Quote:
Originally Posted by pylon
For most people, I think the obsession fades over time as you realize how little is truly at stake. With each passing major world event, and each passing personal crisis you realize how stupid it is to become so wrapped up in a silly game, played by people that likely would simply step over you if you were dying right in front of them in the street.
I was once as hardcore as fans come. I've had physical confrontations with unruly or obnoxious Oiler and Canuck fans. I plastered cars with flags and decals. Screamed at my TV like a madman. Scheduled my life and meals around game times. All for what? You think back, cringe and have a little second hand embarrassment.
Now, if a game is on and I'm home, I'll put it on as white noise and keep going about cooking, tidying up, whatever responsible life things are necessary at that time. If they are shooting the lights out... cool, I'll probably sit down and set whatever I was doing aside and get into it. If it's an obvious no show effort, I just turn it off and go about my life. If they aren't going to show up and try, why the hell would I set aside my time and responsibilities in return?
Anyway, that's my take. It naturally fades over time when you come to the realization how utterly meaningless it truly is. You rarely see some guy in his 60's painting his face, redecorating his house in team colors or wasting the day on Capfriendly figuring out trades. Most of them have moved on to casual fandom when they come to that realization. It's actually kinda embarrassing the resources and manpower humanity has invested in games, that have little or no impact on what is truly important to the world.
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I was with you until your very last point, which I find to be quite a cynical and depressing take. I disagree with sports having little to no impact on what's "truly important" in the world. I'm assuming you mean family, relationships, health, wealth. People loving a sport results in being physically active and positive health benefits, gathering together around a shared cause, kids making friends and learning valuable life and leadership skills, confidence building...I mean it's a very long list of how sport can contribute significantly to "what's truly important in the world".
Humans have been playing and watching sports for thousands of years. There's something very human about doing things just for sheer entertainment value and joy, and also watching others who are good at athletics, strategy, and are physical specimens. We're competitive, and sports is a safe and fun outlet to be competitive with each other. It's healthy and productive. Sport isn't something that has just been a recent phenomenon over the past few hundred years since the industrial revolution, since we're bored now or something. We've been doing it since the ancient civilizations. There's nothing wrong or embarrassing with society placing a high value on sports and entertainment.
I'm assuming your (totally valid) response would be "ok, well playing sports is one thing, and watching sports is another". I get that - however to me it's a packaged deal. If someone loves playing hockey and also loves watching the highest level of the sport they love, with friends or family, or it's a way to relax and unwind, and it grows their love of the game they play, how is that not something that's "truly important"? Even if they're the most ardent fan, and they love it, and you judge them for that, if it's bringing them joy then how isn't it important? That's a judgement, and obviously everyone's entitled to their opinion, but I respectfully disagree.