Of obvious interest and importance in racing (and life in general) is the concept of fairness. Undoubtedly, people would quit racing if they felt that race events were being operated unfairly. Fairness serves as the heart and core of our sport. Without a system of fairness, racing becomes nothing more than a farcical endeavor in motorsports futility.
Of greater concern, however, is the awareness that, although we are doing a good job of maintaining fairness within racing, we seem to be experiencing a loss of fairness within society. It seems that everybody has his or her own standard of fairness-based on the specific values by which they choose to live their own lives.
Some might argue by asking what’s wrong with allowing people the freedom to determine their own individual standards of behavior. Unfortunately, too much individuality in this regard ultimately leads to a collapse of moral uniformity.
Consequently, when there is no uniformly accepted standard for behavior in general, people consider fairness in relation to their own standards and circumstances only, without proper regard for others. Sadly, this seems to accurately describe today’s society far too accurately.
The more people are allowed to determine their own individual standards of behavior apart from any consideration of its impact upon others, the more fractured society becomes. Individuals soon become concerned solely with their own lives and what they believe benefits them the most, without concern for others with whom they interact in life. In other words, people determine what they think is “fair” to them, regardless of its impact on anyone else.
In society’s attempt to remain objective and unbiased as it relates to personal conduct and behavior, it is creating a total lack of standardization, which will slowly lead to social instability, uncertainty and chaos.
It has become a commonly agreed fact that children need and desire boundaries and behavioral guidelines as they mature throughout their adolescent years. And even as adults, we function more effectively and more comfortably within an understandable set of standards. While we may not always agree on what those standards should be, most people will agree on the necessity of some standards of conduct and behavior.
Let’s accept the reality that standards are essential for the reasonable and equitable flow of life. Therefore, do not resist them, and by all means, don’t try to cheat them. Rather, be grateful for standards. They are designed for our benefit.
