Sporting Events

It is no secret that the world, not just the USA, is enamored with athletes, and athletic contests. I have no problem with that. I do have a problem with the, so called, fans who take celebrating athletics and team victories or losses to life threatening and life ending levels. It becomes an horrific display of emotions overruling intelligence.

The aftermath of France’s victory in the World Cup is a perfect example of fan lunacy.  I do not vilify an entire country (in this instance, France) for the actions of some of its citizens who go nuts. We see it in many countries where exalted victories and defeats are responded to in frenzied, mob activity. It is lunacy, pure and simple.

Some believe that all sport is lunacy because, after all, it’s just a game.  I disagree.  All sport has an element of ridiculousness, often described as carrying a ball across a line, or putting a ball in a hole in the ground. In the end, what does it matter.  That misses the  point. It is the focusing of talent, training, practice, teamwork and stamina to the highest degree of achievement possible. That is not ridiculous.  However, it needs to be said that they give trophies (and considerable cash) for these achievements, not Pulitzer Prizes.  They are not typically life changing nor do they affect humanity in the way penicillin did. It is sport.  It is physical achievement. It is entertainment. It is not science or medicine.

When fans go out of control, as some did in the aftermath of the World Cup, it is no longer about the victory or loss. It is not about their joy or allegiance to a team or country. It is about their own lack of meaningful existence. It is a demonstration that they have little or no impulse control, and that intelligence and reason have been misplaced by raw emotion.  Emotion is a very good thing, but it needs boundaries.  The boundaries are intelligence, reason and a personal value/belief system firmly grounded in what is ultimately important in life.  These folks are sad and pathetic examples of  lives that are bankrupt of any real meaning.