Name a profession...

[relaedgc]

While I am loathe to further continue what has ultimately been a multiplicity of irrelevant derails, I do want to stress and point out that, for example, 'the medicine profession' while certainly a profession that requires intensive training and specialist knowledge isn't all inclusive.

I don't believe that you need a degree educated background to have a profession. That's a very restrictive interpretation of the literal definition.

Definitively, if you're able to be a 'professional' X, it's equally valid to claim that your profession is also 'X'.

At least, in so far as my passable grasp of the English language is concerned.

[vegaslover]

How the fk has this thread ever reached 14 pages???

[MintTrav]

To be a professional, a tradesman or to claim you have a job you need to provide something that is of value to other people, ie contribute something to society. A poker dealer, prostitute, or artist falls within this definition, as does a paid sportsman and possibly also a drug dealer. I cannot see how a poker player does.

A lot of wishful thinking ITT imo.

Surely to have a job you just need to be doing something that earns you enough money to live on - what has contributing to society got to do with it?

It is clear in my post that, when I referred to contributing to society, I was talking about providing something of value to other people - not anything else.

As for contributing to society or the economy, where does all the money go that poker players spend?  Some of it goes to businesses, some of it goes to the government in tax in the form of VAT, duties, etc.

It's not about spending; it's about the work you do. If you grow something, build something, provide a service, etc, you can say that you contribute to society. Full-time poker players don't generate anything. Don't get me wrong - I'm sure it's a great life. But let's not pretend it has anything in common with someone who has to work at a real job. It's a bit insensitive to claim that it is a job.

[redarmi]

The thread the finally convinced me that Aaron isn't real and is just a troll account.

[MereNovice]

The thread the finally convinced me that Aaron isn't real and is just a troll account.

What took you so long?

[kinboshi]

To be a professional, a tradesman or to claim you have a job you need to provide something that is of value to other people, ie contribute something to society. A poker dealer, prostitute, or artist falls within this definition, as does a paid sportsman and possibly also a drug dealer. I cannot see how a poker player does.

A lot of wishful thinking ITT imo.

Surely to have a job you just need to be doing something that earns you enough money to live on - what has contributing to society got to do with it?

It is clear in my post that, when I referred to contributing to society, I was talking about providing something of value to other people - not anything else.

As for contributing to society or the economy, where does all the money go that poker players spend?  Some of it goes to businesses, some of it goes to the government in tax in the form of VAT, duties, etc.

It's not about spending; it's about the work you do. If you grow something, build something, provide a service, etc, you can say that you contribute to society. Full-time poker players don't generate anything. Don't get me wrong - I'm sure it's a great life. But let's not pretend it has anything in common with someone who has to work at a real job. It's a bit insensitive to claim that it is a job.

There are plenty of jobs that don't add or contribute to society (beyond paying tax and not relying on handouts).

[theprawnidentity]

just looked back through this, lol

[LB44]

Just read this from the beginning after a recommendation from Tomsom. Just LOL....how has this manager to get so many posts. Who bloody cares. Aaron must be in A&E after all the bites this one got.

[Ironside]

LOOK THERE HE GOES AGAIN, STICKING TO HIS GUNS!

LOCK HIM A SLOT IN THE ADVENT CALENDAR TIGHTY!

Hilarious watching Tom rip you apart btw.

Just to clear something up, it wasn't tighty that recommended Aaron for the advent calendar.

Not really at liberty to discuss who it was on the open forum, but the mod involved was scottish. And it wasn't ironside, before anyone jumps to conclusions.

Right, back to the debate...

for one minute I thought I was going to have to announce I was german before all the aaron haters lynched me

[SirPerceval]

To be a professional, a tradesman or to claim you have a job you need to provide something that is of value to other people, ie contribute something to society. A poker dealer, prostitute, or artist falls within this definition, as does a paid sportsman and possibly also a drug dealer. I cannot see how a poker player does.

A lot of wishful thinking ITT imo.

So what's the difference between a rugby league player and a poker player in terms of the rugby player having a 'profession' and the poker player not?

People like watching rugby league, hence something has been contributed to society?

Exactly. They have provided entertainment for other people.

poker players ensure poker dealers have jobs (the point I tried to make above)

So they are consumers. I agree.

That doesn't make them professionals - or do you think you are a professional shopper when you go to buy your groceries?

I can confirm my wife is a professional shopper.