In counting down to the 2010 winter olympics the guardian posted an article about Matti Nykänen, one of Finlands’ greatest athletes. His record in ski jumping is awesome, but he is just as famous in Finland for his private life which is so colourful and disastrous that it almost eclipses his sporting achievements. Brits could easliy compare him to George Best, but that would be a little tough on Matti. Best was an alcoholic and playboy, but that’s just incomparable to Mattis’ CV. Try Alcoholic, pop star, stripper, attempted murderer, celebrity chef.
But how can a person who can achieve so much also be so self destructive and incompetent in other areas of life? A new theory of behavioural genetics might be of help to Matti. It’s called the Orchid hypothesis and it says that while most of us are born ‘dandelions’ in that we can take root almost anywhere and thrive, some are born ‘orchids’ and in many situations don’t thrive, but in ideal conditions can be truly remarkable.
In other words the things that helped to make Matti one of the best ski jumpers and athletes in history also may contribute to his inability to fit into society normally. Anyway Finns cherish Matti as an orchid already, if he were to become suddenly well adjusted we would have lost a well loved institution.
He also has a great turn of phrase able to utter delphic truths in the great sportsmen tradition.
Tekemätöntä ei saa tekemättömäksi What is not done, cannot be undone
Jokainen tsäänssi on mahdollisuus! Every chance is an opportunity!
Huominen on aina tulevaisuutta. Tomorrow is always the future.
Elämä on laiffii. Living is life.
Se on ihan fifty-sixty miten käy. The odds are fifty-sixty.
No pilluhan se on aina mielessä mutta hypätään nyt ensin! Pussy is always on my mind, but I’ll jump first (when a reporter asked Matti what he has in his mind)
Rakkaus on kuin lankakerä ? se alkaa ja loppuu. Love is like a ball of wool ? it starts and it ends.
The Nykänen Orchid
In counting down to the 2010 winter olympics the guardian posted an article about Matti Nykänen, one of Finlands’ greatest athletes. His record in ski jumping is awesome, but he is just as famous in Finland for his private life which is so colourful and disastrous that it almost eclipses his sporting achievements. Brits could easliy compare him to George Best, but that would be a little tough on Matti. Best was an alcoholic and playboy, but that’s just incomparable to Mattis’ CV. Try Alcoholic, pop star, stripper, attempted murderer, celebrity chef.
But how can a person who can achieve so much also be so self destructive and incompetent in other areas of life? A new theory of behavioural genetics might be of help to Matti. It’s called the Orchid hypothesis and it says that while most of us are born ‘dandelions’ in that we can take root almost anywhere and thrive, some are born ‘orchids’ and in many situations don’t thrive, but in ideal conditions can be truly remarkable.
In other words the things that helped to make Matti one of the best ski jumpers and athletes in history also may contribute to his inability to fit into society normally. Anyway Finns cherish Matti as an orchid already, if he were to become suddenly well adjusted we would have lost a well loved institution.
He also has a great turn of phrase able to utter delphic truths in the great sportsmen tradition.
What is not done, cannot be undone
Every chance is an opportunity!
Tomorrow is always the future.
Living is life.
The odds are fifty-sixty.
Pussy is always on my mind, but I’ll jump first (when a reporter asked Matti what he has in his mind)
Love is like a ball of wool ? it starts and it ends.
(quotes via)