Whether you {want to|wish to} {believe|think} it or not, we like to {watch|view|enjoy|see} sports for {very|extremely|really} {different|various} {reasons|factors} than you {may|might} {think|believe}. In {fact|truth|reality}, the {real|genuine} things that {cause|trigger} us to like sports {are in|remain in} {every person|everyone}, whether we like sports or not. What things can we {learn about|find out about|discover|learn more about} {human nature|humanity} by {simply|just|merely} {looking at|taking a look at} our fascination with {competition|competitors}? The {answers|responses} {may|might} {surprise|amaze|shock} you. Not {only|just} are the {answers|responses} {interesting|fascinating|intriguing} in themselves, {but|however} they {may|might} {just|simply} {help|assist} you in other {ways|methods} too.

There are some {fairly|relatively} {straightforward|simple|uncomplicated} and {obvious|apparent} {explanations|descriptions} for why we like sports to be sure. Sports teach us about {loyalty|commitment}, {perseverance|determination} and honor. It {gives|provides|offers} us {a way|a method} to bond, it's cathartic, and we {identify with|relate to} {teams|groups} and {players|gamers}. We live vicariously through the {players|gamers} we {watch|view|enjoy|see}. We have our {favorite|preferred} {players|gamers}, and there are {teams|groups} we{'ve| have actually} {grown up|matured} rooting for {because|since|due to the fact that} our {brother|sibling|bro} or {dad|father|daddy|papa} {used|utilized} to {love|like|enjoy} them, and now we still root for them today. Or we {may|might} follow a sport now that we {used|utilized} to play as {a child|a kid}.

{But|However} there are some {deeper|much deeper}, more {powerful|effective} and {fascinating|interesting|remarkable} {reasons|factors} too.

We're All {Just|Simply} {Big|Huge} {Children|Kid}

Whether you {want to|wish to} {believe|think} it or not, all {adults|grownups} are {just|simply} {big|huge} {children|kids}. We're all {just|simply} {big|huge} kids. We {just|simply} {hide|conceal} our {true|real} {feelings|sensations} and {thoughts|ideas} with {highly|extremely} {developed|established} {skills|abilities} (or {at least|a minimum of} {most of|the majority of} us do). We still {want to|wish to} belong or be accepted by our peers, {we all|all of us} still {want to|wish to} be {loved|liked|enjoyed}, we still feel {emotional|psychological} {pain|discomfort}, and we still {find|discover} ourselves {giving in to|succumbing to} {immediate|instant} {gratification|satisfaction} when {we know|we understand} {better|much better}. And yes, {some of|a few of} us still lie and cheat in our {normal|typical|regular} {day to day|daily|everyday} lives.

We {certainly|definitely} {hide|conceal} things {better|much better} and {often|frequently|typically} {successfully|effectively} 'act' as if we {don't|do not} care about belonging, or love, or {pain|discomfort}, or whatever. Deep down inside we are {a little|a bit|a little bit} more {mature|fully grown} and {wise|smart|sensible}, {but|however} {basically|essentially|generally} still {just|simply} {children|kids}. We {may|might} not {say|state} it {out loud|aloud} {anymore|any longer}, {but|however} we still {think to|believe to} ourselves {sometimes|in some cases|often}, "That's {not fair|unfair}!" We would rather play than work. Some {may|might} argue, {depending on|depending upon} whether they pee {standing up|standing} or {sitting down|taking a seat}, that this is {especially|particularly|specifically} {true|real} for {men|guys|males}. {Maybe|Perhaps|Possibly} that's why there are more {men|guys|males} sports fans than {women|ladies|females}.

You see, {watching|viewing|enjoying|seeing} sports {gives|provides|offers} us {a perfect|an ideal|a best}, safe and {secure|protected|safe|safe and secure}, black and white, little microcosm of life. Following {a player|a gamer}, {team|group} or {game|video game} {allows|enables|permits} us to experience ups and downs and {a whole|an entire} {array|range|variety|selection} of {emotions|feelings}, {just like|much like|similar to} in {real life|reality}, {but|however} we aren't {actually|really|in fact} {affected|impacted}.

And unlike life, sports and {games|video games} are {generally|typically|normally|usually} {fair|reasonable}! There are {rules|guidelines} and a crystal clear {framework|structure}, or paradigm that all the {participants|individuals} and {spectators|viewers} {know about|learn about|understand about}. There are {never|never ever} any monkey wrenches {thrown|tossed} into a sports {game|video game}, like the {rules|guidelines} {changing|altering} mid-game {for instance|for example}. If {rules|guidelines} are broken, the {offender|culprit|wrongdoer|transgressor} is {penalized|punished}. They {don't|do not} frustratingly {get away|escape} {sometimes|in some cases|often} like in {real life|reality}.

At the end, there is an unambiguous winner and loser. We get to pretend that the {game|video game} we're {watching|viewing|enjoying|seeing} is life, where {everything|whatever} is {perfectly|completely} {fair|reasonable}, {everyone|everybody} plays by the {rules|guidelines} and {everything|whatever} {makes sense|makes good sense}.

{Children|Kids} tend to {think of|think about|consider} things in {much more|a lot more|far more} black and white terms. It is {only|just} through living and {maturing|developing|growing} that we {realize|recognize|understand} that all of life is a series of grays. {But|However} {we all|all of us} still {long for|wish for} {a simpler|an easier} and {easier|simpler|much easier} life. When things are {only|just} seen in black or white, things {indeed|certainly|undoubtedly} {seem|appear} {simpler|easier} and {easier|simpler|much easier}, {but|however} life isn't so {clear-cut|precise|specific|well-defined}.

This {helps|assists} {explain|discuss|describe} why {politicians|political leaders} who break their platform down into {simple|easy|basic} sound bites and into terms {devoid of|lacking|without} {complexity|intricacy} {often|frequently|typically} do {better|much better} than {politicians|political leaders} who {talk about|discuss|speak about} life like it {really|truly|actually} is, a complex, interrelated world of {nuances|subtleties}.

{Watching|Viewing|Enjoying|Seeing} sports {allows|enables|permits} us {a temporarily|a briefly|a momentarily} safe and socially {acceptable|appropriate} {way|method} to be more like our {true|real} nature, and our {true|real} nature is frighteningly {childlike|childish}. So the next time you {deal with|handle} {a difficult|a challenging|a tough|a hard} {person|individual}, {remember that|keep in mind that|bear in mind that} they are {just|simply} {a large|a big} {child|kid}, like you and {everyone|everybody} else, and {maybe|perhaps|possibly} that {knowledge|understanding} will {help|assist} you {deal with|handle} them {a little|a bit|a little bit} more {easily|quickly}.

What do {watching|viewing|enjoying|seeing} {a horror|a scary} {movie|film|motion picture} and sports {have in common|share}?

Ever {wonder|question} why {so many|a lot of|many|numerous} {people|individuals}, {including|consisting of} {maybe|perhaps|possibly} you, {enjoy|delight in|take pleasure in} {watching|viewing|seeing} {horror|scary} {movies|films|motion pictures} {so much|a lot}? They {provide|offer|supply} a safe {way|method} for {people|individuals} to experience high levels of suspension without {actually|really|in fact} {being in|remaining in} any {real|genuine} {danger|risk|threat}. Sports can be the {same|exact same|very same} {way|method}. {Again|Once again}, {watching|viewing|enjoying|seeing} sports {allows|enables|permits} us to {enter|go into|get in} {a perfect|an ideal|a best} world where the suspenseful {outcome|result} has no bearing on our {real lives|realities} (unless you have a nasty sports {gambling|betting} {problem|issue} {of course|obviously|naturally}).

{People|Individuals} {love|like|enjoy} drama, suspension, and resolution, which are all {elements|aspects|components} {inherent|fundamental|intrinsic} in sports. In {fact|truth|reality}, the closer the {game|video game}, the more suspension there is. If we {identify with|relate to} {a player|a gamer} and he wins, we are vicariously {happy|pleased|delighted} for the success. {However|Nevertheless}, if the {player|gamer}'s {team|group} loses, we feel the defeat a little {as well|also|too}. {But|However} our lives are {unaffected|untouched}. And sports {announcers|commentators} {usually|typically|normally|generally} {only|just} {add to|contribute to} the drama and suspension.

A sports {game|video game} is a sort of story. There is {a beginning|a start} and an end. There is {a protagonist|a lead character} (your {team|group}) and {an antagonist|a villain} (the other {team|group}). There is a scene and setting, the {stadium|arena} at {noon|midday|twelve noon}, and there is a plot, which is the action. {Only|Just} after the {games|video games} ends, and {depending on|depending upon} if your {team|group} won or not, is it {decided|chose} to be called a fairy tale ending or {a tragedy|a disaster|a catastrophe}.

Reptilian Brain and War

Whether you {want to|wish to} {believe|think} it or not, {humans|people|human beings} are a lot closer to nature and the animal world than {most people|many people|the majority of people} like to {think|believe}. We're not {just|simply} {close to|near to|near} nature; we{'re a part| belong} of it! Evolutionarily speaking, we are much {closer|better|more detailed} in time to our unintelligent animal {ancestors|forefathers} than we are to {a transcended|a gone beyond} sentient {species|types} apart from nature. Our {behavior|habits} is {guided|directed|assisted} {much more|a lot more|far more} by our 'primitive brain' than our more {recently|just recently} {developed|established} neocortex, which is the seat of our intelligence. The primitive brain, or lower brain function, {deals with|handle} {fight|battle} or flight {behavior|habits}, {hunger|appetite|cravings}, {fear|worry}, and sex, {among other|to name a few} things.

{A common|A typical}, yet {erroneous|incorrect} {concept|idea|principle} is that the human brain is the {result|outcome} of billions of years of {evolution|development|advancement}. Our primitive or reptilian part of the brain is that old, {but|however} our brain's {extra|additional} {large|big} neocortex, {the thing|the important things} that separates us from other mammals, {came about|happened} {only|just} a couple million years {ago|back|earlier}, {a mere|a simple} drop in the evolutionary {bucket|container|pail}. The neocortex {has|has actually} not had much time to {develop|establish}, {and so|therefore} our primitive brain plays {a significant|a considerable|a substantial} {role|function} in our lives.

Our {basic|fundamental|standard} flight or {fight|battle} {mentality|mindset} {is manifested|appears} in sports. We can relate, on some {deeper|much deeper} and unconscious level, with the {guy|man|person} {running with|keeping up} the football towards {the end|completion} zone and being {chased|chased after|gone after} by a pack of {angry|upset|mad} {men|guys|males}. We can {understand|comprehend} what it {feels like|seems like} to {check|inspect|examine} another {player|gamer} in hockey and slam him into the boards. Or we can {sympathize|have compassion} with the NASCAR {driver|chauffeur|motorist} who gets {passed by|gone by} {a competitor|a rival}, {but|however} {throws|tosses} it into {a higher|a greater} {gear|equipment} and {chases after|chases} him.

Our primitive desire for {dominance|supremacy} is represented in sports. When our {team|group} wins, we experience a sort of {dominance|supremacy} over the opposing {team|group} and their fans.

Our predatory nature is {lit up|illuminated} when we see a linebacker following a running back through a mass of football {players|gamers}, {waiting for|waiting on|awaiting} the {perfect|ideal|best} {moment|minute} to strike his {prey|victim} with {a tackle|a deal with|a take on}. {Watching|Viewing|Enjoying|Seeing} {someone|somebody} {chase|chase after|go after} the {man|guy|male} with the ball in basketball, soccer, or baseball {affects|impacts} us in {similar|comparable} {ways|methods}.

Our tribal {instincts|impulses} are {fulfilled|satisfied} by sports. {We all|All of us} {want to|wish to} {belong to|come from} something; it's {a basic|a fundamental|a standard} human {need|requirement} {since|because|considering that|given that} we are such social animals. We {identify with|relate to} {a team|a group} like our {ancestors|forefathers} would {identify with|relate to} their {tribe|people}. This is {especially|particularly|specifically} {true|real} for the Western world's {modern|contemporary|modern-day} {man|guy|male}, where {community|neighborhood} {has|has actually} taken {a back seat|a rear seats} to {independence|self-reliance}.

Our primitive warring nature is {satisfied|pleased} by sports. There {seems|appears} to be {an innate|an inherent|a natural} desire for war, even in so-called '{modern|contemporary|modern-day}' {man|guy|male}. {Indeed|Certainly|Undoubtedly}, {look at|take a look at} the world today and {how many|the number of} {current|present|existing} wars are going on, and you'll see how far we are to {real|genuine} peace. Pathetically, that last {statement|declaration} {holds true|is true|applies} for {almost|practically|nearly} {any time|whenever|at any time} in history, {regardless of|despite|no matter} when you{'re reading| read} this. {Again|Once again}, this {goes back|returns} to the {fact|truth|reality} that we are ruled more by our 'primitive', survival-driven, {fight|battle} or flight brain than our {reasonable|sensible|affordable} and {intelligent|smart} '{modern|contemporary|modern-day}' brain.

Every sports {game|video game} {is like|resembles} {a tiny|a small} war {between|in between} {tribes|people}, with an end and {a declared|a stated} victor. {But|However} there's one {important|essential|crucial} {distinction|difference}; unlike war, {no one|nobody} {has to|needs to} {die|pass away} in sports.

{One of|Among} the {reasons|factors} going to {a game|a video game} is more {exciting|interesting|amazing} than {watching|viewing|enjoying|seeing} it on {TV|TELEVISION} is that there is {a kind of|a type of|a sort of} energy {created|produced|developed} when {so many|a lot of|many|numerous} {people|individuals} get together and root for one cause. You {might|may} even {liken|compare} it to a mob {mentality|mindset}. We {don't|do not} {have to|need to} look {farther|further} than our own {stadiums|arenas} where pandemonium {has|has actually} broken out in {protest|demonstration} to a call or in {celebration|event} of a win. Sports {strongly|highly} {appeals to|attract|interest} the {gaming|video gaming} and {struggle|battle} {instincts|impulses} of {humans|people|human beings}.

And {since|because|considering that|given that} our {modern|contemporary|modern-day} lives no longer {contain|include|consist of} any {real|genuine} physical {danger|risk|threat} and all our {basic|fundamental|standard} {needs|requirements} are {immediately|instantly|right away} {taken care of|looked after}, we now have {a void|a space} that {needs|requires} to be filled {somehow|in some way}, our primitive brain {expects|anticipates} it. Sports fit the {bill|expense|costs}. It {gives|provides|offers} us the {illusion|impression} of {reality|truth} where there are no {consequences|repercussions|effects}. It {gives|provides|offers} us the {illusion|impression} of {battle|fight}, war, {victory|success|triumph} and defeat, without the {consequences|repercussions|effects}. And it {gives|provides|offers} us the {illusion|impression} of being {a child|a kid} {again|once again}, even if it's all {temporary|short-term|momentary|short-lived}.

You {may|might} not like sports at all, {but|however} we are all {a quite|a rather} {childlike|childish} inside. {We all|All of us} {yearn for|wish for|desire} some level of drama in our lives. And we are all {constantly|continuously} {affected|impacted} by our primitive brain. {Watching|Viewing|Enjoying|Seeing} sports is one {excellent|outstanding|exceptional} {way|method} for {people|individuals} to {reconcile|fix up} these {inescapable|inevitable|unavoidable} {facts|truths|realities}.