Watching Kevin Negandhi on Sportscenter reminded me of a very difficult truth. All of this is built as a house of cards. I am saying this as an observer and participant in a culture that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Follow me here: We have dozens of sports channels on cable TV. Espn has maybe 8 of its own. This glut of channels is relatively new. When I was a kid there wasn’t even a ESPN. Why do they exist? To inform you about the sports of the world. In other words, these channels exist purely to inform us about what matters to us. They are commercial enterprises that make money based on how many advertisers are willing to buy ad space to sell us things they want us to buy. Yes, virtually all TV is this way, but with sport it is more specific.
My kids play youth sports, and I’d be lying to you if I didn’t, at least subconsciously, think about them parlaying that talent to something professional, collegiate, or at least highlight worthy. I’m trained to do so. Sportscenter, smartly, shows me highlights of games at all levels. I don’t go a week without seeing a game clip of some kid doing a spectacular play. I also feel like I’m given so much information that the sheer volume of it ensures its importance. I can no longer name the periodic table, but I can name every relevant player on every roster in the NBA.
I don’t even watch basketball.
I haven’t seen a full game since last year’s NBA finals. That isn’t even entirely about the TV. Its about the video games, the commercials–all of it working together to manufacture importance towards something that really isn’t. Who knows if we will ever stop caring. I cannot hope the house comes crashing down, because there are millions of good people employed by the industry of sport. I just wish they (we) all focused on something a little more important to humanity.
Some Thoughts:
- I’m starting to recognize how hard it must’ve been to be a fan of anyone else during the Bulls epic Jordan years. Now, with the spotlight firmly centered over the Warriors, nobody else can be seen. Forget for a moment that the Spurs (who’ve been doing it for decades, right?) are barely a few losses behind the warriors and well in line to break the 72-10 record. Forget that there happens to be an entire Eastern Conference. No, this is all about the Warriors and nobody else counts–unless you happen to screw up. Then you matter enough to be laughed at and serve as a reminder that the Warriors cannot be stopped.
- This case in Egypt really illustrates the false construct of justice in the world. I mean really? Mistaken identity ought to be sorted out before the trial and subsequent guilty verdict. And once that happens you cannot just take the closest available human and blame him.
- Apologies for the late night blogs. They ain’t good.