In devoting ourselves to a private passion which is out of proportion to its real importance, we can deaden ourselves to issues that truly matter and deserve our attention. In Being and Time, Martin Heidegger suggested that in lieu of being able to address and understand the serious questions and issues of life, we too often busy ourselves with cocktail party conversations and escapist behavior.

But, for good or ill, the statistics are incontrovertible: Americans love their games and adore and idealize their athlete/warriors and gladiator/heroes.

Enjoy the game.

¶ 11:53 AM