So what's on my mind right now? Well, let's talk a little Tiger. Tiger Woods to be exact. I'm going to be candid, so you may want to take the kids to a secure location. I guess the best way to tackle this topic is to break it down into a few categories. As I see it, they are as follows.
1) The Deed
2) The Response
3) The Aftermath
Each will be addressed below, so strap in.
The Deed - Tiger Woods is a man and all men share certain afflicting attributes. The pertinent one before us now is the desire to have sex with multiple women. Ladies [as far as I know] do not generally share this affliction. Unless a man severely mistreats [or neglects] a woman, she will generally be faithful to him. This does not make women better than men, only different. Women have their own set of common afflictions, and maybe that will be the subject of a future discussion. Both genders would do well to accept this premise.
Now back to Tiger. Tiger did what 99% of men would do given his circumstances. He is a huge celebrity and is adored by women, who are naturally attracted to powerful men. He travels frequently and is , by necessity, away from his wife for prolonged periods of time. I don't pretend to know the state of Tiger's marriage [pre-scandel], but it really makes no difference. Even a happily married man is susceptible to the advances of another woman. Single men are programmed to pursue women, but once they find their mate, they should settle in and commit to that relationship. A happily married man should not be prowling for women as a single man might, because his basic needs are being met. The difference between Tiger and "Joe Average" is that Tiger doesn't have to prowl. The women will do the prowling. Now women may not be able to understand this simple precept, but men are generally not able to routinely turn down sexual advances. We know it's wrong and we know it may lead to trouble, but our genetic programming tells us to "proceed with caution." Most men don't have to deal with what Tiger Woods does. My wife tells me all the time that I "have no game." She knows that she'll probably never have to worry about women throwing themselves at me. I love my wife with intensity, so I don't look for dalliances. I'm only willing to work or fight to please one woman, and that is Mrs Phillips. As Steve Harvey said "I wouldn't fight traffic" for another woman. I am giving Tiger the benefit of the doubt in assuming he felt the same way. But if you marry a celebrity such as Tiger Woods, you need to know that there will most likely be infidelity. He won't love the other women, but he will have sex with them. It's a simple carnal response to opportunity and really means little to him. If you take the millions and other trappings of the super-rich, you should know what you are signing on for in the fidelity area as well.
The Response - This is where Tiger made fatal errors. As is illustrated on shows like TMZ and Extra on a nightly basis, celebs who don't "play nice" with the media suffer consequences. Tiger should have understood that once his "accident" became public, the media would want their pound of flesh. As a major celebrity, he would have been well advised to supply it upfront. This would have made for a couple of days of tabloid bliss followed by a natural, unceremonious death of the story. But Tiger decided to be arrogant and tried to maintain his clean-cut image when it was obvious that his story simply didn't wash. You can't do that if you're Tiger Woods. That type of behavior is the domain of "Joe Average." Tiger wanted it both ways. In contrast, David Letterman understood the dynamics of his situation and made the appropriate choice.
The Aftermath - Sadly, Tiger continues to make bad decisions. Actually, it's probably not him making the decisions, but he is still ultimately responsible. Going into seclusion at this point is costing Tiger a sponsor a minute. Further, he is away from the game he loves and this will harm him career-wise. He may be practicing somewhere, but it's just not the same as facing actual competition. In the end, I suspect Tiger will be back at some point when his handlers tell him it's opportune. But when he does return, he'll be a mere remnant of his former self, similar to what is happening with Michael Vick right now. It will be sad to see a prolific athlete like Tiger demoted to the status of "another golfer" based on scandal as opposed to ability.
OK - I've given enough of my time for now. Want more? Say so.
2 comments:
I agree that a man is only as faithful as his options. Tiger and many other Uber celebrities are proof of this.
I think he is doing the right thing by going into seclusion (sex addiction therapy) because his is to Golf what Ali is to boxing and the sponsors will have to come crawling back, eventually, because they need him. Golf was nothing before him. He took it mainstream.
I agree that wifey had to know what she was getting in to. She is the trophy but he had an all access pass, otherwise.
Hey Namon - Thanks for your response. I believe Tiger should have just fessed up and continued on his way. Ali would never have voluntarily walked away from boxing in his prime. His circumstances were different, and his choice was based on principle. Tiger is behaving like a child who has been scolded. I do believe he will be back for the reasons you stated, but I'm not so sure he'll have the same appeal.
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