In 1996, Newt Gingrich annoyed a number of people when he used the podium of the Republican National Convention to praise the rise of beach volleyball. But over a decade later, I think he was onto something.

Earlier this month I met the mother of a "professional snowboarder." That's how she introduced herself. "Hello, I'm Sally, and my son is a professional snowboarder."

Let that sink in for a minute. "Professional snowboarder." Her son makes a living by competing in snowboarding events and endorsing clothing, goggles, and related gear. All this for an activity that barely existed the year he was born.

Say that you hate winter, snow, and all that. Fine. But I look at this story as a small example of the creativity of the human spirit which drives the American economy.

Halfpipe riders and other snowboarders get to combine work with pleasure. A larger number of people get to be amazed at watching their accomplishments. Other people gain employment through creating advertisements, selling gear, providing hospitality, and so on. A new recreational activity has also had economic effects.

The fact that sports and arts in general exist at all is a tribute to the value of economic growth. A couple hundred years ago in this country, and in many places of the world yet today, human energy was devoted almost entirely to mere survival.

Thanks to a (relatively) free economy, stable legal system, and people simply pursuing their own interests, we have long lifespans, and obesity has replaced hunger as the largest food-related problem.

Oh yes, and we also have professional snowboarders.