This is going to be the last post about Sports. But first, I have a massive confession to make:
I watched the Superbowl.
I not only watched it, I thought it was completely awesome. Perhaps it was the magnitude of the championship game, and the fact that so many others were watching, gripped to the results of the outcome. I have so many friends from Pittsburgh and knew that most, including President Obama, were pulling for Pittsburgh. I wanted President Obama to be happy. I especially wanted my trio drummer, Matt, a massive Steelers fan who yells at the TV during games, to be in a good mood. We had a rehearsal the next day.
In the second half, as both teams seemed to be the victor at different points, especially towards the end, I could feel the nail biting excitement. I suppose that's what this whole sports thing is about. I can't imagine feeling that kind of intensity all season long, as many do. But for this one special game, I can honestly say I got it. Then again, not all games are like this one.
For a non-sports fan, I seem to have luck catching these once in a lifetime games. There is much talk about how this was the 'Best Superbowl Ever.' And when I was much younger, I would occasionally join friends attending the local UC Berkeley college football games. The last one I went to, when I was fourteen, ended with one of the most famous plays in sports history, forever known as 'The Play.'
Ironically, it involved musicians screwing everything up. The Stanford marching band walked on the field, assuming the game was over and their team had won. They got knocked down by the Cal football players, who made a last minute a touchdown. Read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Play
It didn't make me a lifelong sports fan, but I'm proud to have been at a history making game, one that friends who are much younger and much more dedicated sports fans have all heard of. I think it was at that point when I realized I'll never see a better play and never went to another football game afterwards.
On that note, here is the last installment in my 'sports series.' Thanks for bearing with me on this three part epic blog. From this point on, we change subjects!
It's A Sports World (Part III)
Recently I've been wondering something: how did sports take over our society? Not only is it all anyone talks about in the street, you can’t escape it in the media. Every news program has a sports update. Every newspaper has a sports section. The latest sports scores flash across our TV screens, even during major events such as national emergencies and Presidential news conferences. Do we really need to know who’s winning what at all times? Is this even ‘news?’
In case all that isn’t enough, cable TV has generously provided us with the sports fans wet dream: ESPN where you have 24/7, round the clock sports coverage, seven days a week. And as if that wasn't enough, they’ve added ESPN II, ESPN III, ESPN classic and more.
“And why not?” you may ask. After all, music has its outlets too. There's MTV, MTVII, VH1, VH1 Classic etc…
But there's a big difference: you can count on the sports channels showing sports while music channels play less and less music. And the little music that is covered is limited to a handpicked selection of watered down, mainstream pop.
It's all a reflection of the dumbing down of the United States. I’m not saying people who like sports are stupid. Case in point: my father, a respected sociology professor with a PhD from Yale. He's as much a football junkie as my metalhead friends (in fact, last year he came over and we watched the Super Bowl together). It's just that too much of our population is overly obsessed with sports and ignorant of other fields, especially arts. In other countries, especially those in Europe, arts are encouraged, supported by the government and media and consequently appreciated by the population. And it's not as if people abroad don't like their sports, either. Look at the popularity of European football (soccer), rugby, the Tour De France etc... they just have a better balance between arts and sports.
In the US, it's a different story. American high schools and universities spend millions on on brand new football stadiums, yet plead poverty when it comes to art and music programs. This makes no sense whatsoever. Arts not only add color to an otherwise drab, grey existence, they are proven to develop life skills. Remove the arts from society and everyone suffers.
Many star athletes are tragic examples of this, having been shuffled through school, barely passing their exams and thrown into high profile sports careers. No wonder so many of them are making news, not for their high scores, but for their criminal trials.
I envision a world in which music, literature, painting, dance and other under appreciated art forms hold the same place in our society that sports does. Imagine if, instead of the constant sports updates we had arts updates. On TV, you could watch a Pa Pei player live from China on one channel, flamenco dancers and guitarists from Spain on another, modern dancers on another, throat singers from Tuva on another etc... There would be an entire channel devoted to the life and work of Frank Zappa. On another channel, you'd have live book readings and Q and A sessions with Phillip Roth, Erica Jong, Tom Wolfe, David Sedaris and Tom Robbins and perspectives on other essential books by late authors like Henry Miller and Kurt Vonnegut.
In this utopian vision of mine, you could have your sports but guys like me would have our interests get equal time. People on the street would be bonding over arts the way they do sports. Life wouldn't be just about 'the game' but also 'the concert,' 'the album,' 'the book,' 'the painting, etc.... If life we're more like this, I could avoid being a 'sports freak' without feeling like such a freak.
12 comments:
Not only do athletes suffer, but the nation suffers when the arts are not present. There are TONS of studies that prove music improves math and science skills. Imagine a world where art thrives as much as sports, and we could have the cure for cancer in a few years.
Oooh yeah. The world would be a better place.
And it would be a great feeling knowing my friends and I (who generally talk a lot about the arts) weren't such outcasts. We like sports too.. but we talk about art honestly a lot more than we catch a game on t.v.
Kudos.
We need to find balance among both sports and art worlds. Art civilizes. Our society and others is due to creative forces. Arts/Sports are both mental and physical on different levels and have their place. We need to find a balance but the world of sports makes the most money and the exposure is greater with the newer generations being more influenced. They identify with the sports source/figure more than a great musician/artist/writer. I would much prefer if Art predominated.
why is it that you are considered "cultured" if you go to an Opera or a Museum, but not a Testament concert. I'm not joking either. I have this debate all the time. Who decides what "cultured" is?
I know i digressed a bit there, but with regards to sports being in newspapers, tv, etc, you must remember it has a lot to do with community. Most New Yorkers are rooting for the Yankees or Mets, most Bostonians are voting for the Red Sox. This is the same in Europe with soccer.
I fully agree that Universities put too much emphasis on sports programs. I understand they bring in huge dollars, but it's essentially going against the mission of a University to provide a higher education.
I saw this today in the news... figured it would go along with this some what.
"Governor Granholm plans to eliminate the Department of History, Arts and Libraries by next fiscal year.
The $52 million department houses the Michigan Historical Museum and the Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, among others. It's also responsible for doling out grants to hundreds of non-profit arts agencies across the state.
Liz Boyd is the governor's press secretary. She says, right now, arts aren't a priority."
... maybe.
but are sports really that big of a priority in the worst state in the nation economically?
Very well said ! Its sad that here, especially as compared to other countries, there is such a huge gap between sports and arts. However, I think that we as a society, are being proactive and taking steps in the right direction. The arts play crucial roles in so many areas of development and should get far more recognition than they do. With that being said though, I do believe that with continual awareness, we can lessen the gap that exists between these two areas
I can't speak enough on how critical a role the arts play in ones selg. I could speak for hours on the crucial roles this area can play in further devolpment neurologically, socially, in many different ways. It is completely different, when looking at different countries, how much more of a balance there is between athletics and the arts. It is tragic that here, we still display such a huge lack of interest and ignorance in equaling that balance. I think Gia is right when she says that we are being proactive in SLOWLY moving in the right direction. However, when we hear news, like M mentioned, then it reminds us of how we are still taking steps back as well !
Hi Alex,
I am so glad that you enjoyed the SuperBowl. As a rule they are usually boring and totally blow out games but this one was a definate nail biter.. I really didn't care who won, however I was rooting for the Cardinals. I always hope the underdog will win.
Music. I work in a Highschool where we have a "MH" ( Multiple Handicapped)class. Every year these very special kids put on a play for the entire school. They can range from the"The Wizard of Oz" and "Grease As you can imagine alot of work and patience goes into preparing these young adults to remember their lines,know when and where to stand on the stage. Usually the play takes place in May but they begin practicing in March and the people that help them know that it is a long road and alot of time and effort are needed. You can't imagine the joy of these young people when all their hard work lead to a standing ovation from their parents,peers and teachers. It is something I have experienced and cannot be expressed in any amount of words.
I could never imagine a school year going by without this class putting on a musical for us. It would be very sad and I for one would miss it.
I grew up with music in my life. My Aunt graduated from Julliard and sang at the old Metropolitan Opera House. I was lucky enough to spend two weeks in Italy where she took me to the open opera house where we saw " LaTraviata" It was nothing like I had experienced in my entire life and something I will never forget.
Sports... Yes they are important and I like them as much as the next person but in the right place,the right time and with the right people.
Music.... Fits everywhere!
I agree with you. I may be a huge NASCAR fan, but I still enjoy my music and arts all the same. Even as a fan, I don't want to be surrounded by the sport everyday. Most of the time, I would rather read a book, listen to music or work on sudoku, crossword and jigsaw puzzles. I think that people would find that society would be a whole lot better off if sports were toned down a bit in order for us to grasp the importance of arts and sciences.
"...I have a massive confession to make:I watched the Superbowl..."
Next step: After this important event, you need to buy a football flag, and put the wall of your room! hahahahahahahah !
No matter how much we may wish it otherwise, the pervasive emphasis on sports is a fact of life in the U.S., and the high school in which I teach is no exception. For example, the football team here won a state championship over twenty-five years ago, and those players are still revered as legends whenever they grace our halls or stadium. I actually like football, but it really does begin to approach ridiculous.
I have a few students who are metal fans (including Testament, of course), and these guys could not be further from the small-town jock persona that always gets the attention and perks around here. As part of my ongoing (some would say subversive) effort to prove to these kids that varsity letters aren't the only measure of success in life, I gave the SkolNotes link to one of them, mentioned Hooters girls, and off he went. Later, he said in passing, "I know just how he feels," and I couldn't help but smile because what he really meant was that YOU, Alex, knew what HE felt, and that connection is priceless.
Thanks for demonstrating again that in the real world, people who fit into some kids' vision of success (guitar god, for example) are not always limited to a strict stereotypical mold, especially one that they themselves have never felt comfortable with. Long hair and an affinity for black doesn't preclude the ability to achieve. My "metal guys" need to see that they can be successful in many different ways, and that success can be judged by many standards. You've helped my send my message!:)
Good thoughts,all. Yes, people need to be reminded that they can think for themselves and not follow what society expects them to do.
History Teacher, thanks so much for sharing that Finding a source that lets you know you're not alone is invaluable. I'm glad to help with that. Best of luck to you and your students.
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