Why do we watch sporting events?

Well, I watch the ones I enjoy. Because….I enjoy them. I’m sure you can get hot dogs and hamburgers from a lot of other places. For a lot cheaper.

To practice psychic abilities? ‘da fuq?

No, I watch sports because I like sports. Particularly Association Football and Baseball.

@Darth_Algar Some people believe that traditions can affect the team’s success. Like burying a jersey or coin in the stadium. Also its competing sides that can not be easily divined, but is fun to try. Like projecting your power to the home team.

Superstition isn’t the same as psychic abilities. Besides, I don’t think too many people seriously believe in that stuff, it’s all just a bit of fun.

As far as divining the results – there’s two teams competing, so you have a 50/50 chance of being right. Not much in this world that’s easier than that.

Just like nationalism and “patriotism” (which is an euphemism for nationalism”, it is an anachronistic outgrowth of tribalism inherited from your prehistoric caveman era.
Disgusting.

I watch to escape reality and for the athletic spectacle. I realize that a lot of professional sports is rigged. It’s fun to see some fans that get so excited all caught up in the fantasy.

Chomsky on sports:

“Take, say, sports — that’s another crucial example of the indoctrination system, in my view. For one thing because it — you know, it offers people something to pay attention to that’s of no importance. That keeps them from worrying about things that matter to their lives that they might have some idea of doing something about. And in fact it’s striking to see the intelligence that’s used by ordinary people in [discussions of] sports [as opposed to political and social issues]. I mean, you listen to radio stations where people call in — they have the most exotic information and understanding about all kind of arcane issues. And the press undoubtedly does a lot with this.

You know, I remember in high school, already I was pretty old. I suddenly asked myself at one point, why do I care if my high school team wins the football game? I don’t know anybody on the team. They have nothing to do with me, I mean, why I am cheering for my team? It doesn’t make sense. But the point is, it does make sense: it’s a way of building up irrational attitudes of submission to authority, and group cohesion behind leadership elements — in fact, it’s training in irrational jingoism.”

I don’t enjoy sports so I don’t watch sports. Now, if I come to your home and you have a football game on your TV, I will watch it without whining. At the same time, if you come to my home and request I turn the TV to a football game, it’s not going to happen

The only sport that I ever watched regularly was WWE wrestling many years back. I found the sport to be mindless, yet the storyline was a lot like watching a soap opera and I found it challenging to figure out the outcome before it happened. I got so good that when they were announcing the next week’s matches that I could write down a synopsis of the coming attraction, put it in an envelope, and seal it. Then after each match, hubs would open the envelope to read what I had predicted. I was 99.9% accurate most matches

Shit, well if Chomsky doesn’t like sports then that makes me want to watch more. Seriously, is there anything the man finds enjoyment in?

Rick is a football fanatic. He played in high school. It’s easy appreciate the athleticism involved, and to pretend it’s yourself.
The only sport I like watching on TV is volleyball, because I know the game and I know how it’s played. Rick doesn’t know the game, so to him it’s boring.

It’s entertainment much like a movie, an Opera, or a ballet. Watching the best in the world perform at the peak of their career is amazing. I can enjoy watching any sport whether it’s baseball or bowling. Those that follow the teams, players, etc. do it as a hobby. I( can’t tell you who was the shortstop on which team in ‘89 world series because I don’t have that hobby but I do enjoy watching the games.

“We” don’t.

Football season takes over our lives and I hate it.

Cause people are still animals deep inside of them, and we truly love to compete with each other

Of course we’re animals. What else would be be?

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Haplorhini
Infraorder: Simiiformes
Family: Hominidae
Subfamily: Homininae
Tribe: Hominini
Genus: Homo
Linnaeus, 1758

Women’s beach volleyball should go pro. It should do very well. Best part of the Olympics. HA!

I would hate to be forced to wear the skin tight uniforms they require.
Is there a sexy dress code for men’s volleyball?

There should be.
See through string Tangas and lots of oil.

To add more of a psychological aspect to this thread, sporting events are seen as an opiate to the masses. This means that the anticipation and excitement of a sporting event brings around a euphoric state which is seen to be addictive.