Sports: Just a distraction from things that matter?

[JW2020]

http://coolrevolution.net/2013/02/03/sports-just-a-distraction-from-things-that-matter/

Now there are other media too whose basic social role is quite different: it’s diversion. There’s the real mass media–the kinds that are aimed at, you know, Joe Six Pack–that kind. The purpose of those media is just to dull people’s brains.

This is an oversimplification, but for the eighty percent or whatever they are, the main thing is to divert them. To get them to watch National Football League…. Just get them away. Get them away from things that matter. And for that, it’s important to reduce their capacity to think.

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. 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 mean, I don’t know anybody on the team, you know? I mean, they have nothing to do with me, I mean, why I am cheering for my team? It doesn’t mean any–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. That’s also a feature of competitive sports. I think if you look closely at these things, I think, typically, they do have functions, and that’s why energy is devoted to supporting them and creating a basis for them and advertisers are willing to pay for them and so on.

- Noam Chomsky

[ileus]

1. Sports; where we celebrate mans accomplishments first.

[HappyMe]

2. Okay then.

People are quite capable of caring about issues and enjoying sports.

[Major Nikon]

13. One should think Chomsky is smart enough not to invent a false dichotomy fallacy to make a point

Evidently not.

[canoeist52]

3. Sports - soap opera for men...and some percentage of women. Oh the drama!

[HappyMe]

6. Politics is a big soap opera much of the time.

Oh the drama!

[BeyondGeography]

4. Passion, emotion, excitement, grace, beauty, competition with something resembling an honest result

Those things matter.

Another swing and a miss by Chomsky.

[JW2020]

9. You think professional sports is honest?

[BeyondGeography]

11. I think professional sports is a fraction of what sports is all about

There's so much you don't know.

&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[HappyMe]

31. Few things in life are completely honest.

[Buzz Clik]

5. Nice post, JWnumbers. Didn't know you were a Chomsky fan. We'll make a socialist of you yet!

Of course, watching the video gives a perspective far beyond the just the text.

[LuvNewcastle]

7. It sure feels that way when I see people rioting

after a sports event. I wish they cared so much about what's going on politically, the things that actually affect their daily lives.

[treestar]

8. People have control over themselves

They could attend to "things that matter" if they chose to. If others can distract us, it's because we let them. If we are such victims of these people that we let them distract us, what it to be done about it? This thinking encourages hopelessness.

[no_hypocrisy]

10. That, and confusing celebrity sitings with news.

[trumad]

12. Awww now here comes the always picked last crowd....

Chip on their shoulders ever since.

Guess what---I got laid last night and it distracted the shit out of me for about 30 seconds.

[pintobean]

14. I mean, I think

learn to multitask, Noam.

[JW2020]

15. Is Chomsky under the bus?

That's a sport right there. Stuffing lefty personalities who stray from talking points under buses!

[pintobean]

16. Are sports fans under the bus

just because Chomsky doesn't care for them? Insulting so many millions of people is just dumb.

[JW2020]

17. I think that sports fans are somatized.

It's corporate propaganda and distraction rolled up into one big money ball.

[flvegan]

19. Oh, like politics you mean?

[JW2020]

21. True. But more people follow sports than politics.

[flvegan]

25. Your point?

[pintobean]

20. What a shame.

[JW2020]

22. I can tell you are heartbroken.

Nothing phases you, does it? Always quick with a flippant response.

[pintobean]

26. Not always

just when I think it's warranted. Two weeks in and you think you've got me pegged - a period in which I haven't posted much. Been here before, or just lurked for years?

[Seeking Serenity]

18. Yes, because people should be concentrating

on domestic and world politics, 24/7/365. And any distraction from that is indicative that one just a selfish, unfeeling bourgeois who clearly doesn't care.

[The2ndWheel]

28. Not that there's much anyone can do about domestic or world politics either

You're not going to meet most, if anyone, associated with domestic or world politics in your life. If that's the standard for caring.

The biggest distraction people have are probably jobs in general. You have to do that every day, during your most productive time of the day.

[Chan790]

23. Trying to be as unsnide as possible...

but , "duh!" It's not even new. "panem et circenses" (bread and circuses)

Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses
-Juvenal, Satire X, around 100AD

No "bread" even, per-say, since they stopped giving us government cheese.

[loli phabay]

24. sports are not a matter of life and death, they are more important than that

First thing i always look at when i come online is my teams website, then the team gossip, then the rivals page. Sports are a big thing with a lot and i mean a lot of people. Same as music is for some or even certain tv shows. I love how some people think that their priorities should be everyone elses and if its not then everyone else is an idiot or brainwashed.

[Logical]

27. Watching sports is no dumber than watching American Idol or watching Mad Men.....

it is entertainment.

Playing sports is enjoyable.

But maybe people putting sports figures or actors on a pedestal is the issue.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

29. When Lover Boy and I were dating I got to enjoy football because it's a thing in their family

and their enthusiasm is contagious. I don't have a team. I can cheer well-executed plays from both teams in the same game.

That being said I have to take exception to the notion that it is "another crucial example of the indoctrination system." Oh really? And what should we do? Rigorously instruct our children to set aside their naturally occurring competitive impulses? (HINT: that's another way of saying "indoctrinate.&quot Sports didn't evolve in a vacuum Mr. Chomsky.

The Olympics were born from warriors testing their warrior skills in a venue that wasn't war. If the need for contest can be satisfied without resorting to bloodshed in fair, measured competition then Mr. Chomsky should be supporting, not grousing.

And if you complain about the competitive impulses of Man then you complain about Man.

And Woman too.

Here, after millennium of exclusion women finally get to compete on their own terms because they want to. They want to test themselves. They want to push their limits. They want to excel to ever-higher peaks -- and we're told they're just feeding the distraction from more important things. Society came to terms with women athletes and because of women athletes society realizes how much more women have to contribute in fields of practical science, government and social welfare.

(ASIDE -- We were watching the women's beach volleyball and I asked Lover Boy which sport his male sexist urges made him appreciate more: beach volleyball or gymnastics. He replied: curling, because it was good to see a woman with a broom in her hand for a change. So, I slugged him.)

What are we to do, Mr. Chomsky. Sit in sackcloth and ashes until the world is perfect? None of us has that kind of time. These aren't distractions, these are respites. We don't live to toil, we toil that we may live. We are to love and dance and share laughs and -- yes -- even try for the occasional 4th and goal.

Yes, there are those that take things too far. Such is the case with everything. But the incessant drunkard is not sufficient cause to impose a tee-totaling morality on the occasional reveler.

[Major Nikon]

30. Dear Mr. Chomsky,

[Inkfreak]

38. He's prolly a Jets fan. They are a dour bunch. n/t

[RB TexLa]

32. Knitting: Just a distraction from things that matter?

Opera: Just a distraction from things that matter?

Movies: Just a distraction from things that matter?

Amusement parks: Just a distraction from things that matter?

Gardening: Just a distraction from things that matter?

Jogging: Just a distraction from things that matter?

[HappyMe]

37. Time wasters!!1

We must all stomp around with sour expressions, ready to attack fun at every turn!

[WinkyDink]

33. Is this another Hooters thread?

[Iggo]

34. What's the name of the new Kardashian kid?

It ain't just sports, babe.

[Scurrilous]

35. @#$% Chomsky!

[olddots]

36. Chomsky sounds like me on this subject

I do watch and participate in sports but his point comes from critically thinking about what role sports play in life.

[Inkfreak]

39. Watch AP run downfield and tell me it's not a thing of beauty.

Never mind the amazing talent shown by some 1st & 2nd year QBs last season. And fucking Megatron!!!! Whateva duuuuude.