👀 Football fervour
#323 | You never walk alone
I live right opposite one of the largest stadiums in Asia. It has been graced by football legends like Bhaichung Bhutia, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi in my lifetime.
I have no interest in football.
Every match, I watch with an anthropological distance as fans flock to my street, faces painted and flags hoisted. Cheering on their team and cursing out rivals in the same breath. It's manic, more than a little toxic, and fascinating.
Now before I'm cancelled forever, let me clarify that while it's not for me, I do get why people enjoy the sport.
Today's Thing bettered my understanding.
This episode from John Green's podcast (and book), Anthropocene Reviewed, explains why team sports garner frantic following while talking about the Liverpool Football Club's theme song, "You Never Walk Alone" and its goalkeeper, Jerry Dudek.Â
The point is camaraderie, being part of something bigger than yourself, and the thrill of never knowing what's coming next. Hope builds that your team will win and if this hope is fulfilled then what's stopping your other hopes from coming true? Who wouldn't wildly chase that feeling?
At the end of each review, John Green arbitrarily rates his topics out of five stars, I'd love to know what your rating for his episode would be.
Share Just One Thing with football-lovers and non-lovers alike? I may be biased, but I'm certain you'll receive 5/5 stars for the recommendation.