# Should this be pitted - "Competitive Eating"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 24, 2005, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632 "2005-11-24T23:55:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/1 "2005-11-24T23:55:19Z")
I was just reading about a turkey eating contest held on Thanksgiving. This reminded me of other items I’ve seen on this “sport”. To me, it seems rather crass in view of the large amount of starvation in the world. However, one could also make the argument that auto or aircraft racing are terrible wastes of natural resources. I also find the idea just generally revolting. What say you? Should this be given a full-fledged pitting complete with cuss words? Mods, move to GD if you like. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/2 "2005-11-25T00:31:55Z")
I can’t find it in my heart to get massively het up over competitive eating … I just file it under “some people have bloody weird ideas about entertainment”. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/3 "2005-11-25T00:39:34Z")
I put it in the same league as politicians from Massachusetts-mildly amusing but bereft of real value to society as a whole. ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/4 "2005-11-25T00:50:03Z")
No. Actually, it’s not really (ahem) chewy enough for GD either, so off it goes to IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Side\_of\_the\_Floyd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bb73d2/32.png) [@Dark\_Side\_of\_the\_Floyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Side_of_the_Floyd)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/5 "2005-11-25T02:10:09Z")
I think it’s pretty disgusting, but I have no real problem with it. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/6 "2005-11-25T03:05:52Z")
Starvation in the world does not equal a shortage of food. The problem that causes starvation is the poor distribution of that food. It is a complex problem and shouldn’t be just glossed over in that extremely simplistic (and wrong) way. Even if there is a natural disaster like a famine in Africa, there is still more than enough food but we have to get it to them. Part of that is a short-term logistical problem but that can usually be overcome. The long-term problem is governments that not only distribute resources unevenly, but sometimes confiscate food and other resources from people that desperately need it. That is a common model in Africa and parts of Asia and is difficult to fix without military intervention. Don’t worry, those 40 hot dogs were never going to end up in that Ethopian child’s mouth no matter what happened. You can find comfort or despair in that. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/7 "2005-11-25T03:18:20Z")
What **Shagnasty** said. Hell, during the Great Famine in Ireland, while the people were starving, food was being shipped OUT of the country, overseas from what I’ve read. Besides, even if it is ultimately wrong, I’m sure these people pay for it later. Remember _Stand By Me_, that story that Gordy told about Lard-Ass Hogan? ---
**Author:** ![Diamonds02](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/8 "2005-11-25T04:43:19Z")
I just hate it when they show people on tv throwing that shit back up. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/9 "2005-11-25T04:45:08Z")
Anyone watch tonight’s CSI? And I say no to the pitting as famine is more of a political problem than anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/10 "2005-11-25T14:45:23Z")
I wasn’t thinking along the lines of “that food should go to Ethiopia”. It’s true that starvation is more of a political problem. Rather, it just strikes me as insensitive to have eating contests when others have little. Hence my use of the word “crass” in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Linty\_Fresh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Linty\_Fresh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linty_Fresh)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/11 "2005-11-25T14:50:28Z")
Nothing to add to the topic. I just wanted to say that I think that a thread criticizing competitive eating contests started by a poster named **Mach Tuck** is just a _little_ funny. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/12 "2005-11-25T15:18:55Z")
> [@Linty Fresh](#): > > Nothing to add to the topic. I just wanted to say that I think that a thread criticizing competitive eating contests started by a poster named **Mach Tuck** is just a _little_ funny. I don’t get it. “Mach Tuck” is an aerodynamic problem that occurs when an aircraft goes supersonic. Is there another definition I don’t know about? ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/13 "2005-11-25T16:35:40Z")
> [@Mach Tuck](#): > > I wasn’t thinking along the lines of “that food should go to Ethiopia”. It’s true that starvation is more of a political problem. > > Rather, it just strikes me as insensitive to have eating contests when others have little. Hence my use of the word “crass” in the OP. I love watching them myself. However I don’t feel the same way you do about competitive eating and it being a sign of inequity. I do feel the same way about conspicious commercial consumption though. The sight of a $90,000 car bothers me, but people forcing down food which only costs about $10-15 does not. Most people in the US can afford to buy enough baked beans, turkey or eggs to eat until they vomit if they really want them. A competition on who can spend the most healthcare dollars would be even more bothersome. If they every make that a sport then I’ll protest. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/14 "2005-11-25T17:12:03Z")
> [@Wesley Clark](#): > > A competition on who can spend the most healthcare dollars would be even more bothersome. If they every make that a sport then I’ll protest. The pit crew for Mary Tyler Moore’s plastic surgeon are hoping you’ll emulate Gandhi, not Ted Kaczynski. As a sport, I can’t give it too much credit toward the sum of human achievement, but then I find those spiritual exhultations of legitimate athletes like surfers and mountain climbers silly already. I suppose the days of competitive fucking (beyond the dreams of those Trojan internet ads) and competetive shitting are not far in our future. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/15 "2005-11-25T18:19:41Z")
Someone who Googled my name sent me a gleeful email informing me that there is a competitive eater with my (rather uncommon) name. I was mortified, so I guess I got a real-life sense of how I must feel about it. As an American, I will say that, even though I understand that a slightly-built Japanese fellow is apparently the King of the “sport,” I think of this…pursuit (it ain’t no sport) as an American thing. Within that context, I think it is a bit too illustrative of things that aren’t particularly good about American culture. Over-indulgence as a thing to celebrate, eating as a quantity not quality thing, placing competitiveness ahead of all else - even if you look like a fool doing it. Just…ugh. Then: meh. My $.02. Maybe not Pit-worthy, but kinda sad and embarrassing. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/16 "2005-11-25T18:50:54Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > even though I understand that a slightly-built Japanese fellow is apparently the King of the “sport,” Ah yes, [Takeru Kobayashi](http://www.watchmeeatahotdog.com/eaters/kobayashi/). Also see [his wiki entry.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeru_Kobayashi) I’ll say this - I _love_ to watch this guy kick ass. There are always huge guys whose eyes are popping out, sweating, and turning green. And then Kobayashi is just chugging along. Dip the \_\_\_\_\_\_ in water, eat 1/2 the \_\_\_\_\_. Dip the other 1/2, eat the other 1/2. Very methodical, very Japanese, and IMHO very awesome. In the blanks, please insert hot dogs, potato skins, etc. Some of you obviously disagree with this contests, but when I see Kobayashi on television, I stop and watch it. He’s an international superstar, akin to watching Michael Jordon play bball, Gretzky in Hockey, Magnus von Magnerson (sp?) in the World’s Strongest Man Competitions, etc. 🙂 - Peter Wiggen ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/17 "2005-11-26T17:51:30Z")
> [@Mach Tuck](#): > > To me, it seems rather crass in view of the large amount of starvation in the world. However, one could also make the argument that auto or aircraft racing are terrible wastes of natural resources. I agree completely. It doesn’t make me fighting mad, though…I don’t expect much from people to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/18 "2005-11-26T19:24:39Z")
> [@](#): > > I just file it under “some people have bloody weird ideas about entertainment”. I somewhat agree with this. People are allowed to engage in certain activities, and don’t require the approval of others. Normally human recreation is a waste of resources, though humans might require such rereational sessions to reach full productivity, and could be a net gain in resources - I don’t know. People do things as a result of being people. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/19 "2005-11-26T19:38:06Z")
> [@PeterWiggen](#): > > He’s an international superstar, akin to watching Michael Jordon play bball, Gretzky in Hockey, Magnus von Magnerson (sp?) in the World’s Strongest Man Competitions, etc. 🙂 People pay to watch eating contests? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2005, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632/20 "2005-11-27T03:23:30Z")
It 's been satirized on King of the Hill, so pitting it would be anti-climactic. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-be-pitted-competitive-eating/332632.md?page=2)