So, I've had moments in the past where I might have spent 30 seconds thinking about this subject but ultimately I don't give a fuck about competitive sports so my analysis usually ends up being, all competitive sports should be banned because competitive sports are dumb. Which is admittedly a neanderthal take.

But yeah, now the global athletic showdown is going down and seemingly everyone in my immediate vicinity keeps clutching their pearls and I guess I'm sick of not being able to advocate for trans comrades appropriately and articulate a proper response.

So what's a better response besides, "who cares?" Am I missing something? Like, if all things were equitable, what would or should competitions look like?

Help me out. I honestly have no idea.

    • buckykat [none/use name]
      ·
      5 months ago

      So play sports with your friends for fun. This shit where people care about the outcome of strangers playing games is weird and bad.

      • large_goblin [he/him, comrade/them]
        ·
        5 months ago

        This is a really lazy and dismissive argument so I'm not sure why I'm bothering to write a full response.

        I watch sports for the community aspect and because it's enjoyable to watch anything performed on a high enough level.

        When I watch a professional game I see the clash of competing styles within that sport, sometimes with radically different approaches to the game. Those styles have decades if not centuries of history that can be traced through different clubs, coaches and individuals.

        There's also something fascinating about seeing individuals perform on a level that noone I know ever could and following their journeys across 20-30 year careers.

        When it comes to playing sports with my friends for fun, I did, but then I got older and it would take a huge amount of organising to get us on the same field for two hours. We can all watch a match together online though.

        I also played esports on a level that could be considered competitive, for money, even if admittedly my own skill level was very mid. Playing 4 day lan events where teams adapt and adjust to each other and a meta develops over each day and then coming out the winner at the end only increased my appreciation and enjoyment of watching people with 100x my ability go through the same process on a much bigger stage with far higher stakes.

        I have to ask - do you not enjoy anything that is popular, in a community or with your friends? Should people stop going to concerts because they can go play some instruments with their friends? What about people who love sports but aren't physically able to play? Or the sport is not popular where they live?

        • keepcarrot [she/her]
          ·
          5 months ago

          So, I enjoy being around my friends, but:

          "I have to ask - do you not enjoy anything that is popular, in a community or with your friends"

          Apparently not. My vibes are usually wishing I was at home with a few friends and drinks chatting about something inane. I go to concerts and theatre etc as a social activity to support my friends on stage, and I go to events to help with set up, but every time I watch people competitively play video games I think "why am I not playing this video game with my friends"? Also, concerts and public attendance events are loud.

          I feel like I'm the odd one out though.

      • regul [any]
        ·
        5 months ago

        I like watching sports and caring about the outcome with my friends.