Sports idiocy

sabrinathecat · Jun 18, 2015

But what is the attraction in the first place?

Dannyalcatraz · Jun 18, 2015

The attraction of sports and fandom?

There are lots of them: escapism, civic pride, appreciation for athleticism, etc. But a lot of it boils down to a redirected and relatively harmless morphing of tribalism. Humans are a social species, and fandom provides a potential basis for social interaction.

sabrinathecat · Jun 18, 2015

How is it civic pride when most of the players aren't locals, but imported from other cities, or even states? How do the players, or how does the obscenely wealthy owner of the team, really reflect the community?

delericho · Jun 18, 2015

sabrinathecat said:
How is it civic pride when most of the players aren't locals, but imported from other cities, or even states? How do the players, or how does the obscenely wealthy owner of the team, really reflect the community?

They probably don't... now. But sports fandom is frequently passed down from father (mostly) to son (mostly), and if you go back the generations then eventually you get to a point where they probably do.

Bear in mind also that you're posting this on a site where we've had (and still have) multi-page threads about how half of us are rolling a d20 'wrong'. The Edition Wars are exactly the same phenomenon, just in a different format.

Dannyalcatraz · Jun 18, 2015

sabrinathecat said:
How is it civic pride when most of the players aren't locals, but imported from other cities, or even states? How do the players, or how does the obscenely wealthy owner of the team, really reflect the community?

Seriously? What is it about basic tribalism that is eluding you? Halo effect? Coat tails? Pride by association?

Fandom is, as noted, fundamentally irrational behavior.

In most cases, it really is as simple as the name on the stadium doors: New York Yankees; Detroit Red Wings; Chicago Bulls; Pittsburgh Steelers; Manchester United. "Our city has something yours does not: championships."

And, regardless of origin, some players DO make genuine efforts to blend into and improve the communities in which they live. Warrick Dunn of the Atlanta Falcons famously not only bought his mother a house (as he vowed), he also built at least one house per year in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity- something he has continued to this day.

And yes, there are sad teams, like the Cleveland Browns. That just whets the appetite for wins & championships.

And not all players are nice people- see Rae Carruth. But the fans will simply try to find other role models.

But this isn't rocket science, and this isn't new. We know that Romans rooted for particular gladiators as fanatically as a Dallas Cowboys fan does for his team.

Umbran · Jun 18, 2015

sabrinathecat said:
How is it civic pride when most of the players aren't locals, but imported from other cities, or even states? How do the players, or how does the obscenely wealthy owner of the team, really reflect the community?

They don't have to. They don't reflect the community. They represent the community. They are a chosen symbol, proxy champions. They don't have to be of the community, so long as they march under the community's banner.

It is a sign of success of the community's team that they can afford to import players from afar.

Crothian · Jun 18, 2015

Umbran said:
Yep.

I think, "because it is fun," doesn't really cover, say, burning sofas and overturning cars after a Big 10 football game. But mob dynamics do.

From the videos it looks like people are having fun doing that. I never participated in the vandal part of the celebrations but burning one owns couch in celebration can be enjoyable.

Crothian · Jun 18, 2015

sabrinathecat said:
How is it civic pride when most of the players aren't locals, but imported from other cities, or even states? How do the players, or how does the obscenely wealthy owner of the team, really reflect the community?

It depends on the sports team. Not all of them are owned by rich people. Not all sports teams pay athletes lots of money as many are amateur athletes and I'm not just talking college.. People are fans of small club teams, college teams, and high school teams. There is a huge variety of sports and one is true for some is not going to be true for all.

Umbran · Jun 18, 2015

Crothian said:
From the videos it looks like people are having fun doing that.

The point is that, generally, rational people do not riot in the streets "for fun". We have limitations to how far we will go in pursuit of our own enjoyment.

"Hey, I'm bored, let's break into Joe's apartment, drag out his couch, and burn it in the street!"
"Yeah, and while we are at it, let's get a few guys together and go flipping cars!"

Is not a conversation you're likely to hear, even when the speakers are under the influence. However, when you get a mob, it happens with alarming frequency. Thus, it is probably the mobness, not the "for fun" driving the behavior.

sabrinathecat · Jun 18, 2015

I guess I just don't get it.

[video=youtube;O1b26sCHc9I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1b26sCHc9I[/video]

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