If you managed to read the gigantic title of the thread, I guess that means you might actually care to read what I have to say. You might think me stupid, you might disagree. I guess all I'm really asking for is that you consider what I have to say before you disregard it.
Okay. I'll first start things off with admitting guilt. I am part of the [soon to be mentioned] problem. I take part in it. That said, I've become acutely aware of my involvement but more importantly the negative effects of the problem. I'm admittedly a hypocrite, but I'm trying to change my ways.
So what's the problem? In this day and age we are too quick too judge. We are too quick to judge in part because we have more information at our disposal and this information comes to us faster than it ever did (or rather, "could"). The internet allows for a constant exchange of information (authentic or not) that is disseminated to the masses with amazing speed. Something that happens in Sri Lanka (if big enough or deemed "newsworthy" enough) will be on the wire within moments. In this example, we may be imparted with previously untold information about, in this case, Sri Lanka. How great is that, right? What can be bad about being aware of things we heretofore would not know about [if technology didn't allow us to]? Well, simply put, it could be bad because that hot button news about Sri Lanka will often lack any truly insightful analysis. It's meant to be read over quickly. In addition, if John Q-article reader doesn't already know something about Sri Lanka then he or she won't likely make accurate sense of what's going on. Nonetheless, they'll store the article's information away in a special part of their brain, and call it up if necessary.
So let me try and draw a parallel to how this relates to "being a fan". We now have, at any one point, a multitude of different websites, all generating an absolute messload of information about our teams. We have player interviews, scout, coach interviews, columns, editorials, specials, rumors, qualified insights, predictions, evaluations, mock drafts, ad infinitum. We, as fans, take great interest to what these articles (or videos, etc., you gete my point) include. We seek out such information, I think, because of our desire to be up to date, to get the inside scoop, and most simply, because we care about our teams and we find that the attainment of such knowledge is inherently good.
The problem is, however, we're often ill-equipped to make sense of it all. We apply different standards to different types of information. We're quick to give credence to something that supports our already defined position; we typically disregard something that's incompatible with what we believe. We have trouble tying relevant information together (which, in our defense, can be difficult. One report says this, another report says something else. There's a connection between the two, but we're so bogged down by the influx of information, we forget to apply an analytical mind and connect the dots). Also, we're at a disadvantage because the system of information is constantly moving forwards, and rarely corrects its own errors. A report says one thing today, another thing tomorrow, but doesn't usually provide a solid, objective answer; there's another story to get to tomorrow, so why bother? This leaves us with a problem that has 3 causes, maybe 2 of which have already been accounted for, but we don't know it because the newest bit of information fails in pointing out the erroneous nature of previous reports (okay... that was admittedly a TERRIBLE sentence. Do you still get me?). I can give a decent example for this one. League sources reported that Randy Moss was unequivocally unwilling to restructure his contract with the Packers. Another report stated that the Packers weren't able to make the deal because the management was unwilling to give up a 4th round pick. Favre then comes out and says that it wasn't just that they didn't give up the pick, but rather, that they wouldn't pay him the money (and that Moss indeed willing to restructure and wanted to play in Green Bay). So what do we do with this messload of contradictory information? We quibble with each other, we zone out the information that's not palatable to our preconceived ideas of what's right, and we deflect blame. We never really know what the truth is. Was Moss willing to make it happen? Did TT drop the ball? Was Moss only going to restructure for a contender? Did Favre REALLY demand a trade?
We don't know these answers. We do have this great outlet for information (mostly via the internet) but we're not prepared to use it constructively in many cases. It's not all on us, as stated; the system itself needs to improve. Nonetheless, the crux of what I'm trying to get at is this: it's changing what it means to be a fan. It used to be that being a fan was fairly simply defined: you rooted for a team, joined in community with others who did the same, and you put a cheese hat on. Yet now, we have so much information at our disposal, we have such a need to get things first and become inebriated with new reports. And I think this is hurting us.
What did people probably think 17 years ago when Holmgren and Wolf made the trade for Favre? They gave up a 1st rounder for what was then an overweight, unexperienced 2nd round pick. What would we be saying if this forum (and a well populated internet populace) existed back then? Would we have called for TT's job (or made vitriolic attacks about his ability, his intentions, and his character)? What about if we were Cowboys fans from 30 years ago (God forbid)? What would we think of Landry in his first few years when the organization was the dregs of the league? I guess we'd probably have some of the same arguments; however, due to what would probably have been a lack of information (or rather, an absence of an information OVERLOAD) we would HOPEFULLY reserve judgment. We'd take the "wait and see" approach rather than the childish, self-righteous, know-it-all, won't-budge-from-my-stance, gotta-see-results-soon ******** that is so unbelievably pervasive in our society (on this forum, in America, in most of the Western world, maybe just ingrained in humans altogether [sorry if that sounds fatalist]).
I just gotta think there's a better way of goin' about things. We all, on this forum, want the same thing. Yet, we claim to stand divided on a bunch of topics. We can't resolve our disputes rationally, we call each other names, blah blah blah. I don't know what the answer is, but I think it starts with being patient. And that's hard. Because every time a new interview comes out, or an insider report, or a nasty rumor shows its ugly face, we think everything has changed. Well it hasn't.
Let's see where this thing takes us. Let's wait and see if these players turn out to be any good. Let's see if we can, as fans, stop exacerbating this internal shitstorm. We don't want a damn Packers "Civil War", but I promise you, if the debate about the Packers becomes one simply reduced to TT and Brett Favre... we are hopeless.
So... I dunno... this went on forever. I guess I should say that I think we should try to simplify things. Remember what makes us fans. Remember that reports and scouting and interviews happen everyday, but come September the really important stuff starts: they go play football games.
Knowledge is a public good and its widespread accessibility is critical to the cultural, economic, and political development of the citizens of an open, democratic society. But we aren't so knowledgeable anymore. Instead, we're just overcome with information. Let it soak in, really think about things, try to remove your emotions and pre-conceived ideas, and THEN have an intelligent debate.
[...steps off of soap box...]
And like I said, I'm part of the problem too. But I'm gonna try and change my ways a bit. Maybe you should do the same.
Okay. I'll first start things off with admitting guilt. I am part of the [soon to be mentioned] problem. I take part in it. That said, I've become acutely aware of my involvement but more importantly the negative effects of the problem. I'm admittedly a hypocrite, but I'm trying to change my ways.
So what's the problem? In this day and age we are too quick too judge. We are too quick to judge in part because we have more information at our disposal and this information comes to us faster than it ever did (or rather, "could"). The internet allows for a constant exchange of information (authentic or not) that is disseminated to the masses with amazing speed. Something that happens in Sri Lanka (if big enough or deemed "newsworthy" enough) will be on the wire within moments. In this example, we may be imparted with previously untold information about, in this case, Sri Lanka. How great is that, right? What can be bad about being aware of things we heretofore would not know about [if technology didn't allow us to]? Well, simply put, it could be bad because that hot button news about Sri Lanka will often lack any truly insightful analysis. It's meant to be read over quickly. In addition, if John Q-article reader doesn't already know something about Sri Lanka then he or she won't likely make accurate sense of what's going on. Nonetheless, they'll store the article's information away in a special part of their brain, and call it up if necessary.
So let me try and draw a parallel to how this relates to "being a fan". We now have, at any one point, a multitude of different websites, all generating an absolute messload of information about our teams. We have player interviews, scout, coach interviews, columns, editorials, specials, rumors, qualified insights, predictions, evaluations, mock drafts, ad infinitum. We, as fans, take great interest to what these articles (or videos, etc., you gete my point) include. We seek out such information, I think, because of our desire to be up to date, to get the inside scoop, and most simply, because we care about our teams and we find that the attainment of such knowledge is inherently good.
The problem is, however, we're often ill-equipped to make sense of it all. We apply different standards to different types of information. We're quick to give credence to something that supports our already defined position; we typically disregard something that's incompatible with what we believe. We have trouble tying relevant information together (which, in our defense, can be difficult. One report says this, another report says something else. There's a connection between the two, but we're so bogged down by the influx of information, we forget to apply an analytical mind and connect the dots). Also, we're at a disadvantage because the system of information is constantly moving forwards, and rarely corrects its own errors. A report says one thing today, another thing tomorrow, but doesn't usually provide a solid, objective answer; there's another story to get to tomorrow, so why bother? This leaves us with a problem that has 3 causes, maybe 2 of which have already been accounted for, but we don't know it because the newest bit of information fails in pointing out the erroneous nature of previous reports (okay... that was admittedly a TERRIBLE sentence. Do you still get me?). I can give a decent example for this one. League sources reported that Randy Moss was unequivocally unwilling to restructure his contract with the Packers. Another report stated that the Packers weren't able to make the deal because the management was unwilling to give up a 4th round pick. Favre then comes out and says that it wasn't just that they didn't give up the pick, but rather, that they wouldn't pay him the money (and that Moss indeed willing to restructure and wanted to play in Green Bay). So what do we do with this messload of contradictory information? We quibble with each other, we zone out the information that's not palatable to our preconceived ideas of what's right, and we deflect blame. We never really know what the truth is. Was Moss willing to make it happen? Did TT drop the ball? Was Moss only going to restructure for a contender? Did Favre REALLY demand a trade?
We don't know these answers. We do have this great outlet for information (mostly via the internet) but we're not prepared to use it constructively in many cases. It's not all on us, as stated; the system itself needs to improve. Nonetheless, the crux of what I'm trying to get at is this: it's changing what it means to be a fan. It used to be that being a fan was fairly simply defined: you rooted for a team, joined in community with others who did the same, and you put a cheese hat on. Yet now, we have so much information at our disposal, we have such a need to get things first and become inebriated with new reports. And I think this is hurting us.
What did people probably think 17 years ago when Holmgren and Wolf made the trade for Favre? They gave up a 1st rounder for what was then an overweight, unexperienced 2nd round pick. What would we be saying if this forum (and a well populated internet populace) existed back then? Would we have called for TT's job (or made vitriolic attacks about his ability, his intentions, and his character)? What about if we were Cowboys fans from 30 years ago (God forbid)? What would we think of Landry in his first few years when the organization was the dregs of the league? I guess we'd probably have some of the same arguments; however, due to what would probably have been a lack of information (or rather, an absence of an information OVERLOAD) we would HOPEFULLY reserve judgment. We'd take the "wait and see" approach rather than the childish, self-righteous, know-it-all, won't-budge-from-my-stance, gotta-see-results-soon ******** that is so unbelievably pervasive in our society (on this forum, in America, in most of the Western world, maybe just ingrained in humans altogether [sorry if that sounds fatalist]).
I just gotta think there's a better way of goin' about things. We all, on this forum, want the same thing. Yet, we claim to stand divided on a bunch of topics. We can't resolve our disputes rationally, we call each other names, blah blah blah. I don't know what the answer is, but I think it starts with being patient. And that's hard. Because every time a new interview comes out, or an insider report, or a nasty rumor shows its ugly face, we think everything has changed. Well it hasn't.
Let's see where this thing takes us. Let's wait and see if these players turn out to be any good. Let's see if we can, as fans, stop exacerbating this internal shitstorm. We don't want a damn Packers "Civil War", but I promise you, if the debate about the Packers becomes one simply reduced to TT and Brett Favre... we are hopeless.
So... I dunno... this went on forever. I guess I should say that I think we should try to simplify things. Remember what makes us fans. Remember that reports and scouting and interviews happen everyday, but come September the really important stuff starts: they go play football games.
Knowledge is a public good and its widespread accessibility is critical to the cultural, economic, and political development of the citizens of an open, democratic society. But we aren't so knowledgeable anymore. Instead, we're just overcome with information. Let it soak in, really think about things, try to remove your emotions and pre-conceived ideas, and THEN have an intelligent debate.
[...steps off of soap box...]
And like I said, I'm part of the problem too. But I'm gonna try and change my ways a bit. Maybe you should do the same.
