Sports Fans

[b.k. barunt]

I seem to be missing that crucial element of the human psyche that causes inordinate fascination with watching someone else play a game. WTF? Am i the only one? Is no one else out there dumbfounded by this incredibly boring social phenomenon?


Honibaz

[jonesthecurl]

Never understood the attraction either.

[b.k. barunt]

I have a family member who was a star football player for LSU. He liked my nonsportsfan attitude and referred to the rabid LSU fans as "jock sniffers". LOL.


Honibaz

[Lootifer]

Physical activity is just the manifestation. Competition is the key element.

[muy_thaiguy]

Simple entertainment and another reason to get wasted?

[Crazyirishman]

I think that part of it is watching somebody do something that you yourself cannot do, or do it much better than you ever could is appealing. I mean you can see that type of situation play out with children, some like watching others play the game instead of playing it themselves. Possessing a certain level of apathy can exclude you from this I guess. I agree some people take it too far when they paint themselves and dress up and shit like that, but not everybody falls into that category.

[b.k. barunt]

Physical activity is just the manifestation. Competition is the key element.

I prefer to compete myself, rather than watch someone else compete. I'm unable to play football now or any sport that involves running, but hell, any game - cards, risk, etc. - is better than watching someone else play, unless unless of course i know one or more of the players personally. As far as another excuse to have a good time or party, as MTG said, i'd much rather have a good time doing something with my friends like the poker tournament we had last night. Getting vicarious thrills from someone else's achievements is boring and shallow when it becomes a more than occasional pastime. Just sayin . . .


Honibaz

[jonesthecurl]

I can watch a certain amount of poker on tv - when you can see all the hands, it's quite the learning experience.

[b.k. barunt]

Actually thats the one game i do enjoy watching. As you said, it's a learning experience and anyone else i know that watches it does so for the learning experience. It improves your own game. Quite different from the jock sniffers and their fascination with televised sports.


Honibaz

[Funkyterrance]

It's all about attaching one's ego to a team/player. Most sports fans played the sports themselves at some point(or were at least actively involved) but when they turn into slobs there's only one way to fill the void(see: first sentence of this post).

[Army of GOD]

I'm drunk so this probably won't be as intelligent or decipherable as I want it to be, but what-the-fuck-ever:

I watch it because of the homoeroticism

I don't know brah. I've played sports my whole life and just enjoy watching the best of the best do their job at it. I imagine it's like an aspiring artist look at a Picasso painting.

[Army of GOD]

Actually thats the one game i do enjoy watching. As you said, it's a learning experience and anyone else i know that watches it does so for the learning experience. It improves your own game. Quite different from the jock sniffers and their fascination with televised sports.


Honibaz

This is arguably true for me too though.

I play rugby in college at the moment but still play soccer, football and basketball either in leagues or informally. I pick up things I learn from these sports and use them.

In the end (I hate to say it) but FT is right, it does feed my ego one way or another. But seriously, if you're a guy and not trying to feed your own ego, you're a piece of shit liar. Or a Prussian.


Seriously, f*ck the Prussians.

[Funkyterrance]

I don't know brah. I've played sports my whole life and just enjoy watching the best of the best do their job at it. I imagine it's like an aspiring artist look at a Picasso painting.

Yeah, sucking at sports may be another motivator to attaching your ego to a pro sports team.

[BigBallinStalin]

For many, it's a superior substitute to religion, and it compliments those good 'ol nationalist sentiments.

For some, it's a great way to fall asleep.

[b.k. barunt]

For many, it's a superior substitute to religion,

Interesting observation. I'd have to substitute "church" for "religion" though - the parallels there would be much more consistent and the variables much less.


Honibaz

[Lootifer]

and it compliments those good 'ol nationalist sentiments.

Yeh f*ck loyalty in any form!

[thegreekdog]

I get some entertainment value out of watching sports. I think there is a semblance of "nationality" as BBS puts it with having a team that you root for. I root for teams rather than individual players, so I'm not sure the "jock sniffer" characterization is apt for 75% of sports fans.

I can't explain it any better than that. I will say I enjoy playing sports more than watching sports.

[Lootifer]

Another part of it is admiring physical excellence. Having experience with a number of different sports I can appreciate the skill involved (and the required training).

10000 hours etc.

[b.k. barunt]

Another part of it is admiring physical excellence. Having experience with a number of different sports I can appreciate the skill involved (and the required training).

10000 hours etc.

I admire physical excellence and training, but that doesn't mean i'm going to give a couple hours a week or more getting vicarious thrills from someone else's achievements. I think BBS hit it with the religion thing. Jock sniffing is about as good an example of mob mentality as you're going to get. Avid jock sniffers feed off of each other's energy, which is why they'd much rather watch a live game even though the visual is actually better at home on the TV. Jock sniffers get minimal pleasure from their sniffing if they have to do it alone. Super Bowl party anyone?


Honibaz

[Funkyterrance]

Another part of it is admiring physical excellence. Having experience with a number of different sports I can appreciate the skill involved (and the required training).

10000 hours etc.

[thegreekdog]

Another part of it is admiring physical excellence. Having experience with a number of different sports I can appreciate the skill involved (and the required training).

10000 hours etc.

I admire physical excellence and training, but that doesn't mean i'm going to give a couple hours a week or more getting vicarious thrills from someone else's achievements. I think BBS hit it with the religion thing. Jock sniffing is about as good an example of mob mentality as you're going to get. Avid jock sniffers feed off of each other's energy, which is why they'd much rather watch a live game even though the visual is actually better at home on the TV. Jock sniffers get minimal pleasure from their sniffing if they have to do it alone. Super Bowl party anyone?


Honibaz

I prefer to watch alone actually. Does that make me weirder?

[Funkyterrance]

So Aog is a major league jock sniffer eh?

[Lootifer]

I admire physical excellence and training, but that doesn't mean i'm going to give a couple hours a week or more getting vicarious thrills from someone else's achievements.

Cool, why scorn others for having a different attitude though?

I think BBS hit it with the religion thing.

I assumed the religion thing was a joke. There is nothing similar between a philosophical belief and loyalty to/admiration of a sports person or team.

Jock sniffing is about as good an example of mob mentality as you're going to get. Avid jock sniffers feed off of each other's energy, which is why they'd much rather watch a live game even though the visual is actually better at home on the TV. Jock sniffers get minimal pleasure from their sniffing if they have to do it alone. Super Bowl party anyone?

Good one. As an agnostic, would it be even remotely rational for me to try and explain why christians go to church? (without first researching or prior knowledge of course).

[2dimes]

Well if you're not into spending the time to "research or participate" BK just gave it away. People go to church for the exact same reason some go to a venue to watch their favorite sports teams. In fact many people go to both.

[Army of GOD]

Also, in my defense, I admit there are times were I get very existential about following pro sports. Why should I care about a competition in which I have no part in changing the outcome?

Then I jerk off and fall asleep.


I could see the analogy to religion being true but as an agnostic, apatheistic atheist I don't really care about it. Religion isn't innately bad, only a portion of the religious are evil. Similarly to how most sports fans are mild while some stab each other after sporting events in the parking lot.