Posted without comment...

Imagine there's a wide, expansive playing field somewhere, where a large group of people are playing some sort of game. Back and forth they run, quite happily tossing the ball from person to person as they play.

But outside of the playing field there's a small group of people who aren't playing--but just standing to the side watching. As the hours go by, the members of this group continue to stand off to the side while doing nothing but watch the seemingly happy people on the field run up and down.

What's the problem--too many players on the field already?

"No, it's not that," says one, when asked, "we've been invited to come play several times--in fact, they say the game is actually more fun the more players you have."

What, then...?

"Well, there's a lot of reasons, " he continues, "Myself, I need some proof that this is actually the right game to play. I don't want to waste my time playing a game that's not the right one, you know."

What kind of proof are you looking for, then?

"Well, you know, some hard evidence that this game is the best game out there. A scientific study, you know, that shows conclusively that this game is the most fun game in the world. Then, I'd know that this is the right game and I'll gladly come play."

"I have a problem with the rules," adds one woman, "Why do they throw the ball there? Why do you have to run over here when that signal is given? I don't understand... The rules are so complicated... When I understand why the rules are what they are, then I'll come play."

How did the people playing the game understand the rules, then?

"They don't..." scoffs one guy, "In fact, as you can see, our group here clearly has more intelligent and educated people than those playing the game. None of them understand the rules any more than we do. Obviously, none of them have thought critically about how the game is played like we have. If they were as smart or as educated as us, I doubt they'd be quite so enthusiastic about playing."

"I heard some stories about the creator of this game that caused me to wonder," adds one man, "I think the game is good, but I won't commit to playing it while I keep hearing stories of questionable behavior from people who played the game in the past."

"Have you noticed that all the referees are men?" says another woman, "How can that be fair? I'd come play for sure if there was only a few female referees..."

So, are the male referees calling the game incorrectly, then?

"Well...no, not as far as I know..." she continues, "but I just think a certain percentage of the referees should be women. When they let a woman call the game, then I'll definitely come play."

"There are a lot of people who say we shouldn't play this game," another adds, "in fact, that this is by far the worst game in the world to play. I think the game is fun, myself, but I can't commit to playing when there are so many educated, intelligent people like me who say I shouldn't be playing. What if they're right? Then, I'd look pretty stupid... I'll come participate when everyone else agrees that this is the right game to play."

So, which game do they say you should be playing?

"Well...they're a little vague in that aspect." he continues, "No one's really clear on which game we should be playing instead. But they're all very, very clear, though--that we should most definitely NOT be playing this one."

"It's not that I want to find a different game," another one adds, "This game is probably the right one to play. We'll just come play when we're sure and when our concerns are removed..." The others all nod enthusiastically in agreement.

But, as the hours and days go by, the people continue to play happily in the field while the others stand on the sidelines and watch...