Is there such thing as a myth of sports? Think about it. Think about what is happening this Sunday. In case you don't know, it is Superbowl Sunday, one of the most watched sporting events of the year. It is ridiculous what people buy in to. This myth that the Superbowl is so exciting and that everyone needs to watch it. There is a fight over the commercials and who gets to host it(TV channel). I think that this year fox is hosting it and they have to pay a lot of money to be able to have the Superbowl on their channel. I think that people just buy into the myth that this game will determine the rest of their life and nothing else can happen on this Sunday except the game. I know that in my family we have a huge party that my parents have been throwing for 25 years and that the hundred people or so that come all buy into the myth also. I probably buy into the myth as well. What about the myth of athletes, they get paid millions of dollars for entertaining. Doing what they are good at. Why don't doctors or teachers get paid that much? Why do people support the myth of athletes and go and support them at their sporting event? I don't think that people control the myths that they believe in, I think that they are just handed something and buy into it with no real thought. What do you think?
2 comments:
Athletes make that much money because of the incredible amount of revenue they bring in. If a doctor or teacher was to be paid like that, where would his employer get the money from? You can't just pay someone more because they do something more "productive" in society, it's all about what the product of their work brings in. Also, sports are great for the economy.
Sport has been a big part of societies since the beginning of man. It allows fans to get away or be distracted from their real troubles, and enjoy a theater where no one knows the ending, and the event is both extremely significant and extremely insignificant at the same time. Following sports adds a very thrilling dimension to one's life. It's the perfect platform to invest your emotions.
You say that 100 or so people will be at your house on Sunday. That's awesome. That's another thing I love about sports. It unites people in almost unimaginable ways. I have had experiences of hugging strangers after a thrilling game, just because we are fans of the same team.
Sports is a major part of our society, and I believe tomorrow should be considered a holiday. But if you really think it's a myth or a "waste of time", I would look at your other actions and interests, and I bet I can argue many of those are wastes of time.
Nice and thought provoking post, however.
Maseeh M (AS Alum '08)
I believe that there is a myth of Super Bowl Sunday, but I do not agree that "people just buy into the myth that this game will determine the rest of their life and nothing else can happen on this Sunday except the game." For me much of the reasoning behind attending our annual Super Bowl Sunday party is to visit with family and friends. I know that probably 50 % of the people there are not actually interesting in the Super Bowl and the outcome. I might even be one of those people. I love watching the game and seeing all the commercials, but do I really care about the outcome of the game... no. Neither of the teams are teams I support, yet I am still going to watch the game. This annual event is more of a social event for me rather than a "life or death" event that is a must see.
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