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Why Do Individuals Value Sport? . By: Michael L. Moser. Sport’s Meaning in American Society . Why do we play sport? Is there a deeper meaning for why people play sports? Does sport bring some people freedom where other things cannot? Freedom from what?
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Why Do Individuals Value Sport? By: Michael L. Moser
Sport’s Meaning in American Society • Why do we play sport? Is there a deeper meaning for why people play sports? • Does sport bring some people freedom where other things cannot? Freedom from what? • Do sports carry a higher meaning of space and time? Can this be seen as sacred to the athlete?
Questions for the Class • How many of you played on a sports team or club in high school? • How many of you continue to play on an organized sports team in college? (club team, athlete team, intramural team) • How many of you use a Rec Sports facilities at least once a week? (RPAC, ARC, J.O. South, Fred Beakman Park, etc…) • Now think back to those past experiences. Why did you play sports or exercise? For instance, was it intrinsic or extrinsic factors that made you participate?
A Brief Summary of Phantom Pains • Marc’s life at the beginning of the movie. • His life was falling apart (love life, family life, work life) • Only thing you really knew was that hecared a lot about biking • The tragic accident that happened to Marc. • Marc by the end of the movie • Putting his life back on right track (girlfriend, writing, daughter, etc…) • Marc biking at the end of the movie. Why is biking so important?
“The Nature of Play” by Johan Huizinga • Johan Huizinga (1872-1945) • Dutch Historian • Professor of History from 1905 until his death • Main arguments why Huizinga thought individuals played sports • “non-seriouness” of sport • Freedom of play- no one is making you do it • Not real life- seen as a escape from reality
“The Classification of Games” by Roger Caillois • Roger Caillois (1913-1978) • Frenchmen who studied philosophy of sport • Literary critic of sport • “The Claaification of Games” can be used to see why individuals may play sports • Agon- competition • Alea- chance in games • Mimicry- acting or role playing • Ilinx- feeling of free fall
“Sacred Space, Sacred Time” by Michael Novak • Michael Novak (1933- to present) • Degree from Harvard University • Long-time writer • “Sacred Space, Sacred Time’s” importance to why individuals may play sports • Compares places like Gettysburg to sports arenas like Madison Square Garden • Importance of time in sports (final seconds of a basketball game can hold more meaning then the first whole half) • Time allows the chance for a “hero” to be made
How do these three scholarly works relate to Marc in Phantom Pains? • Huizinga’s “The Nature of Play” • Ideas of freedom and escape • Intrinsic motivation in comparison to extrinsic motivation • Caillois’s “The Classification of Games” • Agon- idea of competition (Marc competing vs. himself) • Ilinx- feeling of free fall (biking) • Novak’s “Sacred Space, Sacred Time” • Importance of space • The places Marc bikes and final scene of where Marc is biking… sacred
Further look into why I play sports • I see sports as a an escape from ordinary life. • I play sports and exercise for both intrinsic and extrinsic purposes. • I see what I do as an art just as an painter can look at their painting. I have the chance to create something beautiful or spectacular. • The rush of free fall in downhill skiing. • The importance of remote sport to me.
Why do you play sports? • Most individuals do not look into why they really play sports or exercise. • It is important to understand why since ancient civilizations like the Greek and Roman cultures they have built massive areas and we continue to today. • Why children play games or sports without being told to? • Think further into why you play sports.
Threats to Modern Sport • Is sport still accessible to everyone? Increasing price of gyms, stadium seats… • Commercialization of sport (more of a business then ever before) • Mass Media overtaking sport • Violence in sport • Cheating/ scandals in sport • Professional vs. Amateur debate • More spectators then participants • Can you list more…