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> Every person competing in the talent show knew, of course, that the only thing that mattered was their performance that day. Whether and how much they practiced wasn't really important. They all wanted, not just to do their bests, but to perform flawlessly. And this is the path my thoughts took: Perfect execution makes up for a great deal of difficulty.
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> Anyhow, more respectably random thoughts for your dissection.
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> gab"Nami?"by

Yeah, I'd say the world definitely rewards appearances.

This same sort of thing bothered me in school--not talent contests, but academically. Should I take an easier course, knowing I could get an "A" and protect my GPA (subject not difficult, therefore performance flawless)....or should I take a more challenging course, requiring more effort, and risk a less than perfect result? I might learn more from the challenging course (including life-skills such as perserverance, discipline, etc. as well as the actual subject matter)...but that is not what is going to be reflected on your transcript. It looks better if you get the "A".

Kind of related, but from the other side of it:

... is the Bible story of the widow, who to all appearances gave little--only a few coins--to the temple for an offering. That little, however, was all she had. Christ honored her motive rather than her ability to "perform" financially. What she appeared to give was not what was important.

koala"leaving it at that"mom