Bigger Stronger Faster Documentary

I'll go ahead and begin by saying I've never taken anabolic steroids and I never will.  However, Bigger Faster Stronger is a great documentary about steroid use and the different perceptions of drugs, cheating, and the means of achieving success in America.  It is a little long and a few segments could be shortened but it brings up valid arguments for both sides, mainly pro-steroids.

It begins with the author and his two brothers idolizing Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hulk Hogan, and Sylvester Stallone while growing up.  All three idols have either admitted to using or been caught.  Now that Schwarzenegger is the Governor of California it seems as though he is against steroids.  But, he still sponsors a competition which does not test for steroids.

Basically, the documentary is searching for the line between accepted behavior and performance enhancing behavior.  The fact is our society is hypocritical when it comes to drugs and cheating.  Our slogan could be "we have a drug for that".



Advertisements are shown so often it's practically programmed into us: Have a cold in the day?-- Dayquil. Cold at night?-- Nyquil.  Headache?-- Tylenol or Advil.  Having trouble sleeping?-- Ambien.  Problem in the bedroom?--Cialis or Viagra.

We're quick to push drugs until the word "steroid" is dropped.  Then, it's like there's an army of men holding red flags with performance enhancer written across them.  Are steroids that terrible or are we programmed to believe that?  What is the definition of a performance enhancer?

People wear glasses and contacts or have eye surgery to help their vision.  We lift weights to enhance our performance.  Why do you drink coffee?  If it didn't have caffeine and help you stay awake and alert would you still drink it?  Many people take amphetamines Adderal to study or write papers.

Many would argue the line for performance enhancers is drawn between what is legal and illegal.  The pro-steroid argument would be why are they illegal.  Are they illegal because they are dangerous or because that's what we're told?  How much does it really enhance performance?  I'm not going to be able  to take a couple cycles and hit 73 home runs in a season or throw a ball 100 miles an hour.  It's just not going to happen.  Everyone wants to point to steroids for being the reason these guys hit this many home runs.  Why don't we ever hear about the baseballs being harder than ever and all of the new parks having smaller dimensions?

Bonds, McGwire, Palmeiro, etc. got paid to hit balls far and drive in runs and that's exactly what they did.  If they would have led the league in doubles no one would have said a word.

All I'm saying is think about it...