The World Cup and the Kick in the Groin by Alex Paramo
The World Cup just wrapped up and the probabiliuty that half the world was watching at one point or another is very impressive indeed. But what does that say about our world? Outside the U.S. and just about everywhere in the world Soccer, Futbol, Football is King. In some most countries no other sport even comes close.
Sports and Nationalism
In an interesting article in the Chronicle of Higher Education, the author, David P. Barash, examines the possibility that our natural wiring for group participation is manipulated by sports and sports marketers. Additionally, Barash posits, the same vulnerabilities that are exploited for a sense of national identity are one and the same.