iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Replies

Rodger Sherman @rodger.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

NBC ran a piece where Mary Carrillo went to Norway to find out why they're so good at the Winter Olympics and i was yelling BECAUSE IT'S COLD THERE then she went to a little tiny ski jump for kids and was like "it's free, equipment is provided, & they don't emphasize results" and i was like. oh!

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Rodger Sherman @rodger.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

"free/cheap/non-toxic youth sports" feels like one of those skeleton keys that would have knock-on effects accidentally fix 100 unrelated things about America or, you know, even if it didn't, at least a bunch of kids would be able to have fun playing sports

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Courtney @idlewood.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

This basically describes my daughter’s hockey team, which is for kids with disabilities and it is five million times more enjoyable than her brother’s baseball team, where the other parents make it unbearable and it’s $$$$.

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Keith @kdb150.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

They don't even begin to promote the truly talented kids to specialized training until they're like 13. Until then they are encouraged to play around and have fun and just be kids.

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telsie 🦬 @telsie.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

our entire youth sports ecosystem is a disease

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Tori Espensen @drtoriespy.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Growing up, my local parks and rec department offered sports, dance classes, art, gymnastics, theater, etc for 25 dollars a semester. I didn't realize how incredibly lucky I was until I was an adult.

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Gopherballs @gopherballs.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

But how would my kid’s club team coach afford his $75,000 truck?

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Mentoch @mentoch.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Enough with the skeleton keys. I want luge keys.

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Nunufyor B. Swachs @flavorfree.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Ask how many young men thinking about being cops in order to "help their communities" would rather become youth soccer or football (gross) coaches (for similar salaries, of course), and you'll be surprised at the results.

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Ozma @rowyourbot.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

American culture may run against this though. Americans are SO competitive. When my kids played sports with no keeping score, they would always keep score. I have zero competitive traits, and one of my children is intensely competitive (but in a sportsmanlike way-not hostile to other kids)

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Alex Shephard @alexshephard.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

met a guy a couple months ago who started a girls basketball program like this in Philadelphia that immediately exploded for this exact reason

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Long Truong @lxtruong.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Literally would probably unlock American soccer dominance

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ETSY WITCH EVANGELIST @seanthonyp.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

FREE??? Why would we want to make access to sports equal for everyone???? It's not like athletic talent is randomly spread amongst a populous - everyone knows rich people are the best at sports, which is why access to travel leagues in the US cost thousands of dollars per year (conservatively).

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The bird says, "Prosecute ICE" @imadifferentbird.northsky.social · 19/02/2026

I remember in the '90s, all the righties had extremely mocking things to say about "midnight basketball" programs getting government funding. It's funny how similar programs pay dividends pretty much everywhere they are tried, but they involve money being used on poor people, and we can't have that

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Esc @escmike.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

I know its down on the list of beneficial effects but you wouldn't believe the lack of sportsmanship or inability to handle a loss I keep seeing amongst adults. Like severely incapable of losing even a game and being normal about it.

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Bl*esky User kidmojo99 @kidmojo99.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

And art. And vocational jobs. Etc.

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Tina Melquist @tinamelquist.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

We have it. It’s your local town’s rec sports league, often sponsored by the city Parks and Rec Department. But pushy parents usually pull their kids for a “more competitive environment” in a private league by about age nine. Perhaps worse, many parents even take out debt to pay for it!🤦‍♀️

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Mike (beep boop era) @latimeriidae.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Just Let Kids Do Fun Stuff, part 59637

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Shaenon K. Garrity @shaenon.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Any time in our history that a particular ethnic group excelled at a sport, everybody went "wow they must have a genetic advantage" and it turned out somebody just gave them fields and equipment as kids

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Jonathan Demaeyer @jodemaey.eurosky.social · 19/02/2026

actually the other way around, kids having fun is the end goal

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Charles Roberts, a historian @ckroberts.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

It's possible that I just don't see it, but I'm surprised there's not more concern about how many sports are becoming too expensive for a lot of people to succeed at, like travel baseball

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Defective Altruist (Official) @tokenwhitefriend.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

I mean there’s something there, look at women’s soccer outperforming men in the us.

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screeching harpy @cahuengah.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

I'm not even particularly athletic or sports inclined but being able to just have fun playing sports would have done wonders for me. Even as a kid in gym class it felt like "If you're not doing this well then it's wrong/pointless". Sports at every level felt way too competitive.

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Ollie McClellan @olliemcclellan.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Criminalize for-profit youth sports.

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Morgan K. Bell @morgankbell.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

I think too we really need to find a way to introduce kids to fun physical activities that are NOT NECESSARILY TEAM SPORTS. Teamwork is important of course but in my experience as a kid if you're not already good at it you just get bullied by your teammates because they want to win

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A Watchful Eye @gusman74.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

BREAKING⚡️⚡️⚡️ The Seattle Seahawks reject White House invitation! ❤️ 👇👇👇

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Muse of Ire @museofire.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Fun? Fun? I’m sorry, I don’t recognize that concept in this context /s

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Altaira Morbius @altairamorbius.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

This is more or less how sports functioned in my town growing up. Things weren’t free, but they were decently affordable (and provided a lot of teenagers with jobs as coaches/refs/lifeguards). And what do you know, our little town was constantly winning state competitions.

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Alex Merz 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇺🇦 @merz.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

See also: music and arts education.

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Graham Sinclair @esgarchitect.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

The school-wide, everyone does it, 7 teams per grade, model adapted from British school ethos, is a great leveller. Strongly recommend. Also, spent years in leafy suburbs asking “can we just play for the love of the game?” [Blank stares]

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Siebznet @siebzy.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

And for sports like cross-country skiing, the urban infrastructure is designed such that skiing is readily accessible by public transit, or even as a viable commuting mode.

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Kevin A @kba26.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

I really think the U.S. could pretty quickly rise to the top of international soccer even with it remaining like the 4th most popular sport here if we can just fix all the pay-to-play issues with youth soccer, and we're starting to get there

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Danger, Bees! @foolishhoomans.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

GOP watching this segment: "What if we just buy the kids guns?"

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Hextella @pastella.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Depression rates would probably plummet a decent chunk.

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bertin.bsky.social @bertin.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

"Sorry you can't be a ski jumper, Kaylenn. We spent all your public goods tax dollars on forever wars and a domestic gestapo."

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Nina Jo Smith @njsmith.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Right? Sports and arts.

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Andrew @autoquixotic.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Plugging the Youth $ports Podcast for anyone interested in deep diving this topic. . . Perspectives from Coaches, Athletes, Parents, Researchers, Referees, and anyone in-between!!!

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parkesy.bsky.social @parkesy.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

I read an article about Haaland that has stuck with me. It asked how a kid from lil' snowy Norway, where they ban non-rec leagues until a certain age, could become -HIM-. The jist is "the cream rises to the top" and bonus is both he and his poor opponents had fun and learned valuable life lessons

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howdytimbo @howdytimbo.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

this is so evident too when you look at how other nations value teaching youth *how to play the game/sport* and not focus so much (if at all) on results/wins whereas here that's immediately labeled soft "everyone gets a trophy" culture

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abenomicon @abenomicon.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

I think free public goods also immunize communities against grifts

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scotthoots.bsky.social @scotthoots.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

There have been published studies that show kids who have easy access to after school activities for little to no cost will commit fewer crimes later in life. All it takes is for one adult to show an interest in a kids life and it can change their whole trajectory.

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Mike @otterscholar.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

My first job out of college was coaching boxing/rugby as part of a gun violence prevention program. There was good evidence that the most dangerous time for teens was between when school ended and when parents got home from work. So providing free sports in the 3-5 time window reduced gun violence

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1nar1tofu.bsky.social @1nar1tofu.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Yeah but how will kids get better if they didn’t have to pay for private coaches and travel ball and AAU fees

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Nat @tazzari.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Having fun isn't the point. Satisfying pushy parents, grooming for elusive national league fortunes, *winning* is what it's about. If you can't win, go away. - these ideals seem to have eluded the Scandinavians.

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catboy BOObop 🔱👻 @beebop.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

i actually just watched a great video about this like 2 days ago

youtu.be

Why America is Slipping in the Olympics

YouTube video by Michael MacKelvie

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LARP Storyteller @larp-storyteller.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

But then how would rich parents get their otherwise dumb kids into prestigious colleges on the rowing team?

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Pierce Nettling @pnettling.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Most publicly funded sports and activities for all ages in the US didn't make it out of the 90s era funding cuts and privatization, particularly in cities with urban Black and brown youth. In suburbs, it exists through geographical means testing and increasingly only upper middle class areas.

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The Last Essential White Guy @far-far-away.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

"non-toxic", uhhh that might be impossible. Doesn't matter what league/level you have your kid in. Horrible, over-invested parents are gonna be a challenge.

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Alex Turner @turnerinroc.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

free/cheap/non-toxic *neighborhood* youth sports. Stuff kids can walk/bike to. These travel leagues are driving parents into an early grave with all the chauffer work.

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Tyger Lemieux @thetyger.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Saw a pretty good YouTube video on the general topic recently which makes similar points: youtu.be/7Y1moFmYKu4

youtu.be

Why America is Slipping in the Olympics

YouTube video by Michael MacKelvie

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precedentandprose.bsky.social @precedentandprose.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

The US seems more likely to move in the direction of gambling on youth sports than "make it free and fun".

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thejenscho.bsky.social @thejenscho.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Love this!

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Fighter-Lawyer Concept 🏳️‍⚧️ @fighterlawyer.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

No, this is 100% correct

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Kate Lavery @katelavery.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

They don't stratify kids into travel teams at six years old, either, they prioritize fun, participation, and teamwork.

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R. Wm. "Ruedii" 🦊🐧 🥖🔞 @rwruedii.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

There are a huge list of things that should be free/cheap as well as non-toxic. You know, schools, medical care, education-based child care, good public transit, etc.

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GUWonder @guwonder.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

The pro and con in Scandinavian countries is that they track kids into more specialized areas earlier on than we do in the US. But if a kid doesn’t start early in a sport and/or keep doing it and just it as the focus, the chances to participate are more limited.

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shackleford.bsky.social @shackleford.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

They also excel at sports where you can win many medals in a single Olympics, not to mention multiple competitors from the same country can win. Canada, for example, is really good in hockey and curling where there is only potential to win 4 medals total.

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sharkastic.bsky.social @sharkastic.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

You start with sports and then all of a sudden you'll have public healthcare, and who wants that?* *sarcasm

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👻 All Ellas Eve 👻 Evie's Strongest Sister @moonstruckella.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

America will complain about kids not playing outside/being on they dang phone/being overweight but then eradicate every other avenue of play they have

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coffeeaddict416.bsky.social @coffeeaddict416.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

The American desire to optimize/max everything is so toxic. Let kids have fun

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Annie 🏃‍♀️☀️ @nowwithmorecheese.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

We do have that in some regards. It’s called school sports which is why we’re so good at the summer Olympics. Removing some further barriers for the more expensive sports however would absolutely be a good thing

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vmasten.bsky.social @vmasten.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

seems net positive either way

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Prettyman @thirdpartyinternet.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

How will small business entrepreneurs pull themselves up by the bootstraps if kids get free candy handouts like “an inalienable and equitable right to be play sports and be supported by the whole community in a way that is wholly disconnected from the profit motive” Rodger??????

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K E P S I C O @kepsico.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

...this post is going to stick in my mind for a while.

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magwheels42 is an Olivia Miles Stan Acct 🫖👓🏀 @magwheels42.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

What about if they get hurt? Is the healthcare free, too 🤔

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Bernie Hendriks @berniehendriks.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Have you considered that we tried this, and the most basic element of non-toxic children's sports (the participation trophy) has already become a totemic feature of right wing backlash that gets brought up by every freak from comedy to politics as the "downfall of the West"?

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Simon Bolivar @bolivarfiles.com · 19/02/2026

Just the health effects would be substantial

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Gerkinov 🌻🍉 @gerkinov.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Alphonso Davies got his start with Free Footie ... an after school program for kids who otherwise can't afford sports.

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Artist Formerly Known As Whoopty-Hell 🦋 @fanoftheland13.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

It’s as if all the answers are right there for a lot of things yet we just ignore them.

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Gay FC 🌈 @doclach.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

The youth sports industrial complex is a plague

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J @jkmiami89.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

And make youth sports all genders so girls don't just wind up getting fewer resources than boys!!

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Jamison @jamisondc.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Do many cities and towns not offer youth rec sports anymore? Genuinely curious... It seems rec sports exist at least in the Northeast. My town of 10,000 offers unisex soccer, basketball, baseball, and a host of arts programs for relatively cheap.

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