3 ms·

"turns fans into suckers"? I would think spending time and money watching millionaires wearing shiny spandex pants give each other brain trauma in billion doll

"turns fans into suckers"? I would think spending time and money watching millionaires wearing shiny spandex pants give each other brain trauma in billion dollar stadiums paid with our tax money makes us suckers regardless of the existence of Fantasy Football.

knowaveragejoe 11y ago
I bet you think you're clever with this dismissal of sports and that nobody who actively enjoys sports is aware of the objective nature of what's going on.
- dragandj 11y ago
  It seems to me that he is dismissing passive enjoyment of sports (watching games on TV or in arenas), not the active one (participating yourself).
  - knowaveragejoe 11y ago
    Don't read so much into it, it was a trite comment with little substance.
- jfoutz 11y ago
  I think he means taxpayers are suckers, https://www.stlouisfed.org/Publications/Regional-Economist/April-2001/Should-Cities-Pay-for-Sports-Facilities https://www.stlouisfed.org/Publications/Regional-Economist/A... (older article, but i believe still true today) I used to really hate sports, and make fun of people. It took me a long time to realize i was just an alienating asshole. While not really my thing, i try to put in a tiny bit of effort to be aware of what's going on in sports, and it's improved casual relationships a lot. That said, taxes for stadiums is a pretty bad idea.
  - knowaveragejoe 11y ago
    I agree overall, that said, I feel that is a minor slice of his argument at best.
  - Chris2048 11y ago
    Alienating people by not knowing about sports, or for making fun of them?
    - jfoutz 11y ago
      it's hard to quantify, but just my general attitude has made things smoother. Rather than rolling my eyes and trying to change the subject, i'll try to listen attentively and engage if i have something to contribute. I don't have any interest in listening to someone rattle on for hours, but a minute or two listening to something they're excited about, well, it goes a long way. A reply like "I'm not much of a sports fan, but that sounds amazing" is pretty effective. Just let people bask in the glory of whatever they love for a moment or two, sports, tv shows, how smart their kid is, vacation pictures, whatever. I guess, i wouldn't talk to people if they weren't important or interesting in the moment in some way, taking an interest in what they find interesting makes me feel more connected somehow.

knowaveragejoe 11y ago

I bet you think you're clever with this dismissal of sports and that nobody who actively enjoys sports is aware of the objective nature of what's going on.

dragandj 11y ago
It seems to me that he is dismissing passive enjoyment of sports (watching games on TV or in arenas), not the active one (participating yourself).
- knowaveragejoe 11y ago
  Don't read so much into it, it was a trite comment with little substance.
jfoutz 11y ago
I think he means taxpayers are suckers, https://www.stlouisfed.org/Publications/Regional-Economist/April-2001/Should-Cities-Pay-for-Sports-Facilities https://www.stlouisfed.org/Publications/Regional-Economist/A... (older article, but i believe still true today) I used to really hate sports, and make fun of people. It took me a long time to realize i was just an alienating asshole. While not really my thing, i try to put in a tiny bit of effort to be aware of what's going on in sports, and it's improved casual relationships a lot. That said, taxes for stadiums is a pretty bad idea.
- knowaveragejoe 11y ago
  I agree overall, that said, I feel that is a minor slice of his argument at best.
- Chris2048 11y ago
  Alienating people by not knowing about sports, or for making fun of them?
  - jfoutz 11y ago
    it's hard to quantify, but just my general attitude has made things smoother. Rather than rolling my eyes and trying to change the subject, i'll try to listen attentively and engage if i have something to contribute. I don't have any interest in listening to someone rattle on for hours, but a minute or two listening to something they're excited about, well, it goes a long way. A reply like "I'm not much of a sports fan, but that sounds amazing" is pretty effective. Just let people bask in the glory of whatever they love for a moment or two, sports, tv shows, how smart their kid is, vacation pictures, whatever. I guess, i wouldn't talk to people if they weren't important or interesting in the moment in some way, taking an interest in what they find interesting makes me feel more connected somehow.