my idol was Newton. I thought he made great contributions. I wanted to be like him, so I majored in math and became a scientist.

My point is that the scientists and mathematics deserve more respect as well as teachers which I should of pointed out earlier. This leads to the following question:

Why does the public look up to sports people as opposed to scientists, teachers, and mathematicians ?

Answer 1

It's more our youth who look up to these sports icons and say "I want to be just like him," without the baggage of course.

Sports figures are always in the limelight and sometimes in the news more than they want to.

Scientists and mathematicians are boring which is why they aren't looked up to. Some of the greatest philosophers don't even make the top 10 list. Socrates is about the only philosopher who is given any face time.

Answer 2

Our society is very materialistic and value the athletes who have the cash and the bling.

Answer 3

The simple answer is that they (sport figures) are visible. You don't see a Scientist or mathematician on the news unless they've done something extraordinary.

It really is that simple. Teachers right now are gett a bad rap. The old saying "One Bad apple Don't spoil the whole bunch" is not in play when it comes to teachers. Unless the PERCEPTION changes, its going to get uglier.

Answer 4

i think it is best if kids have a lot of different people of different talents and abilities that they look up to...academic, political, spiritual and athletic...at an early age my dad taught me about davinci and the idea of the renaissance man...educated, cultured and physically able to compete with others...my icons growing up couldn't be more diverse...einstein, bob marley, Gandhi, bobby knight, jerry garcia, reggie jackson...in my classroom we create a bulletin board of who our heroes are and i always like to keep posters up of mine to inspire the kids to think about long term success, not just people who are one hit wonders...