Arms Race

by | Mar 18, 2025 | Sports

What evidence of the “arms race” do you currently see in sport? Use two examples that are not used in the book to highlight your response. What is the motivation for these organizations in taking this approach?

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

The “arms race” in sport refers to the escalating and often relentless pursuit of competitive advantage by organizations through the acquisition of talent, technology, and resources. Just like a military arms race, where nations continuously build up their arsenals to stay ahead, sports teams and organizations invest heavily to gain even a marginal edge over their rivals.

Here are two examples of the “arms race” in sport that are not typically highlighted in general sports management books:

  1. The Rapid Evolution of Running Shoe Technology: In recent years, particularly in endurance running, there has been a dramatic acceleration in the development and adoption of highly specialized footwear. Starting with Nike’s Vaporfly and Alphafly series, which incorporate carbon fiber plates and lightweight, responsive foams, these shoes have been shown to improve running economy and potentially enhance performance. This innovation sparked an immediate “arms race” among other major athletic shoe

The “arms race” in sport refers to the escalating and often relentless pursuit of competitive advantage by organizations through the acquisition of talent, technology, and resources. Just like a military arms race, where nations continuously build up their arsenals to stay ahead, sports teams and organizations invest heavily to gain even a marginal edge over their rivals.

Here are two examples of the “arms race” in sport that are not typically highlighted in general sports management books:

  1. The Rapid Evolution of Running Shoe Technology: In recent years, particularly in endurance running, there has been a dramatic acceleration in the development and adoption of highly specialized footwear. Starting with Nike’s Vaporfly and Alphafly series, which incorporate carbon fiber plates and lightweight, responsive foams, these shoes have been shown to improve running economy and potentially enhance performance. This innovation sparked an immediate “arms race” among other major athletic shoe

  1. manufacturers (e.g., Adidas with their Adios Pro, ASICS with their Metaspeed series, Saucony with their Endorphin Speed and Pro). These companies have invested heavily in research and development to create their own versions of “super shoes,” each trying to outdo the others in terms of energy return, weight reduction, and aerodynamic efficiency. This technological leap has led to numerous world records being broken and has become a significant factor in elite runners’ equipment choices. Athletes sponsored by brands with the latest technology often have a perceived advantage, forcing other athletes and their sponsors to constantly seek the newest and most advanced gear.

  2. The Proliferation of Advanced Data Analytics and Sports Science in Motorsports (Beyond F1): While Formula 1 is well-known for its sophisticated data analytics, other forms of motorsport, such as MotoGP (motorcycle racing) and even top-tier rally racing (WRC), are increasingly engaging in a similar “arms race” driven by data and sports science. Teams in these series are now employing vast amounts of sensor data collected from the vehicles (suspension movement, engine performance, tire wear, etc.) and even the riders/drivers (heart rate, body temperature, G-forces experienced). This data is analyzed in real-time and post-race to optimize vehicle setup, driver/rider performance, and race strategy. Teams are investing heavily in data engineers, analysts, and sports scientists to interpret this complex information and translate it into competitive advantages, such as finding the optimal braking points, understanding tire degradation under different conditions, or tailoring driver/rider training regimens for peak performance. This mirrors the technology and data arms race seen in F1, demonstrating that even in sports less traditionally associated with high-tech data, the pursuit of marginal gains through advanced analytics is becoming increasingly prevalent.

The Motivation for Organizations Taking This Approach:

The primary motivation behind this “arms race” in sport is the relentless pursuit of competitive advantage and ultimately, success. This manifests in several key ways:

  • Winning and Performance: The most direct motivation is to improve on-field or on-track performance, leading to more wins, championships, and accolades. The belief is that superior talent, technology, or data insights will translate directly into better results.
  • Maintaining Relevance and Competitiveness: In highly competitive leagues and sports, standing still is akin to falling behind. Organizations feel compelled to invest in the latest advancements to keep pace with their rivals and avoid becoming obsolete.
  • Financial Rewards: Success on the field often translates into significant financial benefits, including increased sponsorship revenue, higher ticket sales, greater merchandise sales, and larger media rights deals. The “arms race” can be seen as an investment aimed at securing these financial advantages.
  • Prestige and Reputation: Being seen as an innovative and forward-thinking organization, constantly pushing the boundaries of performance, enhances a team’s or brand’s prestige and reputation, which can attract better talent, sponsors, and fans.
  • The Desire for Marginal Gains: In elite-level sport, the difference between winning and losing can be incredibly small. Organizations are often willing to invest significant resources to gain even a tiny percentage point of improvement in performance.
  • Fan Engagement and Entertainment: While not always the primary driver, the “arms race” can also contribute to fan engagement. The spectacle of cutting-edge technology or the acquisition of star players can generate excitement and interest among the fanbase.

In essence, the “arms race” in sport is driven by a complex interplay of competitive pressures, financial incentives, and the inherent human desire to be the best. Organizations believe that continuous investment in talent, technology, and resources is necessary to achieve and maintain a winning edge in an increasingly competitive landscape.

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