3 ms·

The US has a similar 'WTF' when it comes to pharmaceutical ads. The US is heading in a similar direction with gambling, if we aren't there already. Sports bett

The US has a similar 'WTF' when it comes to pharmaceutical ads. The US is heading in a similar direction with gambling, if we aren't there already. Sports betting it feels like makes up half of the advertising and sponsorships you see when you watch professional sports these days.

hospitalJail 3y ago
I'm waiting for people to realize watching sports are a negative externality. >Environmental damage(transportation) >Addiction >Opportunity cost >Celeb worship and only partially related: >Sports betting(and addiction to betting) Its a hard pill to take, I habitually watch my university's football team. It is depressing since they lose and their expectations are high. Even the year they won, I can't help to think how many hours I wasted on useless feeder teams and previous seasons. There is a community aspect, but this is overblown because nearly every hobby has a community. Nothing wrong with playing sports, but there is a reason for the phrase 'bread and circuses'.
- faeriechangling 3y ago
  People have been shitting on sports for all those reasons since I was in Kindergarten. But you know, I think it makes people happy in a unique way.
  - hospitalJail 3y ago
    >I think it makes people happy in a unique way. Artificially and without any input from the user. Just because the masses of population do something, doesnt make it good.
  - ryandrake 3y ago
    The way I like to understand it: Sports shows are just soap operas for men.
    - fullshark 3y ago
      More like simulated warfare designed to tap into that primal urge to hurt tribal enemies. Politics has now moved in that direction.
    - lost_tourist 3y ago
      I thought that was "professional wrestling" ?
  - jimmydddd 3y ago
    I hadn't watched sports in my 20's thinking it a waste of time. I starting watching in my 40's when my son had an interest and it's been a fun bonding experience. And in the US corporate world, it's one of the few things (besides the weather) you can discuss with folks that won't potentially get everyone all angry and worked up.
    - hospitalJail 3y ago
      >won't potentially get everyone all angry and worked up. Did you see that ludicrous display last night? But also, those are plenty of things to bond over. Watching sports to bond must be one of the most shallow types of bonding. Anyway, I have yet to have a coworker get worked up about casual conversation and I don't watch sports anymore. Seems like a non issue.
      - autoexec 3y ago
        > But also, those are plenty of things to bond over. Watching sports to bond must be one of the most shallow types of bonding. Honestly, that's all many people are looking for in an office setting. They aren't looking to get into deep discussions about their dreams and fears, they just want to know the people they're working with are friendly and talk about something other than work for a bit.
- dtagames 3y ago
  In addition, an often overlooked aspect of watching sports is the emasculation of men and the channeling of their physical energy into something pointless and profitable, rather than towards social unrest or displeasure with the ruling class. It also provides an artificial sense of community where people celebrate the success of something in which they have no part. It's a vicarious form of community achievement which takes effort and money from real communities, like your neighbors and the city around you.

hospitalJail 3y ago

I'm waiting for people to realize watching sports are a negative externality. >Environmental damage(transportation) >Addiction >Opportunity cost >Celeb worship and only partially related: >Sports betting(and addiction to betting) Its a hard pill to take, I habitually watch my university's football team. It is depressing since they lose and their expectations are high. Even the year they won, I can't help to think how many hours I wasted on useless feeder teams and previous seasons. There is a community aspect, but this is overblown because nearly every hobby has a community. Nothing wrong with playing sports, but there is a reason for the phrase 'bread and circuses'.

faeriechangling 3y ago
People have been shitting on sports for all those reasons since I was in Kindergarten. But you know, I think it makes people happy in a unique way.
- hospitalJail 3y ago
  >I think it makes people happy in a unique way. Artificially and without any input from the user. Just because the masses of population do something, doesnt make it good.
- ryandrake 3y ago
  The way I like to understand it: Sports shows are just soap operas for men.
  - fullshark 3y ago
    More like simulated warfare designed to tap into that primal urge to hurt tribal enemies. Politics has now moved in that direction.
  - lost_tourist 3y ago
    I thought that was "professional wrestling" ?
- jimmydddd 3y ago
  I hadn't watched sports in my 20's thinking it a waste of time. I starting watching in my 40's when my son had an interest and it's been a fun bonding experience. And in the US corporate world, it's one of the few things (besides the weather) you can discuss with folks that won't potentially get everyone all angry and worked up.
  - hospitalJail 3y ago
    >won't potentially get everyone all angry and worked up. Did you see that ludicrous display last night? But also, those are plenty of things to bond over. Watching sports to bond must be one of the most shallow types of bonding. Anyway, I have yet to have a coworker get worked up about casual conversation and I don't watch sports anymore. Seems like a non issue.
    - autoexec 3y ago
      > But also, those are plenty of things to bond over. Watching sports to bond must be one of the most shallow types of bonding. Honestly, that's all many people are looking for in an office setting. They aren't looking to get into deep discussions about their dreams and fears, they just want to know the people they're working with are friendly and talk about something other than work for a bit.
dtagames 3y ago
In addition, an often overlooked aspect of watching sports is the emasculation of men and the channeling of their physical energy into something pointless and profitable, rather than towards social unrest or displeasure with the ruling class. It also provides an artificial sense of community where people celebrate the success of something in which they have no part. It's a vicarious form of community achievement which takes effort and money from real communities, like your neighbors and the city around you.