re: Why do we watch sports?

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Why do we watch sports?

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It's entertaining.

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It's controlled combat.

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That's an explanation on why we might play sports. I was looking for why we sedentarily "watch" sports.

But I think I was given a logical "evolutionary" explanation on why we watch at the bottom of page one.

Humans enjoy entertainment of all kind.

It’s likely not evolutionary as many people
Don’t enjoy watching sports.

You’re probably right

There is probably a combination of other basic evolutionary instincts that feed into it.

When I was a kid I watched sports center over and over and over again. I got burned out on that show long before it chose to go down a different path.

I still watch more football than most people I know but I can definitely tell I'm not as into it as I used to be and that doesn't necessarily mean I give a crap about what's going on with politics and whatnot I know how to separate the two I don't give two craps if somebody takes a knee or does a headstand during the national anthem but that's just my opinion I'll always stand for and put my hand over my heart cuz that's the way I roll.

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Might be the best "evolutionary "answer. Maybe it's a subconscious ranking of the competition, learning who sets the bar and how high or low it is.

By being innately compelled to watch others, we learn who is the strongest, fastest, smartest, prettiest, funniest, most-talented, etc and we subconsciously learn what is needed to compete for another's attention.

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I can't say there's a best "evolutionary" answer to this question. While the theory of evolution certainly relies on biological superiority as foundation, I also believe our abilility as humans to solve problems and develop language distinguishes our evolution from other species. Watching sports provides us with an opportunity to improve our problem-solving skills, and maybe impacts our evolution in a more immediate way, as observation and identification in certain situations can help us change tactics in real-life situations.

Maybe I'm overthinking this or leaning too much on individualism but I believe it's more complex than we think.

One reason I watch is because I have an appreciation for the sports that I've played/still play and I like seeing those sports at the highest level. Whether it's just appreciating how good the athletes are or to learn from watching them.

Sad part is I shake my head at my nephews and their friends that watch people playing video games online. Even though they are basically doing exactly what I'm doing.

The thrill of competition. Entertainment. Tribalism.

Tribalism will get you to watch sports you don't care about unless your tribe is playing. Think Team USA and the Olympics or World Cup. Or your college's women's basketball team.

The entertainment part will get you to watch your favorite sport no matter who is playing. I can watch a hockey game involving teams from anywhere at any age level simply because I like the sport and it entertains me.

The thrill of competition will get us to watch any sport as long as it's a good, compelling contest and the stakes are high enough. It's why we tune into any championship contest even if we're not big fans of the sport. We just want to see who wins.

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I believe it's more complex than we think.

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Thanks for the learned replies. I'm sure there are complexities to any evolved societal behavior, and even exceptions to the rule, but you've made me think watching sports may simply be a subconscious tool for competing in life (whether its reproduction, power, etc) at its most basic evolutionary root.

I've been feeling the same indifference lately and it made me ask myself why I have felt so compelled to watch sports for so many years.

But I didn't know the biological root cause. I think I have a hint of clarity now.