Survivor Instinct

Survivor Instinct
Second Thoughts and Sudden Thoughts About Survivor

Second Guessing Gary
When I first heard that Gary was planning on lying about his NFL past, I thought it was a good idea. Being a former pro athlete would make him a target on two levels (physical and financial), so lying seemed the way to go. I have since changed my mind.

Ultimately Survivor is a game about interpersonal relationships and anything that prevents someone from being themselves is a detriment to them in the game. Most sane and sensible people, like Gary, are not used to lying. At the very least, the others are bound to sense that something is just not quite right. Furthermore if they have a good reason to believe Gary is really lying (I think Danni will be able to convince them) then he is done for sure.

So how should Gary have dealt with his quarterbacking past? There are two issues that have to be handled and each to a certain extent can be dealt with the attitude of "that was so long ago." First the money issue, "that was 25 years ago and NFL players didn't make as much money as they do now, especially back-up QBs like I was." Also he could say that he didn't make enough money to retire on during his NFL career. That's why he works now in land development. Plus he has kids in college, etc., you get the picture.

Similarly he can allay their fears of his physical ability by saying that playing in the NFL hurts players later in life (it's true, bad knees - the whole bit, plus a shorter life expectancy). Gary could say "look I have trouble playing a round of golf now, let alone competing with twenty year-olds in a Survivor challenge."

However this can't help Gary now. He's started his lame web of deceit and it will end up being his downfall. To make things worse, he really is a bad liar.

"Remember Jerry, it's not a lie if you believe it."
        George Costanza, Seinfeld

"When in doubt, tell the truth."
        Mark Twain

Canadians on Survivor
Survivor Producer Mark Brunett recently brought up the prospect of Canadians on the American version of Survivor (for more info see yesterday's Survivor News Flash). I would welcome them. Survivor is a game about people and people from other countries would make it more interesting. How about having a Survivor Mother Tongue English? Native English speakers from Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand would get to compete. Would anyone else be interested in such a season of Survivor?

Survivor Maps
Look what I found: Survivor Guatemala Maps . These maps show the lake the Survivors are living on as well as where their camps are located. Tribal Council is also listed, along with several Challenge beaches.

Tomorrow night: Episode 3 preview.