Living Vicariously

[oldwomanc6 52]

I just do not understand the way people identify with the players in sports.

The Baltimore fans are going nuts as if they are the ones who won the freaking game.

Is this just the fact that most people never do anything of note?

Or something deeper in our collective psyche ?

I'm hoping that skydivers are "above" all that because they have done more than pretty much everyone, but ?


I admire those who excel, so don't get me wrong, but I just wont tie my ego to someone who has done something I will never do.

lisa
WSCR 594
FB 1023
CBDB 9

[JohnMitchell 16]

A lot of people do identify with their favorite teams. I can't explain it buy I'm still bummed the Hawks aren't in the SuperBowl this year.

I think, though, the more you have in your life the less you go overboard with fandom.

[FlyingRhenquest 1]

I think if you jump out of airplanes in a regular basis, your official title is "Extreme Athlete" and you're excluded from having to live vicariously through anyone else.

I'm trying to teach myself how to set things on fire with my mind. Hey... is it hot in here?

[quade 4]

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I just do not understand the way people identify with the players in sports.

Ever cry during a movie?

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Squeak 17]

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I think if you jump out of airplanes in a regular basis, your official title is "Extreme Athlete" and you're excluded from having to live vicariously through anyone else.

There's nothing "Extreme" or "Athletic" about gravity dragging your arse towards earth

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[FlyingRhenquest 1]

I think most whuffos would consider it at least a little "extreme", at least at the altitudes we do it from! Heh heh heh. Whenever I mention it I always get "Ooh! I always wanted to do that!" and then some excuse as to why they haven't, yet. At that point I just usually point 'em toward the vertical wind tunnel, which is a little less scary. At least I can talk a few people into considering trying that.

I'm trying to teach myself how to set things on fire with my mind. Hey... is it hot in here?

[Nataly 38]

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I think most whuffos would consider it at least a little "extreme", at least at the altitudes we do it from! Heh heh heh. Whenever I mention it I always get "Ooh! I always wanted to do that!" and then some excuse as to why they haven't, yet. At that point I just usually point 'em toward the vertical wind tunnel, which is a little less scary. At least I can talk a few people into considering trying that.

I find a lot of things hard to understand until I go and try them (or at least get some insight from someone who has)... Personally, I think the perception of skydiving as being "extreme" is perpetuated by films, one-time (or new) jumpers, and people who like to talk bullshit. It's not exactly a pansy sport, but I wouldn't call it extreme given today's equipment and technological advances... I think BASE still falls under the category of "extreme"... But then I don't base, and anyway everything is relative, I guess...

As for living vicariously and going nuts over any sports team's accomplishments (or losses)... Well... Gotta agree with Lisa... Just don't get it...

"There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse."
- Chris Hadfield
« Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. »
- my boss

[muff528 3]

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I just do not understand the way people identify with the players in sports.
...

Not a Baltimore fan but Ray Lewis is a hometown hero ....although he did graduate from a rival high school and then go to Miami.

...Go Ravens!

[FlyingRhenquest 1]

This has always kind of been my response. Though the Penny Arcade guys may be coming around on Football...

I'm trying to teach myself how to set things on fire with my mind. Hey... is it hot in here?

[Trafficdiver 8]

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The Baltimore fans are going nuts as if they are the ones who won the freaking game.

I woke up feeling like shit until I remembered that my life is still exactly the same as before the Pats lost.

So the other side of the coin is true as well.

[airdvr 210]

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I just do not understand the way people identify with the players in sports.

Ever cry during a movie?

Why yes...I do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJAO7Dp1mds

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[davjohns 1]

I call myself a Southern Atheist. That means I don't care about football. In the South, college ball receives more attention than relgigion...and they are pretty religious. But I was small as I went through school, so I played soccer and shot on the rifle team. I never played football or baseball, so I can't identify with those guys. That's why I participate in sports where I mostly depend on myself and my equipment.

I agree with you. Getting all worked up because someone you don't know excelled at a child's game seems silly.

I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet..

But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

[forblueskies 0]

Well, that's just it. For me, anyway. These football guys do something I will never get to do, being female, so I live through my team vicariously. It's also all about being with the other fans who are my friends, our rituals before the games, eating and drinking and catching up on our lives where we DO amazing things in our own lives.

I choose a player or two to follow, get to know them, and it's like following anyone in any endeavor. Fun to see them develop and perform and have fun. It in no way precludes me from developing and performing and having fun in the things I do. It is a way of life in the South, and fun to travel to away games all over the South in the fall.

[Erroll 80]

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Getting all worked up because someone you don't know excelled at a child's game seems silly.

Oh, I'm not so sure about that!

[jumpwally 0]

...and the word "athlete" should be removed,,,,

smile, be nice, enjoy life
FB # - 1083

[davjohns 1]

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This has always kind of been my response. Though the Penny Arcade guys may be coming around on Football...

Hey! I actually understood the reference to Firefly! I just watched that series. It was good. Spacecraft, good looking women, and blazing six guns. What's not to like? lol

I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet..

But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

[MikeJD 0]

I'm not a follower of team sports so it always seems a little alien to me when those who are say 'we' won a game, or 'we' are top of the league. If you were there physically cheering on your side then you might get a little credit for contributing to victory, but it's still pretty tenuous - likewise if your team suffers a humiliating defeat there's no real reason for you to feel wretched as a result.

But it's all about belonging, I guess, and you could extend the sporting model to lots of different realms.

Someone might be proud to be an American, without ever asking themselves what they as an individual have done to earn that pride.

When Gary Connery landed his wingsuit, I enjoyed the fact that it had been achieved 'by Britain' even though I personally didn't do so much as stack one cardboard box on top of another.

And it's not even limited to current events. Some improbably young people are ashamed of 'their' part in the slave trade. Others are proud of 'their' contribution to the liberation of Europe.

These associations make little sense - but they're just the way we are.