• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
TeamLiquid Liquipedia LiquidDota LiquidHearth LiquidLegends
EDT 14:16
CEST 20:16
KST 03:16
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • WCS
  • Heroes of the Storm
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • BarCraft
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[PBOTW] Zest's Fast-Colossus into Storm1ASL5 Ro8 Preview Pt. 1 - Forget Bisu, here comes S19NationWars V: Final Four Preview19WCS Austin Challenger - Week 2 Preview (RO16)2Korea Weekly - Code S Season 2 Begins (2018)19
Community News
Patch 4.3.0 and Premium Arcade Maps11South Korea wins NationWars V41This Week in StarCraft2: April 14 - 200GuMiho, Patience advance to GSL Code S RO1666Community Update - April 19167Classic and ByuN advance to GSL Code S RO16232018 GSL S2 Cheerful Contest! (RARE GSL ITEM)59
StarCraft 2
General
South Korea wins NationWars V Patch 4.3.0 and Premium Arcade Maps SC2 General Discussion & Simple Q/A GuMiho, Patience advance to GSL Code S RO16 Community Update - April 19
Tourneys
[LRSL] Live Report Super Tournament 2018 OlimoLeague 2018 - Weekly KR Tournament [Nationwars V] Semi Finals + Grand Final [SCVRush] Bronze - Master[3] #3 [GSL 2018] Season 2 - Ro32 Group B
Fan Clubs
Zest Fan Club Mvp Fan Club The Scarlett Fan Club The Elfi Fan Club
Strategy
[PBOTW] Zest's Fast-Colossus into Storm [G] TheCore Lite - Advanced Keyboard Layout The LotV Zerg Help Me Thread [G] TheCore - Advanced Keyboard Layout Practice Partner Thread Season 1 - 2018
Custom Maps
[M] (4) Incandescence [R] SotIS Map Anybody? [M] (2) AVEX - Valkyrie Work In Progress Melee Maps [M] Refueling Station
Single Player
Mutation Week 102 Ranks/Tiers Mutation #102: Rumble in the Jungle Co-op Commander Guide: Dehaka Mutation #101: Violent Night Co-op Commander Guide: Fenix
Brood War
General
ASL5 TShirt and phone case Coach AI has arrived ! SC:R - list of features to be added/fixed Jaedong stream thread ASL5 Cheerful Contest NoRegreT + RAPiDCasting
Tourneys
[ASL5] Ro8 hero vs Mind BSL- Chobo Round 1: Cast by Vincent ! BSL 4 - Pro & Chobo Leagues ! [START] Small VOD Thread 2.0 Have At You #14 - April 22nd - $200+ Online Open
Strategy
[D] Flash's 1-1-1 Variation [Idea] Saving workers vs DTs Simple Questions, Simple Answers [Q] Is Sair/Reaver officially dead in 2015? Searching for Plays
Other Games
Other Games
[WoW] Legion Prismata is finally out! Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Nintendo Switch Thread Destiny 2 - PC/Xbox/PS4
CS:GO
DreamHack Marseille 2018 The Shuffle Truffle General Counter-Strike: Global Offensive ESL Pro League Season 7 The Big Patch Thread
Smash Bros
Smash Small VOD Thread SSB on Nintendo Switch
Heroes of the Storm
Deckard Cain General Discussion HotS: WP and Funny Moments Heroes Global Championship League Discussion HOTS guide collections MasterLeague.net joins the Liquid Network
Overwatch
General Discussion
LoL General
LoL Tournaments
LoL Strategy
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread European politico-economics QA mega thread [SFW] Random pics that make you laugh Dating: How's your luck? Ask and answer stupid questions here!
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread Korean Music Discussion What Are You Reading 2018 [TV] HBO's Westworld
Sports
2018 NFL and CFB season NBA Playoffs + Finals 2018 2017 - 2018 Football Thread NHL 2017-2018 Season Major League Baseball 2015
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread Mechanical Keyboard Guide The Ultimate Mouse Thread Simple Questions Simple Answers Mouse - Zowie Mico
TL Community
The Automated Ban List Ask TL Staff Anything eSport Events/Studios in Seoul/Busan Recent Gifted Posts Perth (Australia) players
TL Mafia
[M][N]MafiacalFeast I TL Mafia Community Thread Mafiacalfeast votes Active List of Mafia Games 2.0 TL Mafia Ban List 3.0
User Streams
[Stream] Indy [stream] ironchainsc2 [Stream] Zambrah [Stream] Future
Blogs
Featured Blogs
Greatest High Profile Best-of-Series Players …
Letmelose
The Good and the Bad
Mizenhauer
I went to Atlanta for my first COD Esports Eve…
kierpanda
SC20 Anniversary++
BigFan
Turn your game epic moments into ART
Glider
Regular Blogs
Dominaria Prerelease!…
WaveofShadow
2007 Blizzcon Autograp…
MarlieChurphy
The Dangers of Marijuana an…
ninazerg
gym in japan
FFGenerations
500 Days – A path of passio…
Ikirouta
3 Hatch Muta Meta-Analysis…
TheThrone
Hey, guys, I am Cannonf
Cannonf
Old Star Wars Skits
LegalLord
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1482 users

Defeat

Blogs > PiGStarcraft
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
PiGStarcraft
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Australia940 Posts
January 04 2014 08:07 GMT
#1
A few weeks ago I sat down to write a blog about IEM Singapore where I got eliminated 0-2 to Squirtle and 1-2 to Targa in the Open bracket on Day 1. When I tried to write about the trip and the day-to-day experiences it all seemed very dull. So instead I wrote this.


Defeat

Defeat isn't a sharp pain. Defeat isn't focused. Defeat isn't a slow and dreary pulling. Defeat isn't running isn't a hump in the road.

Defeat is a deafening thunder strike that rips us wholly from all that is dear. Defeat encompasses and obliterates all that we want and strive for. Defeat is all of our energy and efforts being balled up in front of our eyes and squeezed, smaller and smaller, to the size of a grain of sand, and then to disappear before our eyes. Defeat is when every fiber of our being is told it is worth nothing.

Defeat shakes us to our very core. In a flash we go from a fierce warrior holding the line, to a lone fisherman drowning at sea, alone and suddenly empty. It's incredible how quickly all of that hopeful energy and focus, all of our planned actions are suddenly for naught. Something about having so much of our energy count for nothing can't but scar deeply. To focus and devote ourselves to a cause, an effort or a battle, and then to lose. As we invested that part of ourselves to the battle, so was it ripped out when we were pronounced the loser.

As that driving part of our soul is ripped away before our eyes, the haze of pain is too great to see anything but a blur of pain. Even separated from that part, the echoes of its goals, its hopes, and its intentions wrack our mind. But as time passes the haze begins to clear, we can set our pain aside from us and slowly, ever so slowly, begin to embrace our new form. We examine the gaping hole inside us and shudder at the thought of missing so much of ourselves. As we look closer though, we realise that this hole is no cauterized wound, burnt and inhospitable. The skin is tender, cracked and dry, but it is not infertile. Vague wisps of grass poke through the surface, seeking their way, ever so slowly, into the crevice. We soon realise that the hole is not permanent. It will not stay hollow. As we test our step we realise we feel lighter, less encumbered and more free. We can walk in directions previously limited, and even leap in ways we didn't know existed. As we start down a new path, with the exuberance and joy of youth, so does the grass grow faster inside our wound, saplings begin to shoot upwards and transform into adult trees, bushes and undergrowth spread rapidly to fill anywhere that light can reach. Soon we are whole again. Healed, but also drastically changed. We would like to think we're stronger than before our defeat, but that isn't always the case. For now we just know we are different.

Defeat is what molds us. Defeat is the hottest forge-fire that molds the strongest steel. Defeat allows us to regroup. Defeat breaks the pig-iron blade we spent so long forging and forces us all the way back to the mines to find finer mettle. Our first blade is never a masterpiece. Neither is our hundredth. Only after many years and many lessons do we learn to craft something truly great.

The greatest champion is but the product of a thousand defeats.

****
Progamerwww.twitch.tv/x5_pig | pigrandom88@gmail.com | @x5_PiG | www.facebook.com/pigSC2
Thaniri
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
1168 Posts
January 04 2014 08:16 GMT
#2
A fellow man who has made this earth-shattering realization.

It's something that everyone knows, but few understand it.

Very few people know what it's like to face defeat after truly giving your heart and soul to win. The feeling of just wanting to cry, and yet you don't cry. You compose yourself and prepare for the next battle. It's a very strange experience, and hard to put into words.

You've expressed defeat beautifully, thank-you.
I find your ideas both intriguing and boring and would like to both subscribe and unsubscribe from your quantum newsletter.
Jemsk
Profile Joined May 2011
Australia3 Posts
January 04 2014 08:27 GMT
#3
Incredibly well written and insightful, Jared. Thanks for sharing this.
sths
Profile Blog Joined October 2012
Australia191 Posts
January 04 2014 08:49 GMT
#4
Australia Fighting!!!

P.S if the whole progaming thing doesn't work out your writing skills should open up the world of self help, I hear there is big money in that.
Drinksarlot
Profile Joined May 2011
Australia18 Posts
January 04 2014 09:20 GMT
#5
Fantastic
Nithix
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States183 Posts
January 04 2014 09:53 GMT
#6
Great blog, PiG. Do you write much outside of this?
Not even death can save you from me. - Diablo
Eskiya23
Profile Joined March 2010
Netherlands102 Posts
January 04 2014 10:19 GMT
#7
Very poeticly written, and sadly most of it is true. Defeat in any shape or form is quite a feeling in the stomach, I wish you the best !
Wisdom. Judgement. Execution. Stream: twitch.tv/eskiyasc2 Twitter: @EskiyaSC
BernabusStarcraft2
Profile Joined September 2012
Scotland109 Posts
January 04 2014 10:38 GMT
#8
Hope you do better next event Pig. Keep practicing it will pay off!
Bling. MC. DeMusliM. EG.
Musicus
Profile Joined August 2011
Germany21796 Posts
January 04 2014 11:41 GMT
#9
Wow you can write, great words Pig! Keep the attitude .
Nerchio | Serral | Scarlett | Rogue | soO | Solar | TY | Stats | Welcome back MMA!!!
StatixEx
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
United Kingdom779 Posts
January 04 2014 11:59 GMT
#10
are you quitting starcraft?
Frogsox
Profile Joined July 2011
Australia272 Posts
January 04 2014 13:35 GMT
#11
On January 04 2014 20:59 StatixEx wrote:
are you quitting starcraft?


Did you actually read the blog or just the heading? "The greatest champion is but the product of a thousand defeats.", seems much more indicative of someone who knows that losing is hard, but if you keep on enduring, learning from your losses and working hard you will find success.
PiGStarcraft
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Australia940 Posts
Last Edited: 2014-01-05 00:15:22
January 04 2014 14:01 GMT
#12
On January 04 2014 18:53 Nithix wrote:
Great blog, PiG. Do you write much outside of this?


Not much of late. I've always wanted to write fiction at one point in my life, and have seriously considered and even studied towards journalism and Academia (cultural theory/English).

I really love expressing myself through writing, it's the one medium I feel I can create nice things. Give me paint or pencil and I can only create the demented crayon scratchings of a madman. Give me a pen or a keyboard and I find myself writing out thoughts, feelings and expressions that I didn't even know were there. Especially when I'm struggling with emotional turmoil writing helps me sort out my feelings and ground myself. I didn't know what I was writing about with this blog, but once I wrote it, it helped me process my feeling of defeat and move forward.

Thanks to yourself and also everyone else for your positive responses.

@StatixEx no I'm not quitting! For me progaming in SC2 has always been a dream, and as I've improved It's felt like that dream was coming true, especially in 2012. Even though this year the conditions are harder nothing's changed about me loving the competition and community. I will continue to coach, stream and commentate on the side, but until at least until the end of this year improving and competing is still my 100% focus.
Progamerwww.twitch.tv/x5_pig | pigrandom88@gmail.com | @x5_PiG | www.facebook.com/pigSC2
wwJd)El_Mojjo
Profile Blog Joined September 2009
Sweden173 Posts
January 04 2014 14:08 GMT
#13
Very inspiring and insightful!
I don't necessarily share all your thoughts about the subject, but it's really interesting to read something like this from someone who lives in the midst of it all. So, thank you for writing it. ^^
Gc.El_Mojjo
tomastaz
Profile Joined January 2013
United States973 Posts
January 04 2014 15:30 GMT
#14
Always cheering for you man.
No church in the wild --- @tzhang0126
Damnight
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
Germany214 Posts
January 04 2014 16:54 GMT
#15
Poetic as fuck!
EJK
Profile Blog Joined September 2013
United States1283 Posts
January 04 2014 17:41 GMT
#16
gogo pig!
Sc2 Terran Coach, top 16GM NA - interested in coaching? Message me on teamliquid!
Jamileon
Profile Joined June 2011
United States63 Posts
January 04 2014 18:29 GMT
#17
This really was a great read, first blog i have read of you. Definitely going to read more
OskO
Profile Joined February 2011
Argentina369 Posts
January 04 2014 21:06 GMT
#18
Very good read.
Though we strike at you from the shadows, do not think that we lack the courage to stand in the light.
radscorpion9
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
Canada2244 Posts
Last Edited: 2014-01-04 21:28:18
January 04 2014 21:26 GMT
#19
I don't want to be too depressing, but some people search deeper and deeper, and they never find a strong enough 'metal'. Life is not necessarily a fairy tale, sometimes people simply lose, and in spite of their best efforts to overcome, continue to lose to better opponents until they are too old to continue or are worn out.

So many people want to believe its all a matter of willpower, but I wonder whether that is based on anything besides wishful thinking? In any case I do wish you good luck and hope you win at least one competition before you can retire. Maybe then it will all be worth it; but if not it at least hardens your character and makes it harder for you to feel pain. I suppose that's a useful gain as well
husniack
Profile Blog Joined January 2012
203 Posts
January 04 2014 21:55 GMT
#20
Nice blog. I think people process defeat differently though. For me, it's usually a soft lingering pain.
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Esports Championship Se…
17:30
Europe - Week 5
Astralis vs G2 EsportsLIVE!
FaZe vs G2 Esports
LiquipediaDiscussion
WardiTV Weekly
17:30
S4 Finals - Group A
Creator vs DnSLIVE!
Creator vs souL
souL vs Bly
DnS vs Bly
souL vs DnS
WardiTV971
TaKeTV 557
PsinSin 107
LiquipediaDiscussion
ESL ESEA Pro League
15:30
Europe - Week 7
mousesports vs Space SoldiersLIVE!
Fnatic vs AGO Gaming
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
WinterStarcraft1176
mouzHeroMarine 590
JonSnow 374
Naniwa 346
Liquid`TLO 338
IndyStarCraft 81
BRAT_OK 50
Railgan 26
uThermal 5
StarCraft: Brood War
Shuttle 23392
EffOrt 1321
Zeus 347
Mini 172
PianO 84
[sc1f]eonzerg 58
LancerX 37
Noble 35
iG.Arcneon 0
Heroes of the Storm
Trikslyr859
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
rubinoeu62
Other Games
Destiny2316
Hui .557
EG.iNcontroL387
fenner171
Beastyqt74
Solid Jake24
elfi7
Organizations
StarCraft 2
OGamingTV SC2 1137
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
dreamhackcs1006
StarCraft 2
ESL.tv216
StarCraft: Brood War
Classic BW VODs15
[ Show 45 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• ZERG-TV 184
• Foggy WC385
• angryscii 51
• [EESC] 47
• Beliar 29
• KingCobra90 22
• Rodzyn 18
• PengWin_SC 16
• nunu 15
• SCVODarchives14
• ironchainsc213
• SCV Rush13
• Drizzs13
• Miezekotze 9
• xKawaiian 7
• Bosshoore 6
• SCMothership 3
• FATALBUNNY 3
• NspFancy 1
• Dystopia_ 1
StarCraft: Brood War
• sscaitournament22
• Vincent4TV 5
• Michael_bg 2
• Katkishka 1
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
• starladder5 487
• ESL CS:GO315
• Starladder_CS_En177
• subETTE26
Other Games
• Honor. 1643
• SK.Testie263
• TorNis 213
• Faraaz123
• TheArgie77
• LttWinters49
• cbRRRR38
• EmSc Tv 26
• ESL_dabo024
• poizon2814
• jumpinspider7
• GonzyTV7
• FureurSC2 7
• Puraaj5
• LeipzigeSports3
• SinO[Ob] 3
• nixIMBA2
Upcoming Events
Esports Championship Se…
3h 44m
SK Gaming vs Team Liquid
ESL ESEA Pro League
3h 54m
Rogue vs Renegades
OpTiC Gaming vs Team Dignitas
Ghost Gaming vs Luminosity Gaming
Ballistix Brawl
6h 44m
Heroes Major League
14h 44m
GSL Code S
15h 14m
sOs vs TRUE
KeeN vs Solar
ESL ESEA Pro League
20h 44m
Astralis vs Team EnVyUs
Natus Vincere vs Fnatic
HellRaisers vs Team LDLC.com
BTSL: Europe
22h 44m
Optimus vs Bly
Harstem vs Reynor
Esports Championship Se…
22h 44m
mousesports vs Gambit Esports
G2 Esports vs Fnatic
Proxy Tempest
23h 44m
Shinhan Tank Proleague
1d
[ Show More ]
Esports Championship Se…
1d 3h
SK Gaming vs eUnited
ESL ESEA Pro League
1d 3h
Team Liquid vs compLexity Gaming
Renegades vs Team Dignitas
Rogue vs Cloud9
The Pylon Show
1d 6h
The PiG Daily
1d 7h
Has vs NoRegreT
Heroes Major League
1d 15h
Kung Fu Cup
1d 16h
ESL ESEA Pro League
1d 20h
Ninjas in Pyjamas vs Astralis
Heroic vs AGO Gaming
Team LDLC.com vs Fnatic
Natus Vincere vs G2 Esports
FaZe vs Space Soldiers
mousesports vs Team EnVyUs
HellRaisers vs North
Go4SC2
1d 22h
WardiTV Weekly
1d 22h
Esports Championship Se…
1d 22h
Virtus.pro vs GODSENT
ESL ESEA Pro League
2 days
Team Liquid vs OpTiC Gaming
Splyce vs Cloud9
Ghost Gaming vs compLexity Gaming
Luminosity Gaming vs NRG eSports
SK Gaming vs Renegades
Rogue vs Team Dignitas
OSC
2 days
Losers' Starleague
2 days
Soulkey vs Leta
EffOrt vs Horang2
WardiTV Weekly
2 days
Shinhan Tank Proleague
3 days
GSL Code S
3 days
Zest vs SortOf
Trap vs aLive
OSC
3 days
Losers' Starleague
3 days
Shine vs Pusan
Light vs Action
REGENERATE OPEN WEEKLY…
3 days
BSL
3 days
TopTierPractice League
3 days
Platy-pro Weekly
4 days
Hangzhou StarCraft Carn…
4 days
OSC
4 days
Afreeca Starleague
4 days
Larva vs Mini
Go4SC2
4 days
WCS Regional Challengers
4 days
Elazer vs MaNa
Stephano vs Harstem
Proxy Tempest
4 days
PsiX Pro Series
4 days
Clem vs Denver
WCS Regional Challengers
4 days
NoRegreT vs Bioice
Raze vs puCK
TopTierPractice League
4 days
Hangzhou StarCraft Carn…
5 days
Proxy Tempest
5 days
Hangzhou StarCraft Carn…
6 days
Afreeca Starleague
6 days
Flash vs Snow
OlimoLeague
6 days
WardiTV Weekly
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Have At You! #14
StarCraft II: NationWars V
Phase 1 Horizon Clash SEA
DreamHack Marseille 2018

Ongoing

Afreeca Starleague Season 5
Bombastic StarLeague 4
2018 WCS Austin - Europe Qualifier
2018 WCS Austin - North America Qualifier
Copa América 2018 Season 1
2018 Global StarCraft II League Season 2
2018 HGC Phase 1 Pro KR
2018 HGC Phase 1 Pro EU
2018 HGC Phase 1 Pro NA
2018 HGC Phase 1 Open EU
2018 HGC Phase 1 Open NA
2018 HGC Phase 1 ANZ Premier
GHL 2018 - Spring 2
Phase 1 Horizon Clash TW
ESL Pro League Season 7 - NA
ESL Pro League Season 7 - EU
ECS Season 5: North America
ECS Season 5: Europe

Upcoming

2018 Hangzhou StarCraft Carnival
2018 Hangzhou StarCraft Carnival: 2v2 event
2018 Hangzhou StarCraft Carnival
2018 WCS Austin - Oceania, SEA Qualifier
GPL 2018 Season 2
2018 WCS Austin
2018 Global StarCraft II League Season 3
2018 WCS Valencia
2018 WCS Montreal
HGC Copa América 2018 Phase 1
2018 HGC Phase 1 ANZ Live Finals
2018 HGC Phase 1 Intercontinental Clash
2018 HGC Phase 1 Horizon Clash
2018 HGC Mid-Season Brawl
DreamHack Open Tours 2018
ESL Pro League Season 7 - Finals
ESEA S27 - Global Challenge
ESL Pro League Season 7 - SA
IEM Season XIII - Sydney
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Flash
2. ZerO
3. Bisu
4. Last
5. Shuttle
6. by.hero
7. EffOrt
8. Killer
Sidebar Settings...



Advertising | Jobs | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Logo & Style Guide | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2018 Team Liquid. All Rights Reserved.