All That Glitters Is Not...Silver

silver.jpg

It ain't easy being silver...

Source: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
 

So you've won gold -- good for you! You've won bronze -- well done, you're a medalist! Silver.... eh... meh. Silver is the slighter sister of the medals, that somewhat middling ground that damns with faint sheen. A new study out of Cornell studied the reactions of medalists and found that silver medalists at the Olympics tend to compare themselves against athletes better off than they -- while bronze medalists do the opposite, and compare themselves with people who did worse. Today, we're talking about why second place is so hard on people, and we want to hear from you -- if you've won silver, or second, how did it feel?

1:56 PM ET | 08-20-2008 | permalink

 

Comments (Send a comment)

I know all about this feeling. I'm still bitter that Trevor Sheeley beat me out for high school valedictorian by .0001 of a point. No one knows what a salutatorian is.

Sent by Amanda | 3:46 PM ET | 08-20-2008

As the youngest child of six siblings, I see this dynamic on a regular basis.
So often I have seen my older sister feel a sense of being "second guessed", or "left out" in the family news, gatherings, or discussions. I being the baby have always had the baby card to play and therefore anything I fell short in was allowed whereas the older 2 brothers have always had a "winners" aura about them regardless of any failings or successes they carry out in their lives.
Thankfully we are close but we have never kept it secret from one another where we all fit in to the "rankings" of our children.
When I succeed I always seem like even if I didn't do my best to get there I feel like can simply be rewarded for "doing my best".

Sent by Jeremy | 3:51 PM ET | 08-20-2008

In the sixth grade, I had placed second in a science test competition for 4-6th graders. The first place was the high favored to win. What made this memorable was that I was one correct question from earning first and winning the prize to Space Camp. I was disappointed about not making it to Space Camp, but I was happy that as a female I placed higher than all the boys save for one at my school.

Sent by Julie | 3:55 PM ET | 08-20-2008

There appears to be a gender difference in the disappointment with second place. The one female caller was undaunted. Any comments?

Sent by Marcia Marvin | 3:55 PM ET | 08-20-2008

I think the good Doctor overlooked a major fact of sports. In a lot of events, espically team sports when you place 3rd you have won your last match as oppossed to 2nd where you have just lost your last match. for example if Canada plays Mexico in soccer for the gold and lose they will be awarded the silver metal but still have the sting of defeat, however if the USA plays China for the bronze There last match will be a win to recive this medal. So the Gold and the Bronze winners on stand on the platform after wins but the Silver team has just lost the game of there life. I think this may a big factor in the Silver blues therory

Sent by Lenny French | 4:41 PM ET | 08-20-2008

Send a Comment

Comments are reviewed and edited by NPR prior to display. All comments will be read, but not all will be posted.







 (privacy policy)

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.



   
   
   
null


 
E-mail this page Print this page
 
 
 

Bloggers

Neal Conan

Neal Conan

Host,
Talk of the Nation

 

Scott Cameron

Scott Cameron

Editor,
Talk of the Nation

 

Sarah Handel

Sarah Handel

Associate Producer,
Talk of the Nation

 

Barrie Hardymon

Barrie Hardymon

Assistant Editor,
Talk of the Nation

 

 
 
Get My Vote promo

Share Your Story

What would it take to get your vote? Share text, audio or video.

 
 

 
 

About Blog of the Nation

Blog of the Nation is the official blog of the NPR talk show Talk of the Nation. For more information about the blog, the show and everything else in between, please be sure to read our show's Frequently Asked Questions guide and the discussion rules.

 
 

Related News Feeds

 
 

Contact Us:

Want to contact us privately? Write us!

 
 
 

Search the Blog


 
 

Browse Topics

Services

Programs