Instant Gratification and Identity Theft

No, round-bottomed layman, you are not "a triathlete". You are a brand-conscious weekend warrior who has maybe completed a few triathlons -- and that is if you finished the real thing, not the sprint, relay or kids version.

The title of 'triathlete' confers a professionalism, and should only come as a reward for sweating fulltime in pursuit of one's sport.

Take the casual 'rugger' title so many boys and grownup boys tout. They carry this with unusual pride; as a definition almost. They imagine it pulls all the girls -- and it may -- but for every fake rugger stud with a fake diamond stud in his ear, I only see hollow craving for recognition. No, unless maybe you are the national team's scrumhalf you are not a 'rugger', you are just a student or office worker who plays or attempts to play rugby as your pasttime.

This vain, and in vain, need to upgrade also-rans to the bona fide reveals this generation's greed for instant gratification. More sadly, it reduces one's personhood: surely we are people first, and practitioners of our chosen interests second.