From: Jef Allbright (jef@jefallbright.net)
Date: Thu Feb 06 2003 - 09:20:09 MST
Thanks Jacob. The explanation you shared makes complete sense to me, but I
don't *feel* it. That's why I said I don't "grok" it fully.
I found it very interesting how many times the concept of "self" was
mentioned in the explanation. At the risk of sounding "wishy washy", and
paradoxically at odds with the libertarian (Randian) aspects of extropian
thinking, I find the concept of "self" to be a pervasive illusion that leads
to a great deal of suffering in the world.
I think we would do well to examine our evolutionary-based concept of self
and *consciously* ;-) decide to improve on it.
- Jef
----- Original Message -----
From: Jacob Madden
To: Jef Allbright
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 7:40 AM
Subject: Re: Time.com asks you to vote for most dangerous country
Jef,
> I also realize I don't fully grok the concept. For example, I have been
> perplexed for years trying to understand how so many people adopt an
> arbitrary choice of sports team and behave as if "their" team winning is
> nearly a life and death matter.
I read an explanation in a book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by
Robert Cialdini, that I found interesting.
"It's just a game! Isn't it? Hardly. The relationship between sport and the
earnest fan is anything but gamelike. It is a serious, intense, and highly
personal."..."As distinguished author Isaac Asimov put it in describing our
reactions to the contests we view, 'All things being equal, you root for
your own sex, your own culture, your own locality....and what you want to
prove is that you are better than the other person. Whomever you root for
represents you; and when he wins, you win.' When viewed in this light, the
passion of the sports fan begins to make sense. The game is no light
diversion to be enjoyed for its inherent form of artistry. The self is at
stake."
He goes on to talk about how it is the association with the team that
affects our public image that makes it so important. We have a "desire to
bask in reflected glory," and people with a poorer self-concept need the
glory of the team to boost their sense of personal worth. In that respect,
to some people it actually is about life and death.
Hope this was at least slightly helpful in portraying one argument for the
cause of such fan frenzy.
Jacob Madden
gte036q@mail.gatech.edu
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