Sports and the Mass Man
I've never been a huge fan of sports, even before reading the great José Ortega y Gasset link them to the "culture" of the mass man. Still, I used to enjoy "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" at international sporting events, like the Winter Olympics and the World Cup. That was until a few years ago.
The American Conservative print edition of March 27, 2006 carried an article that decried the "vulgarity and nativism" of the US media coverage of the Winter Olympics, especially compared to that of years gone by.
The Marmot's Hole not too long ago linked to an article that reaches the same conclusion about Wolrd Cup soccer here in Korea: [Korean Sports] For Fans or Fanatics?Here's the crux:
Still, that distinction between nationalism and patriotism needs to be driven home. A frequent commenter to this blog informed me that Erik Ritter von Kuehnelt-Leddihn (1909-1999), whom I still haven't had a chance to read, saw the former as Leftist and the latter as Rightist. [See also Eric von Kuehnelt-Leddihn on Leftism.]
I've never been a huge fan of sports, even before reading the great José Ortega y Gasset link them to the "culture" of the mass man. Still, I used to enjoy "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" at international sporting events, like the Winter Olympics and the World Cup. That was until a few years ago.
The American Conservative print edition of March 27, 2006 carried an article that decried the "vulgarity and nativism" of the US media coverage of the Winter Olympics, especially compared to that of years gone by.
The Marmot's Hole not too long ago linked to an article that reaches the same conclusion about Wolrd Cup soccer here in Korea: [Korean Sports] For Fans or Fanatics?Here's the crux:
- I hope to see a Confucian sense of moderation during this World Cup. But when you're Korean it's much easier to be a nationalist than a patriot, easier to feel a constant xenophobic aggrievement than to cultivate an informed love of an ancient tradition.
Still, that distinction between nationalism and patriotism needs to be driven home. A frequent commenter to this blog informed me that Erik Ritter von Kuehnelt-Leddihn (1909-1999), whom I still haven't had a chance to read, saw the former as Leftist and the latter as Rightist. [See also Eric von Kuehnelt-Leddihn on Leftism.]
Redeemed by Our Savior, I work out my salvation with fear and trembling in Pohang, South Korea, where I live with my wife, daughter, and son and teach English at a science and technology university. Baptized a Methodist and raised a Missouri Synod Lutheran in Buffalo, NY, I spent six years as a guest of the Anglican Communion before being received by the Grace of God into the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on the Feast of Saint Andrew, my patron, anno domini 2002.
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