Letter to the Editor

Harvey Mansfield’s (“Unmanly Athletes,” June 19) distinction between professionalism and competitiveness makes little sense. Any good professional strives for a monopoly in his area just like the athlete, even though he might not admit it. But even if Professor Mansfield is right that athletic pursuits are more competitive than sedate professionalism, why be surprised when people use whatever means necessary to win, including technology?

It’s fortunate that America’s military doesn’t subscribe to the manliness argument that using technology as an aid is wimpy, otherwise our soldiers would be at a severe disadvantage and our freedom in peril.

Sonia Arrison and Peter Thiel
San Francisco