The Dangers of Chess to the Public...

I think it's about time we put our heads together on how to create the much needed controversy for the chess world to get the exposure it deserves.

We'll accomplish it quite simply and there should be plenty pieces of the pie to go around for everyone who knows how to keep their head in the game and follow simple rules.

We simply approach this thing from a different angle, the unexpected one.

I'll form the committee and head up the council on the dangers of chess.

We tried giving the public awareness on the many benefits of chess.

They didn't respond the way they needed to.

So now instead of appealing to their desire for gain, we hit 'em where it hurts and go for the jugular with their fear of loss.

Of course, the threat is more dangerous than the execution in this case too, like so many others.

So with the dangers of chess in the public eye and mainstream media, we now need some chess experts to come in like knights in shining armour and set the record straight.

In the process, more people are exposed to all the original benefits we tried to spread the first time when they wouldn't give chess the time of day and so people who never would have listened before are now transformed into supporters of chess.

Share your ideas on how you'd like to participate here...

Okay, first suggestion for committee meeting schedule for Wed, Thurs and Fri.

I see no problem with that.

Any other ideas?

Danger #1:
"'Chess is a big fat waste of time' -Gary Kasparov"

-chessplayer11

Brilliant. For Danger #1

A world champion quoted saying how dangerous chess is as a waste of time.

Excellent work, doctor.

LOL

Okay, one danger down. We need to dig up a few more.

Someone get the links to those nutcases who killed each other over chess games recently, that made the big stink and the media had a field day with it.

I want someone with ties to the nuthouses that say obsessive chess playing led their patients to psychosis.

You get the idea. It doesn't have to be perfect at first. Our editors on the committee will handle the rest. But the more prestigious the organizations and universities we cite, the better.

I think everyone knows what their roles are. If not, just get busy finding the information that proves how dangerous chess is to the public and post your findings here at the central headquarters.

We'll take it from there.

Now let's get moving.

Consider the opportunity cost.

Any time spent playing Chess could have been spent in a seance to contact Eleanor Roosevelt.

Yes, that's another important danger to Chess.

Alien contact is highly likely.

Perfect Ghost.

Opportunity cost.

What chess is costing you with the time and money it eats up from your life. Time and money you could have invested more wisely, more productively, more profitably.

So now we've got:

Chess Dangers:

1. Waste of Time (World Champion's own admission)

2. Opportunity Cost (Could have fed the hungry, housed the homeless and cured the incurable instead)

These are great, so let's keep the ball rolling and build some momentum.

For the US market, I would suggest emphasizing that it is decadent, immoral, and leads one down the path to perdition.  It's almost as evil as alcohol.

Now we're talking, Woton. Great work.

3. Decadent, immoral and leads to destroying lives.

We're getting there now.

4. Inflates the ego. A good chess player is believed by the public (and himself) to be some kind of genius. Unfortunately, a good chess player is only good at memorizing board game puzzle combinations. Hubris will be his downfall.

(learningthemoves) Perfect Ghost.....I love that ghost !

Good point doctor.

Dangers of Chess:

1. Waste of time

2. Opportunity Cost

3. Decadently immoral

4. Inflates Ego

5. Alien contact imminent

Yes, me too, Ghostess Lola, though I'm also very partial to the Ghostess. 

Okay, so 4 dangers down. Only a few more to go and our case for the campaign will be so airtight a _____ couldn't sneeze inside it.

Oh yes, and let's not forget Danger #5, the alien problem. I'll update the list.

Actually, the problem with woton's logic is that this isn't a danger.  I do, however, see where woton is going in regard to the US market.

If you want to appeal to the puritans of the USA, make the point that girls might actually be empowered by learning and playing Chess.

They won't like that at all.

I'm pretty sure he was being satirical.

I hope, anyways.

Chess has the potential to destroy the moral fabric of America.  Heavens, we may even become liberals.  If that isn't a danger, I don't know what is.

I wasn't.

Now wake up.

Thank you for your contribution NM. This brings us to:

Dangers of Chess:

1. Waste of time

2. Opportunity Cost

3. Decadently immoral

4. Inflates Ego

5. Alien contact imminent

6. Dangerous High Levels of Stress

woton is wrong again.  Chess won't make us liberals.

Heavens liberals don't even accept the concept of competition and winning.

Again, addressing the goal of this thread, if you want to portray Chess as dangerous, make the point that the Queen is powerful.