Spectatorship Is Also a Competition

Not only athletes, but China and spectators attending the Beijing Olympics are on display for the world, suggests this editorial from the People’s Daily Online. Like the athletes, spectators represent their home countries: Polite or enthusiastic, focused on sports or global issues, the onlookers can compete for attention. “Spectators are part of a competition's success,” the editorial suggests. “Based on this reasoning, every spectator is also participating in an invisible competition, competing to reach a more cultured level of behavior.” But as seasoned travelers or party planners know, there’s no single clear measure for “cultured level of behavior.” The Beijing Olympics will cost about $43 billion; as the host nation, China has invested significant time, money and social energy to present a tremendous show. The test for the country will be in how the government and people manage any problems that may emerge. – YaleGlobal