Noam Chomsky: Sports is a capitalist conspiracy

[Mycroft]

Most people do not have time to look for both

How do you figure?

I have a full time job, a family, some hobbies and still find time to follow politics. It's not that hard.

 

[Watanabe]

How do you figure?

I have a full time job, a family, some hobbies and still find time to follow politics. It's not that hard.

Oh, really?

Then why so many people did not go out and demonstrate against the Iraqi war and Vietnam war in your country?

 

[Aidoneus]

Oh, really?

Then why so many people did not go out and demonstrate against the Iraqi war and Vietnam war in your country?

Change the record.

 

[Watanabe]

Change the record.

Go tell this to the orphans of both wars.

 

[mikedenk]

take, say, sports -- that's another crucial example of the indoctrination system, in my view. For one thing because it -- you know, it offers people something to pay attention to that's of no importance. [audience laughs] that keeps them from worrying about -- [applause] keeps them from worrying about things that matter to their lives that they might have some idea of doing something about. And in fact it's striking to see the intelligence that's used by ordinary people in [discussions of] sports [as opposed to political and social issues]. I mean, you listen to radio stations where people call in -- they have the most exotic information [more laughter] and understanding about all kind of arcane issues. And the press undoubtedly does a lot with this.

You know, i remember in high school, already i was pretty old. I suddenly asked myself at one point, why do i care if my high school team wins the football game? [laughter] i mean, i don't know anybody on the team, you know? [audience roars] i mean, they have nothing to do with me, i mean, why i am cheering for my team? It doesn't mean any -- it doesn't make sense. But the point is, it does make sense: It's a way of building up irrational attitudes of submission to authority, and group cohesion behind leadership elements -- in fact, it's training in irrational jingoism. That's also a feature of competitive sports. I think if you look closely at these things, i think, typically, they do have functions, and that's why energy is devoted to supporting them and creating a basis for them and advertisers are willing to pay for them and so on.

 

[Cleon]

Chomsky is right.
The sheeple love to talk about Tiger Woods and Messi.
The stars make millions and the sheeple lose money and time.
You can add cimena actors like Gandolfini to the group of stars.

Ssshhhh! You'll wake them!

 

[Watanabe]

Ssshhhh! You'll wake them!

Naah!
They sleep too heavy!

Added

I have started to believe that the only moral position is to take advanatge of them!

 

[Mycroft]

Oh, really?

Then why so many people did not go out and demonstrate against the Iraqi war and Vietnam war in your country?

Your logical disconnect here is in assuming that paying attention to politics would naturally lead someone to go out and demonstrate against the wars Iraq and Vietnam. For some that makes sense, but others may not come to the same conclusions you do, nor share your sense of urgency.

Another logical disconnect of yours is in somehow not noticing all the many demonstrations against the wars in Iraq and Vietnam. Even though Vietnam was almost 50 years ago now, much of our political landscape today is defined by opposition to that war.

 

[squealpiggy]

Oh, really?

Then why so many people did not go out and demonstrate against the Iraqi war and Vietnam war in your country?

For some people politics isn't just about looking for opportunities to put on a jester hat and go spit at police officers.

 

[Corsair 115]

Ssshhhh! You'll wake them!

They live. We sleep. (But you'll need a special pair of sunglasses to see the truth.)

 

[Joey McGee]

I have started to believe that the only moral position is to take advanatge of them!

This is the misanthropy of the conspiracist mindset on display. Deep, childish dismay that there are compromises by authorities, and a sickened hate of everyone that doesn't share their cynical, cacophony vision of human nature.

What wanton stupidity!

 

[BStrong]

Chomsky might have a point.

A friend of mine said at the time that the '94-'95 baseball strike caused people to pay attention to politics, and led to republicans replacing democrats in the '94 elections.

That and I bet Chomsky wasn't much for playing team sports as a kid.

 

[arthwollipot]

So then next week I can expect Mr. Chomsky to complain about movies as a distraction? Then the week after that novels? Followed up by fishing? Then posting on a message forum? If so, he'll be busy for a long time as there are a great many distractions to cover!

You may speculate all you want about what Mr Chomsky may choose to write about. This thread is about sports.

 

[angrysoba]

Actually, one of the things I thought he was trying to say here was not that sports is a "capitalist conspiracy" - he never uses those words in the quotes suggesting this is another invitation to guffaw at malformed strawmen - but that most people are perfectly intelligent and able to deal with political or economic questions should they put their minds to it. The fact that they can be so knowledgable and have such a vast array of knowledge that is impressive to those who don't follow sports only demonstrates that they should not be put off by people telling them that politics or economics is too hard for them.

 

[Travis]

Oh, really?

Then why so many people did not go out and demonstrate against the Iraqi war and Vietnam war in your country?

Somehow I managed to follow three sports teams and still go out to the Pro-Iraq War demonstration held in the courthouse square in November 2002. And I was a college student then too!

If I can follow politics and sports other people can too.

 

[Watanabe]

Somehow I managed to follow three sports teams and still go out to the Pro-Iraq War demonstration held in the courthouse square in November 2002. And I was a college student then too!

If I can follow politics and sports other people can too.

In this case, I strongly support that you should watch more sports and go to more football match.
I mean, in your case only

 

[Aidoneus]

In this case, I strongly support that you should watch more sports and go to more football match.
I mean, in your case only

And once again we return to your issue with all this; it isn't that people don't engage with politics, it's that when they do, they don't always agree with you.

 

[Travis]

In this case, I strongly support that you should watch more sports and go to more football match.
I mean, in your case only

Because your opinions are the only right ones?

 

[Corsair 115]

You may speculate all you want about what Mr Chomsky may choose to write about. This thread is about sports.

Actually, it is about what Mr. Chomsky said about sports. Carry on.

 

[dudalb]

As someone stated, by any use of logic you have to include Movies, TV,Novels,and other form of entertainment as being a "distraction" by Chomsky's definition.
Frankly, the only reason he is getting a pass on this from some people here is the general disdain for sports that a lot of intellectuals..and intellectual wannabes...have.
Still find it amazing that anybody gives Chomsky much credibility considering the amount of pure nonsense he has stated over the years.