Sportsmanship/legitimacy

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 151910

My yesterday's reply did not materialize, so I think I'll try again.


> > a_svirn:
> > Anyway. Because of this "culture of the game", as you put it, the
> > rules simply aren't working. There is a rule that no underage
wizard
> > can participate; a bit of cheating - et voila! a fourteen year
old
> > enters the lists (and stays there).
>
> Geoff:
> A fourteen year-old who did not put his name into the competition.
His
> name was placed there as part of a carefully camouflaged plot for
his k
> idnap, torture and assassination.

a_svirn:
Yes we all are aware of that. But it wasn't the issue under
discussion.

>
> a_svirn:
> > The hosts gain an unfair advantage (an extra champion), the
guests
> > understandably outraged, but there is nothing to be done about
it.
>
> Geoff:
> Consider the 1936 Berlin Olympics
.

a_svirn:
Well, I have to say, I have some reservations about Dumbledore, but
even so I wouldn't equate him with Hitler.


> a_svirn:
> > Harry, the second Hogwarts champion, has *no* de jure standing
> > whatsoever - he simply shouldn't be there, but it doesn't deter
him
> > from participating and winning the tournament. What exists de
> > facto is eventually legitimised. And the rules in effect loose
their
> > meaning and cease to be.
>
> Geoff:
> Again, he didn't want to participate; he was told by Crouch that
he
> had to because he had (unknowingly) been drawn into a binding
> magical contract. He didn't want to take part or win.

a_svirn:
Again, it's not about Harry. There is no need to defend him at every
turn. But the very existence of this magical contract into which one
can be "unknowingly drawn" is a perfect example of cheating
incorporated into the rules. In our world there is no shortage of
individuals who cheat and trick people into unfair agreements and
contracts, but if and once you prove that foul play was involved
such contracts can be annulled. These magical contracts cannot be
declared null and void however much foul play evident to everyone is
involved. That means that Dumbledore practically hands a perfect
instrument for cheating to anyone interested. And does it officially
in all accordance with the rules.

What is even more important in-my-not-so-humble-opinion is that in
our world any contract is at least a two-sided affair. And either
there are means to ensure that *both* sides fulfill their
obligations, or, if one of them fails to do so, such contract can be
broken. A magical contract, however, is a one-sided bargain.
Champions are compelled to go on, no matter what happens, but their
hosts and the jury are not compelled to be fair and stick to the
rules. This means making mockery out of the very idea of rules. The
hosts break blatantly the most fundamental rule of the tournament by
introducing an extra champion, the judges award points on a whim,
but can you appeal, or leave the tournament in protest? No, you can
not. All you can do is to grit you teeth a go on. You got ambushed
and attacked, presumably by a member of the jury, and again you have
no choice, but to stay. Even though by now you have every reason to
believe that your life is in danger and not from dragons and
mantichores either. (And if you express your indignation too loudly
there is a giant bloke to shake sense into you.) Magical contracts
in effect make hostages out of champions, completely at the mercy of
the hosts and the jury and pretty much everyone else. The question
is therefore WHY did Dumbledore feel it necessary to introduce them?
To include one rule that renders all the other rules defunct?

> > Magpie:
<snip> If one lives in an area where there is no one
>
> > to enforce the law,  or for whatever reason people are allowed
to break
>
> > the laws without any consequences, for instance, it is usually
called a
> > "lawless" place. If you're "allowed" to cheat the rules might as
well not
> > exist.  There's a difference between "rules" and "what you can
get away
> > with on a given day."
>
> Geoff:
> I agree there is a problem, certainly in the real world, in this
area.

a_svirn:
Ah, but do you think there is a problem in the Potterverse? 
Particularly
at Hogwarts during the TWT?