The future of fanaticism

RedMyMind2.0

Senior
Apr 9, 2020
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I've been noticing that the older generations tend to be super into sports and tie their emotional wellbeing to sports to a much higher degree than younger people. The data also backs this up. So what is the future of sports and role in society? I can see sports becoming just another experience to enjoy on par with things like going to the movies, concerts, etc. A more diversification of entertainment and less polarizing. You could argue that the win at all costs to satisfy the lust of fanatics has been an unhealthy catalyst for many of the ills of modern college football.

I think the decline of fanaticism has happened as more and more options for entertainment have become available. What was it like in the olden days? Was football the only real thing going on except for some movies and sappy tv shows?
 

Walleye 1

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Mar 7, 2021
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BigTeethNoNeck

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Nov 1, 2025
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I've been noticing that the older generations tend to be super into sports and tie their emotional wellbeing to sports to a much higher degree than younger people. The data also backs this up. So what is the future of sports and role in society? I can see sports becoming just another experience to enjoy on par with things like going to the movies, concerts, etc. A more diversification of entertainment and less polarizing. You could argue that the win at all costs to satisfy the lust of fanatics has been an unhealthy catalyst for many of the ills of modern college football.

I think the decline of fanaticism has happened as more and more options for entertainment have become available. What was it like in the olden days? Was football the only real thing going on except for some movies and sappy tv shows?
Yes the older generation is a bunch of dumb ***** with no emotional intelligence that beat women over football games this is not a new development
 

RedMyMind2.0

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Apr 9, 2020
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Yes the older generation is a bunch of dumb ***** with no emotional intelligence that beat women over football games this is not a new development
There is more than 1 older generation.
I know back in the 90s there was all hell to do. It was so boring at times that we watched the olympics and award shows and reruns of Becker. There is just so much more to do now and makes sense not to lump your happiness into one basket.
 
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steinek11

Junior
Apr 18, 2004
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I've been noticing that the older generations tend to be super into sports and tie their emotional wellbeing to sports to a much higher degree than younger people. The data also backs this up. So what is the future of sports and role in society? I can see sports becoming just another experience to enjoy on par with things like going to the movies, concerts, etc. A more diversification of entertainment and less polarizing. You could argue that the win at all costs to satisfy the lust of fanatics has been an unhealthy catalyst for many of the ills of modern college football.

I think the decline of fanaticism has happened as more and more options for entertainment have become available. What was it like in the olden days? Was football the only real thing going on except for some movies and sappy tv shows?
Us older folks like to watch strangers play video games online. Wait. Nevermind, that’s you guys.

We’d play a few games of Tecmo Bowl, get bored with that, grab a case of natty light and go find some girls to party with.
 

SuperBigFan69

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Apr 17, 2021
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When I was younger the games were more about hanging with friends, drinking, spending all day in Lincoln, bullshitting and having fun.

As you get older, it might be tailgating...as you get older it might just going to the game or staying in to watch it. As that starts to happen you probably invest more in the game and all the plays during the game. So you feel more attached or passionate about it.
 

RedMyMind2.0

Senior
Apr 9, 2020
754
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Us older folks like to watch strangers play video games online. Wait. Nevermind, that’s you guys.

We’d play a few games of Tecmo Bowl, get bored with that, grab a case of natty light and go find some girls to party with.
Things sure have changed. I'm definitely not as invested in football as I was during the 90s and 2000s before the internet took off. The days of lopsided college football programs is over and that's ok.
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
48,556
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I've been noticing that the older generations tend to be super into sports and tie their emotional wellbeing to sports to a much higher degree than younger people. The data also backs this up. So what is the future of sports and role in society? I can see sports becoming just another experience to enjoy on par with things like going to the movies, concerts, etc. A more diversification of entertainment and less polarizing. You could argue that the win at all costs to satisfy the lust of fanatics has been an unhealthy catalyst for many of the ills of modern college football.

I think the decline of fanaticism has happened as more and more options for entertainment have become available. What was it like in the olden days? Was football the only real thing going on except for some movies and sappy tv shows?
Well the good news is that we “olderfanatics” will all be dead soon” so who cares? 🤔
 

RedMyMind2.0

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Apr 9, 2020
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Well the good news is that we “olderfanatics” will all be dead soon” so who cares? 🤔
Not good but there is always a trade off. The past had its day in the sun and I'll be interested in seeing how things move forward. Has happened in most aspects of life forever.
 

BleedRed89

Heisman
Nov 27, 2008
33,961
52,947
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Esports, as much as the older crowd hates it - will start competing with the major sport franchises. Hell, League of Legends World Championships was already getting more views than the NBA Finals all the way back in 2014.

In 2024, 50 million people tuned in to watch the LoL finals. Compared to 12.3 million for the NBA finals. Granted we're talking a world wide championship vs a national one - but still. I think it's a pretty indication of the future of "sports" around the globe.

That said, Esports brought in about 2 billion in revenue last year around the world, while traditional sports brought in over 500 billion. So...while I do think the flip will happen in our lifetimes, it's still quite a ways off.
 
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RedMyMind2.0

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Apr 9, 2020
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Guess us old farts would rather tie our emotional well being to sports vs how many likes we got on our latest social media post. Will the world be better when the Olivia Dunnes are bigger celebrities that the Patrick Mahomes?
It's all the same really. Bragging rights and social media attention.
 

steinek11

Junior
Apr 18, 2004
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Esports, as much as the older crowd hates it - will start competing with the major sport franchises. Hell, League of Legends World Championships was already getting more views than the NBA Finals all the way back in 2014.

In 2024, 50 million people tuned in to watch the LoL finals. Compared to 12.3 million for the NBA finals. Granted we're talking a world wide championship vs a national one - but still. I think it's a pretty indication of the future of "sports" around the globe.

That said, Esports brought in about 2 billion in revenue last year around the world, while traditional sports brought in over 500 billion. So...while I do think the flip will happen in our lifetimes, it's still quite a ways off.
Real poon or virtual? Which is better?
 

RedMyMind2.0

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Apr 9, 2020
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They and Them aren’t interested in anything other than Tik Tok these days.

Football, Cars, Guitars (all things cool to me) have gone by the wayside.

To each their own!
There are too many cool things to do these days but so little time. I enjoy all 3 as well. I gave up trying to be good at the guitar years ago. Just no real return unless I spend every waking moment brute forcing things. I'll jam out, learn some nice solos but that is about it.

Cars and motor sports are my newest hobby. The engineering that goes into things that we take for granted is amazing.
 

orclover11

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Dec 1, 2014
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I've been noticing that the older generations tend to be super into sports and tie their emotional wellbeing to sports to a much higher degree than younger people. The data also backs this up. So what is the future of sports and role in society? I can see sports becoming just another experience to enjoy on par with things like going to the movies, concerts, etc. A more diversification of entertainment and less polarizing. You could argue that the win at all costs to satisfy the lust of fanatics has been an unhealthy catalyst for many of the ills of modern college football.

I think the decline of fanaticism has happened as more and more options for entertainment have become available. What was it like in the olden days? Was football the only real thing going on except for some movies and sappy tv shows?
Everybody boy also played sports since probably since the 60s or 70. Some people are more innately competitive but competitiveness is also developed through competition. I am a deeply non-competitive person by nature but being good at sports forced me to take accountability for my role on a team and even savor having success, even though I never had a deep desire to merely win. I enjoyed sharing victories, and seeing improvement on the team, and I enjoyed not losing as much as winning. A lot of that was gained by playing thousands of hours of games. New generation is just not going to get that experience and just aren't going to care about seeing a favorite team win. They will gamble and maybe has a favorite player in sports but not the huge love a team for decades.
 

Dylman

Junior
Jun 1, 2022
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Since nebraska decided to **** the bed the last 12 years it's safe to say the younger generations just dont give **** about nebraska football.
 

king_kong__

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Nov 3, 2021
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There are too many cool things to do these days but so little time. I enjoy all 3 as well. I gave up trying to be good at the guitar years ago. Just no real return unless I spend every waking moment brute forcing things. I'll jam out, learn some nice solos but that is about it.

Cars and motor sports are my newest hobby. The engineering that goes into things that we take for granted is amazing.
You only know Motorsports from the comfort of your gaming setup

probably drive a Honda CRV
 
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There are too many cool things to do these days but so little time. I enjoy all 3 as well. I gave up trying to be good at the guitar years ago. Just no real return unless I spend every waking moment brute forcing things. I'll jam out, learn some nice solos but that is about it.

Cars and motor sports are my newest hobby. The engineering that goes into things that we take for granted is amazing.
IMG_6982.jpeg
I hear ya. I have some top shelf gear but no longer play in a band. Guess I am just a collector of gear? I enjoy just jamming and record at home.

Husker Football isn’t what it used to be but still fun (most weeks) to watch.

There are still a lot a nice cars (muscle cars, sports cars, sports sedans). At least there is that!