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... I had some suggestions [about fencing]. I thought that you could encourage surprise attacks. I thought that would be very good. I kind of liked the idea of arming one guy with a conventional sword but giving the other a pikestaff. My favourite was the idea of blindfolding one of the competitors or blindfolding them both and spinning them around a bit so they were a little bit unstable and then just pushing them towards each other. It would make each match go on a bit longer.

Bill Bryson#41

SportsCompetitionGamesInnovationRules

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker proposes unusual and chaotic modifications to fencing rules to extend the duration of matches.
In plain terms
I suggest changing fencing rules by using different weapons or blindfolds to make matches longer.
What can you take from it?
Changing rules creatively can alter outcomes in games or competitions.

Where it applies

  • game design
  • sports commentary
  • brainstorming

Putting it to work

  • redesigning games
  • proposing rule changes

Questions to consider

  • Should games be fair or fun?
  • How do rules shape competition?

Another view

It prioritizes duration over fairness or skill in sport.

More from Bill Bryson

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  3. Well, I didn't ever think about Australia much. To me Australia had never been very interesting, it was just something that happened in the background. It was …

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