Betal: Oh, come on. Competition is the essence of life. Without it, we’d just be watching people jog for fun.
Vikram: Exactly! Imagine the tranquillity. No more fans yelling their heads off. No more businessmen getting into the trap of one-upmanship but actually focusing on their own work. Kids not getting crushed by ‘adult’ ideas of failure or loss….
Betal: Then what? Meditate together? Hum ‘Om’ instead of shouting ‘Goal!’?
Vikram: That would be great for the soul. And think of the savings on those overpriced tickets or displays of wealth. You could buy a small island with that money.
Betal: True, but then what would you do on your island? Play non-competitive beach volleyball?!Vikram: I’d build sandcastles. No competition, just pure creative happiness. The Japanese in 8th-14th c. would play a form of football, kemari, the object of which was for all the players in a circle to keep the ball from touching the ground by kicking it about in the air.Betal: So, who wins?
Vikram: Exactly. Everybody.
Betal: Fine, you win.
Vikram: Actually, we both won.