Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Freakanomics Says its OK to Be a Fan

This is an interesting look at the opportunity costs associated with participating in, or watching sports. This is the only quote I quibble with: "You could argue that watching sports is a good social lubricant, it’s relaxing..." I find watching sports, specifically when its one of my team(s)) to the anything BUT relaxing. There are games (win or lose) where (either while it's happening, or after the fact) I find myself in a state of absolute anguish. And based on the comments, I know I'm not alone.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

2 times.

CAR said...

Relaxing? What is this guy talking about. I get so stressed out I can't sleep after losses. I left my apartment during the USC game on Saturday without my phone and went to the movies because I could not stand the stress of watching another loss.

Vandygal78 said...

Oh brother. If Vandy losses in a stupid way, I just want to hide under the covers. For Federer - Nadal matches, I wait until I know who won before watching my DVD recording- otherwise i am pacing the whole time. TMF! And the absolute worst - wait until you have children playing sports - argh! I might be smiling on the outside but heavens my insides are going crazy.

Andrew VU '04 said...

He must be speaking of general sports fandom, rather than the intense fandom of a person for an alma mater or professional "birth right" team (one you were born into due to geographical proximity/family, rather than chose to root for later in life). The latter two are gut-wrenching. However, if, like me, you used the Super Bowl as an excuse to get some friends together, eat way too much food, and as an excuse to party on a Sunday, it makes a lot of sense. The author just needs to distinguish between the two realms of fandom.