Apparently it's not only tutors who come to the Q-RAC.
"They're these guys who come down from the observatory to do Tai Chi in the Q-RAC during their lunch hours." says one Q-RAC frequenter. "They grunt and they spit and they're all bearded. It's just weird. You don't see that happening at the MAC."
I ask Kagay about this. "Well first of all, that's because at the MAC they have special rooms for that stuff." he explains. "That kind of stuff only happens behind closed doors down there."
Hmmm, interesting. But more importantly why do they do this? Perhaps Matt Boyle knows.
"You know a lot of people think that the Q-RAC is something merely physical," Matt says. "But I've always said that not only is the Q-RAC a temple to the human body, it is also a monument to the human spirit. Religions around the world agree that there is something more to the human being, something that cannot be captured by the laws of physics. Call it synergy, call it chi, call it a zinchilla hat.
"Now what is a gymnasium? It's place where we cultivate the body, But what is body? The body is the spirit's companion: the mass of flesh that walks hand in hand with the spirit.
When I'm in the Q-RAC, I feel as if I am communing with something higher. Each step on the stairmaster is a step towards my higher self.
"Philosphies throughout history have recognized opposing forces in nature, basic dualities in the world. Call it an inescapable antinomy, call it the yin versus the yang, call it the salty snack versus the sugary snack. Well, basketball versus volleyball is just one of these elemental oppositions. Should you wind the net up in a circle and throw things in it, or stretch it out and throw things over it?"
Perhaps I was not viewing the situation with sufficient abstraction. Perhaps the trend I sought was occurring on a symbolic, not a physical or spiritual level. I turn back to Hitesh Hathi for further enlightenment.
"America is this very weird place where we claim there's no hierarchy," explains Hitesh. "But in fact we are a very hierarchical society. However, the Q-RAC is a wonderful place because sports are really very non-hierarchical." Hitesh, however, admits that he's "never been there." (Undoubtedly allowing him to maintain the abstraction necessary for this kind of analysis.)
Having exercised all the various possibilities and explanations, I realize I need to find some other explanation for this daily pilgrimage of all types. This religiously democratic fervor must have some deeper basis. It must be some larger subterranean fad at work. In this spirit, I turn to a tried and tested trend. Alas, this too provides so saving grace:
"I read last week that people are wearing jester hats. But I really don't see it at the Q-RAC." says Boyle.