Macho Bullshit

[maiforpeace]

The glorification of contact sports like rugby, football, boxing etc....sports that destroy the body. I've been listening on some of the buildup of Bradley's upcoming bout against Pacquiao and am morbidly fascinated by the buildup, the honor bullshit, the religious bullshit...everything.

I expect an intelligent and bright man like Bradley realizes that he is a candidate for early onset Alzheimer's, chronic pain, etc. which in my opinion is no gift to your children or loved one despite his insistence that his wife and family inspire him to greatness as a boxer.

Sorry, but to all the sports fans who support these sports, I see it as no different than someone pushing a drink on an alcoholic.

[kiki5711]

I agree. American football, boxing, all just asking to be brain dead eventually. Reports are finally coming out about the dangers of these sports, but not too loudly, we wouldn't want to disturb the fans!

I respect sports more like martial arts competitions where there is more discipline involved rather than aggression.

Baseball bores me to death and so does basketball.

[Atheist-Lite]

It is so last century now. Maybe making it out ot be old hat is the best way to put off the next generation? Whilst other less violent things like amusing public sex games could become the new test for real men?

[Animavore]

I remember when a fan died in the mosh-pit at some metal concert in America and the issue came up on a talk show, something like Oprah but not her show I don't think. Marilyn Manson stepped in in defence of mosh-pits and in front of all these strait-laced fuddy-duddies, a bunch of norms who detest metal from the outset anyway, probably believing it to be Satanic etc.. and said [paraphrasing], "Every year in sports like American football numerous people die from related accidents and you're ok with that because it's all part of the sport and these athletes are your heroes. You hear of one person die in a mosh-pit and because it's metal and its different and you don't like it you jump at the first chance to be up in arms and call for a banning on these things."

Oh sweet hypocrisy.

[Audley Strange]

I generally do not get the attraction of sports, I get the attraction of playing them, but not the obsession with watching them. However many do and thus there is a lot of money in it for many people who have seen it as a career path, many of whom would be at best manual workers which also take the toll on the body.

If people want to injure themselves and each other for pay and others entertainment, so be it.

[Animavore]

So you don't appreciate a nice goal or a skilful pot or graceful ice-skating performance?

[Rum]

American football always strikes me as pretty tactical, unlike our rugby, which is far less so.. Bruising no doubt though!

[Ian]

Football is indeed the best sport on earth.

[Animavore]

Yes. It is.

What's that Rollerball looking thing on the YouTube video?

[Audley Strange]

So you don't appreciate a nice goal or a skilful pot or graceful ice-skating performance?

In and of itself, I can appreciate talent even though I might not appreciate what forms it takes and I'd hardly call Snooker or it's derivatives a sport.

[Animavore]

So you don't appreciate a nice goal or a skilful pot or graceful ice-skating performance?

In and of itself, I can appreciate talent even though I might not appreciate what forms it takes and I'd hardly call Snooker or it's derivatives a sport.

Why ever not?

sport
noun
1.
an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc.

[JacksSmirkingRevenge]

I'm not keen on any ball games as I find them boring and despise all the hype and bullshit that precedes a boxing match. I do, however, like to watch boxing...particularly fights in the lighter categories.
I doubt they are quite as dangerous as some people would have us believe...especially in comparison to some motor sports, etc.
I wonder how many people have been killed playing squash? I can name two people immediately, one of whom I knew personally.

As for concerns about the futures of loved ones of boxers as raised in the op...well, you know the risks too and if you're not prepered to share them then don't marry a boxer. Simple enough, I think.

[Thumpalumpacus]

So, don't play them.

/problem.

In and of itself, I can appreciate talent even though I might not appreciate what forms it takes and I'd hardly call Snooker or it's derivatives a sport.

Agreed. My rule of thumb is, if I can smoke a cigarette and drink a beer while playing it, it's a game, not a sport.

[Rum]

It's also worth pointing out that here the macho bullshit often extends onto the stadiums and spectators with football anyway. American spectator sports seem much more family friendly. Hard to imagine a riot between fans of two American football teams!

[maiforpeace]

I generally do not get the attraction of sports, I get the attraction of playing them, but not the obsession with watching them. However many do and thus there is a lot of money in it for many people who have seen it as a career path, many of whom would be at best manual workers which also take the toll on the body.

If people want to injure themselves and each other for pay and others entertainment, so be it.

It's still macho bullshit.

So you don't appreciate a nice goal or a skilful pot or graceful ice-skating performance?

I absolutely do appreciate a nice goal or graceful ice-skating performance. I specified contact sports. For example, soccer/football doesn't glorify pitting "man against man" at the cost of possibly doing serious bodily damage to either yourself or your opponent. It's masochistic. On the part of the spectator, it's sadistic. Boxing? I can't watch more than one or two punches without being sickened and must stop watching it, it's revolting to me.