Jessica Valenti at Abortion, Everyday said pretty much this as well. She said to see a young women in control of her life, joyful and free, and we haven't been seeing people (other than fascists) being happy and free for a while. You're both right.
I think it's especially powerful because she's a young woman in a beauty-focused sport. She's "supposed" to train as hard as possible, and also be a supermodel. The fact that she says "no" and it works is really empowering.
I actually am a fan of ice skating, and I don’t think I've ever seen anything like her. Watching her performance, I couldn't help but think, "This woman isn't competing; she's just having fun!" But there was also something in that attitude that made her performance so medal-worthy in the end. So many of these skaters get crushed by the pressure of the Olympics, but there was none of that in her.
That thing when she spins a million times, bent backwards, then grabs her skate and pulls it over her head is one of the most impressive things I've seen in my life.
Could not have said it better myself. Her ability to have and enforce an unfettered sense of agency in something that up until 16 dictated every waking second of her life (more than likely dictated her sleep too) is both inspiring and aspirational.
I'm glad for her and her accomplishment. I also imagine that as an adult she's able to make her own decisions.
However, her very existence is optimization on steroids.
Her father bought five children for the purpose of optimizing their genetics. He didn't even grant them the the dignity of having a mother. Choosing the best possible eggs for the best genetics was more important than having a mother. Even someone following a similar strategy, Elon Musk, grants his IVF children a mother.
He didn't even choose his own race for the mother, but choose a white egg because it was better.
Then he tiger parented the shit out of them.
Yeah, she got to take a break after 16 years of muscle memory. I'm sure it all came back to her pretty quick.
I've expected that in thirty years time nearly everyone on the winners podium will be a genetically optimized IVF baby. But her father was twenty years ahead. Your not witnessing a rejection of optimization, your witnessing its embodiment and inevitability.
Actually there is a lot to admire about her Dad. He came here as a Chinese dissident, worked as a busboy, got an advanced degree and had a daughter that was an Olympian … not too shabby 😎
I’m not saying I don’t admire him. Or that I don’t appreciate what Liu. I’m really putting that issue to the side.
I’m saying that genetic enhancement is going to be a requirement for elite performance going forward, which is a pretty big change to the human condition.
And that in at least some extreme cases it will involve one parent choosing superior egg/sperm over the egg/sperm of a partner to raise the children with.
Jessica Valenti at Abortion, Everyday said pretty much this as well. She said to see a young women in control of her life, joyful and free, and we haven't been seeing people (other than fascists) being happy and free for a while. You're both right.
I think it's especially powerful because she's a young woman in a beauty-focused sport. She's "supposed" to train as hard as possible, and also be a supermodel. The fact that she says "no" and it works is really empowering.
I actually am a fan of ice skating, and I don’t think I've ever seen anything like her. Watching her performance, I couldn't help but think, "This woman isn't competing; she's just having fun!" But there was also something in that attitude that made her performance so medal-worthy in the end. So many of these skaters get crushed by the pressure of the Olympics, but there was none of that in her.
She just didn't seem to care! It was incredible!!!
Remember, that is a MAXIMUM of physical exertion and coordination to do those on-ice performances! Humanity at its best, vs war - at its worst.
That thing when she spins a million times, bent backwards, then grabs her skate and pulls it over her head is one of the most impressive things I've seen in my life.
And also, she chose Donna Summer’s music, another icon of a woman who did what she wanted!
Queens recognize Queens
Fan of skating here. I'm there for Johnny Weir.
lol. My sister was a skater so I actually know him.
If you see him, please tell him I love him. Lol.
We love her so much, we written an article too! If interested, check it out:
https://fgpsports.substack.com/p/redefining-success-alysa-lius-journey?r=7naprt
Could not have said it better myself. Her ability to have and enforce an unfettered sense of agency in something that up until 16 dictated every waking second of her life (more than likely dictated her sleep too) is both inspiring and aspirational.
I'd be impressed if a developed adult could resist that pressure. The fact that she did it at 16 is next-level!
Absolutely!
Beautifully said!
Thanks Donna!
I'm glad for her and her accomplishment. I also imagine that as an adult she's able to make her own decisions.
However, her very existence is optimization on steroids.
Her father bought five children for the purpose of optimizing their genetics. He didn't even grant them the the dignity of having a mother. Choosing the best possible eggs for the best genetics was more important than having a mother. Even someone following a similar strategy, Elon Musk, grants his IVF children a mother.
He didn't even choose his own race for the mother, but choose a white egg because it was better.
Then he tiger parented the shit out of them.
Yeah, she got to take a break after 16 years of muscle memory. I'm sure it all came back to her pretty quick.
I've expected that in thirty years time nearly everyone on the winners podium will be a genetically optimized IVF baby. But her father was twenty years ahead. Your not witnessing a rejection of optimization, your witnessing its embodiment and inevitability.
Actually there is a lot to admire about her Dad. He came here as a Chinese dissident, worked as a busboy, got an advanced degree and had a daughter that was an Olympian … not too shabby 😎
I’m not saying I don’t admire him. Or that I don’t appreciate what Liu. I’m really putting that issue to the side.
I’m saying that genetic enhancement is going to be a requirement for elite performance going forward, which is a pretty big change to the human condition.
And that in at least some extreme cases it will involve one parent choosing superior egg/sperm over the egg/sperm of a partner to raise the children with.
Again, this is an example of max optimization.