[lbo-talk] RE: Film Notes

[Dennis Perrin]

> At a recent talk Terry Eagleton said that, in a future
> 'socialist' society, 'we have to get rid of sport',
> because sport, with its generation of (artificial?)
> passions, competition, ebb and flow, replaces our
> desire for politics and social change.
>
> I'm not sure whether he was referring to sport as a
> negative source of competition (nationalism,
> hooliganism and the like) or, alternatively, to the
> way that sport might be a bone that is thrown to us to
> stop us from wanting to change society (the comment
> was made in the context of a question on 'leisure and
> culture'.
>
> I'm not, as a sporty person, sure whether I agree with
> that, but it's a point worth thinking about.
>
> Simon

Well, it's one thing to allow sports to be an extension of tribalism and
nationalism, and it's another thing to enjoy the beauty of athleticism and
the thrill of competing for their own sake. In other words, love of sports
needn't dull one's mind to the real world. You can marvel at Allen Iverson's
grit and finesse as he drives to the hole and scores over a double-team in
the paint while remaining adamantly opposed to imperial wars and assaults on
civil liberties. And if lefties think they can talk to Average Joes & Janes
about social change while taking an elitist view on sports, it's they who
are not paying attention to reality.

-
> From "Annie Hall":

(Alvy sits on the foot of the bed watching the Knicks game on television.)

					TV ANNOUNCER

				(Off screen)

			Cleveland Cavaliers losing to the New

			York Knicks.

(Robin enters the room, slamming the door.)

					ROBIN

			Here you are.  There's people out there.

					ALVY

			Hey, you wouldn't believe this.  Two

			minutes ago, the Knicks are ahead fourteen

			points, and now ...

				(Clears his throat)

			they're ahead two points.

					ROBIN

			Alvy, what is so fascinating about a group

			of pituitary cases trying to stuff the

			ball through a hoop?

					ALVY

				(Looking at Robin)

			What's fascinating is that it's physical.

			You know, it's one thing about intellectuals,

			they prove that you can be absolutely brilliant

			and have no idea what's going on.

DP