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Brains, Brawns and Spectacle: Superbowl Boycott
Categories: Blogs, Features

Sometimes, people come so close to hitting the mark but miss big.


Mark Dice, conspiracy theorist and Alex Jones acolyte, would like people to boycott the Super Bowl on Sunday and “read a book.” On the surface, I both understand and to an extent, completely agree. Before unweildy mobs of football fans show up at my door hurling beer and chicken wings, let me add that I don’t exactly hate football or sports – but I also don’t enjoy them.

Like these guys, but sporting jerseys and sweatpants

Like these guys, but sporting jerseys and sweatpants

Image credit: http://www.mcphee.com

I’m not going to debate the merits or faults of Dice’s theories or those of Alex Jones. Drinking the pitcher of Kool-Aid they offer or writing off everything either has ever said without question are equally ridiculous. In his little rant though, Dice does bring up an important point, even if he’s too self congratulating to notice: “When we have a society that knows and cares more about sports than they do about events that actually affect their lives, I think that’s a problem…

The problem is not one specifically limited to sports, but as an example, the Superbowl may shine the brightest. Americans love spectacle, passive entertainment and orgies of consumption. We’ve based most of our economy on this trilogy and allowed it to become our primary method of engaging our political system. 1

The “debate” that follows Dice’s initial statement works to solidify our love of style over substance. The sportscaster scoffs at the idea that a society more interested in the results of a game than its imprint on the world might have its priorities out of line. 2 He first deflects by pointing out he’ll be spending time with his family – but adds “the only yelling I’m going to do is probably at my wife when I need another sandwich.” Game related cheers and jeers aside, that’s probably true – and it’s likely the millions of conversations that will happen by folks surrounding televisions will be nearly 100% game related or food and beverage related. He later points out the merits of football as a way of educating his children in basic math, which unfortunately highlights the absymal state of education in America. Another newscaster comments on the economic boon the Superbowl will be with millions ordering pizzas – another fine example of a limping economy based on consumption rather than creation. 3

Though we definitely can act it, most Americans aren’t stupid, even football proves that. It takes a decent amount of brainpower to remember statistics, history, game strategy and betting strategy. Unfortunately, it’s so much misappropriated focus. We’ll spend countless hours, dollars and energy on this one game, then we’ll spend the same on March Madness, the World Series, the Stanley Cup and varried playoffs. In between, we’ll throw an equal amount of time and talent into Hallmark holidays and celebrity awards shows.

Whether sports fans or not, Americans need to wake up. When the closest we come to political discourse is attempting to prove birther myths and death panel falicies, when economic innovation amounts to another fast food franchise, when security amounts to fear of breast implant bombs and foreign policy amounts to adjusting laws to justify torture, we’ve got a problem. When we spend more time dreaming up new advertisements and campaign slogans, we’ve got a problem. When “family time” amounts to little more than circling around a television to watch other people do something athletic, we’ve got a problem.

Hopefully, we won’t be too hungover Monday to get to work on it. 4

1 Noam Chomsky pointed out “People…have no hesitation in criticizing the coaches, the judgments of the people running the shows, etc. In contrast, when discussing matters of concern to human lives — their own and others — people tend to defer to ‘experts,’ though for the most part the expert knowledge is no more beyond them than how the local professional sports team should play their next game.” While you’re at it, read this as well.

2 Dice does no better in this debate – he would rather the masses show interest in only *his* brand of ideas – rather than an interest in self reflection.

3 It’s also worth noting that the sportscaster points out what a great event this is for the people of New Orleans. While I have no question that it’s very honorable and uplifiting for New Orleanseans to have their team in the Superbowl, it’s more than shameful the majority of America will pay more attention to the team than they have to a city still decimated and trying to rebuild from a disaster that occurred more than four years ago.

4 In order to avoid accusations of being a sanctimonious intellectual or bratty hipster, for the record, I have never watched an entire Superbowl all the way through and this year won’t be any different. I won’t however, be doing anything intellectual or cool. Superbowl Sunday will be like any other Sunday for me, so I’ll probably spend it playing video games, watching cartoons and drinking cheap wine or moderatly priced beer, depending what I can afford to piss away.

Article by Aaron Cynic

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8 Comments to “Brains, Brawns and Spectacle: Superbowl Boycott”

  1. nicola says:

    I have to admit my critism of this article as a New Orleans resident…there’s nothing more I want to do tomorrow than be with New Orleanians tomorrow. I’d prefer to be around an AM radio and eating veggie burgers and Zapp’s, but the point is the comradery and spirit. I never followed football in my life, but when you see folks dancing on the sidewalks sayin’ who dat say dey gonna beat dem saints?? you can’t help but get into it. I don’t see the point of a boycott of a thing that is bringing people together. Perhaps a boycott of the things that associate themselves with major sports events: heavy drinking, overconsumption, inactivity. Superbowl parties where we promote positive social spaces, maybe outdoors with a radio, and even a halftime game of touch football to boycott the ads. I dunno. But New Orleans is a very special place right now and boycotting this game would almost seem contradictory to improving the spirit of this city. Its hard to deny the magnetism of sports…why do you think the corporations stick to it like glue?

  2. [...] Cynic writes at Diatribe: Though we definitely can act it, most Americans aren’t stupid, even football proves that. It [...]

  3. Aaron says:

    Nic – I think you make quite a few great points here. I can definitely get behind the comradery and spirit and jubilation in the streets (alcohol fueled or not). I’m not only talking about this particular Superbowl here and really, I’m not only talking about football in general. When the Sox took the series here in Chicago, even I felt a bit of civic pride an interest in the after celebrations. But, I think the spectacle and culture surrounding any major sport – as you say, the heavy drinking, overconsumption and inactivity is what the problem here is.

    I guess what I’m used to seeing in many cases is groups of people who come together to share and celebrate something, but are more on their own little islands that only interact through the event (be it football or baseball or golf or the oscars or whatever), rather than with the event and with each other.

    If anything, I think corporations own the magnetism of sports and people should take it back. Unfortunately, that’s more than an uphill battle, you know?

  4. [...] Cynic writes at Diatribe: Though we definitely can act it, most Americans aren’t stupid, even football proves that. It [...]

  5. Aaron says:

    Nick P over at the Black Sun Gazette has done a fine job of asking some pointed questions about Alex Jones along with taking some of his ideas and relationships to task. I completely agree. Check it out here: http://blacksungazette.com/?p=1837

  6. so that is just what becomes of darwanism

  7. lolol where’s a light beer once you want one

  8. While I recognize your stance I am unable to in reality accept as true with what you have stated here.