The artistic gymnastics of war

The ancient Greek Olympics were an adult expression of the human impulse to use play as an alternative to more destructive forms of competition. Wrestling, throwing, running--city-states set aside war to compete in war skills, and one can surmise that in so doing more than a few lives were saved as certain towns realized their potential opposition would kick their sorry soldiers' butts on the battlefield.

As I'm writing this morning I notice that NBC is showing artistic gymnastics, with athletes tossing jump-ropes in the air in a choreographed dance routine. Better than be double-dutched to death, I suppose.