Playing devils advocate......so to the point of "I never understood why anyone would want to compete if not competing against the very best." do you hold this statement true in all facets of life/sport/competing? Like if you just started playing basketball, would you go out to local courts where you know some of the best recreational players play and get stomped? Or tennis is a good example if you know of Alta around Atlanta. Would you start competing against one of the higher ranking tiers as a beginner? If a person did then they wouldn't even stand a chance. And also they couldn't improve because they were playing against someone who so much better they probably couldn't even return a ball.
Granted in competitive bbq you don't have to play "defense" so to speak as it isn't like another team is coming over to try and mess up your food. So those comparisons might be apples to oranges to some folks and I say them somewhat joking as well, but I think they hold true to an extent for folks that say things like "go big or go home" or "if you don't play with the big boys then why come out", etc. Not everyone thinks the same way. I just don't get how people don't get that. Some people look at it as a hobby and aren't as into it as others. Some get that, some don't.
Oh I just thought of a more accurate comparison.....if someone who just started playing the piano went to a piano competition (do they even have those? lets assume they do for the sake of this post
) should they compete in the top ranked national concert pianists? Ah and another good one. If you just started playing chess would you want to immediately start playing Garry Kasparov?
Ummm.... You're comparing physical activity of which one can get harmed to cooking. Not equals, but, YES. When I competed in triathlon, I did compete against pros, actual factory sponsored professionals whose sole income was derived from participating in this sport. I have a $6,000 titanium bike that I purchased used from the Quintana Roo factory after their competitor rode it in Hawaii. My last one was a 1/2 Iron Man, and at 46 years old I was 1st out of 500 men in the swim. Anyone will tell you, that's a sure kiss of death, I watched as 1/2 of the pack passed me in the run... But, at my age, and only 5'6" tall, competing against 26 yr old kids who are 6'3" tall, I think I did ok finishing middle of the pack, and frankly I'm damned proud of it. Would I have wanted to compete against a bunch of 46 yr old drunkards who cannot swim or run at professional race speed, in race conditions? No. Did I have a sinners chance in hell of winning this race, NO. I knew it ahead of time. Then, using my own logic against me, why did/would I compete? Because it's about measuring ones self, setting goals, seeing how you're doing, challenging ones self. That's why. I wanted to see if I could push those kids around the lake, and damned if I didnt do it. Was only a few weeks ago my daughter asked me about those days and that race. She came to a realization of what a 1.5 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.2 mile run in 95 degree heat with 95% humidity can do to a person, and that the old man was a "bad ass".
But, it's still different. BBQ is a hobby, especially competition. There are guys out there competing whose income is derived from BBQ, but not solely from competition. We're all just participating in a fun hobby.
As to the piano, yes. Matters not whether you've played 6 months or 6 or 60 years, if you want to compete, then compete.
Otherwise, why compete? Seriously, why? Just enjoy cooking at home for friends. But if you want to compete, then by all means, DO IT.
