Saturday, April 12, 2008
Commenting on Sports
I honestly do not understand deliberation about sports and recently there has been much on my blog about it. I mean is there really any purpose? So you think this or that? Who are you helping? Not the Brewers, the Packers, or whomever unless you have some connections. If so then by all means continue with your deliberation, but do it with the right people. Is it for some affirmation from some community of followers. I could appreciate that, but only to a certain extent. I mean even if you discuss about sports, how does that help the other person? I honestly am at a loss for what substantial knowledge you could gain from talking about sports. I think it's the man equivalent to fashion. It's good to get an affirmation about, but if you get deeper than that something's wrong. Just wear the clothes and just watch the sport. Stop all the rubbish.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Oh, it's exactly like fashion, but fashion for guys. Talking about it is half the fun! There really isn't much knowledge to be gained at all--besides understanding "the game". I enjoy intelligent conversations, but I also enjoy talking about sports--and when I do it on online message boards, I am trying to help the other person--that is, help the person stop being an idiot. You can go too far with it though, which is why I avoid fantasy sports.
Sports can also be great unifiers - the Olympics are really the only time of year when I cheer for the US. It can be extremely satisfying to be somehow linked to something bigger than yourself (as cliche as it sounds). Also, a little sports knowledge goes a long way in many environments. Do I really care about the Badgers' starting lineup? No...but the lawyers at the law office where I used to work did. I've seen incredibly sexist arguments about what women should do in the workplace (know a little bit of sports knowledge, never discuss "women's troubles", don't put a man down in front of his coworkers) but it is true that sports knowledge will help anyone in some situations, if only to break the ice.
That said, fashion isn't the same as sports. Fashion is considerably more creative and less statistical and factual. While fashion and sports have their own individual subcultures, because of the breadth and nature of sports, they are more accessible. Fashion (and when I say fashion, I mean more haute couture), is less accessible but still possesses a strange and fascinating culture of its own.
Joe, not to be a total jerk here:
But what's the point in discussing community, philosophy, politics, rational vs religion, etc?
When we die, our brains are going to die, too, meaning that we will not have any thoughts anymore and, well frankly, nothing will happen. So why talk about all these philosophical things when in 60-70 years, its not going to matter? At least enjoy everything now while you can.
Why talk about politics, obviously you (and I should say here, 'we', or maybe the more appropriate, 'one', I don't mean YOU-Joe personally, sorry) don't have any connections or thoughts that matter to any of the people who are important in our government(just look at 40 years of our government).
Sports makes people happy, it gives them something to look forward to. If they aren't soccer fans in Italy, it gives people something to have friendly debate over. It brings people togther.
Anyways.
Joe, I agree with you to a certain extent. As you may know I don't follow any sports teams too closely. I heard people say before that sports are a hold over from anceint tribal warfare. Guys need competition and a team to identify with. Maybe some truth to that. I don't think that there is necessarily anything wrong with following sports as long as it doesn't overshadow more important subjects. The important topics are the ones that affect people's lives or how they live their lives. Politics, religion/philosophy, science, and economics fall into this category. Yes we will be dead in 70 years but if we take more time to consider the important stuff, those 70 years will be more meaningful. You are more likely to make good decisions, live a moral life, help friends, and achieve goals of lasting significance if you pay attention to the important things instead of sports and pop culture.
Post a Comment