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vicarious gladiator syndrome

The primeval feelings they court Are thrills from kills as a cohort The owners are betting That this bloodletting Attracts all to football as sport Author's note: A celebrity commenter attributed the NFL's recent very high ratings and financial success to everything except the appeal of a violent game. The Romans exploited this emotion long ago at the Colosseum. If I watch a game, I find myself having these feelings, which I do not like. Solution: turn it off and peace out. Am I the only one?

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Hilda Greenhough

Date: 2/1/2024 6:27:00 PM

It's a fine limerick. I watch football around December and superbowl. I follow bull riding though, and then, I'm a bull follower. Oh well.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 2/3/2024 11:36:00 AM

Hilda, I believe show business is the second largest export of the US after the defense industry. Maybe it's the other way around. In any case, we will all get swayed by emotion and passion. I just resent the importance and hyperbole expressed over some of it. Realizing this has changed the way I view a lot of things I see in media. I do enjoy some of it, but I try to keep it in perspective.

Silent One

Date: 2/1/2024 12:08:00 PM

Interesting limerick and one with a background... a very interesting title, especially the use of the word, vicarious.. Always best to turn of such things..

Duke Beaufort
Date: 2/3/2024 10:03:00 AM

Silent one...you are a sage! We live so much through the acts and deeds of others in the world and we document much of it here. We also include our observations and impressions. My hope is that we live our life in accordance with our own desires and beliefs and in such a way that does not interfere with others. It's a very delicate balance.

Ink Empress

Date: 2/1/2024 11:25:00 AM

Well i think im a very emotional one too when watching football, especially world cup, haha. I scream. Youv given the best solution there. Loved this! Made me smile! Very well delivered as always, based on experiences that readers can connect to and resonate with. Pleasure reading your work

Duke Beaufort
Date: 2/3/2024 9:19:00 AM

You are very kind to say this. I am trying to capture some things I find interesting. I can understand how we get caught up in all different sports and events. They do appeal to us as part of show business. We have emotional strings that get pulled by various things. That creates some business opportunities that support some large industries.

David Fisher

Date: 2/1/2024 6:01:00 AM

I think you shine the appropriate light on it. I gave up watching, and going back to it is like watching cartoons again. I guess bread and circuses is always in town?

Duke Beaufort
Date: 2/3/2024 4:29:00 PM

BTW, I (being grossly ignorant of some things) never heard of bread and circuses you cited attributed to Roman poet Juvenal). So, being curious looked it up. A very clever way of referring to exactly what I was talking about. So, the reaction we have to some of this goes all the way back. Thanks for the historical insight!!!

Duke Beaufort
Date: 2/3/2024 8:56:00 AM

David, I am glad we are not alone in this. However, the tide is against us. I'm thinking about your comparison with cartoons--a very apt comment. It's not an ideal society by any stretch of the imagination. The violence in cartoons is also an issue although I haven't watched any recently. Have to check out if they are still the same (Coyote and Roadrunner, etc.)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/31/2024 10:31:00 PM

I SO agree with you. I detest that sucky sport

Duke Beaufort
Date: 2/3/2024 8:04:00 AM

There are a lot of us who find the effect of this sport reaches places that we do not like. I think the sport represents the antithesis of the kind of society we want to reach. We should not want to conquer but rather cooperate. Now what game works on that principle....that we win when we work together? The world is upside down or worse.