The Super Bowl - A Day of Futurisic Gluttony
The Super Bowl is our national pastime. It's surpassed every major event in the United States in terms of scale, viewership, and commercial importance. NBC sold out every advertising slot for this year's big game at a paltry 4.5 million dollars each. An estimated 160 million people will watch.
While that number is nowhere near the reach of a weekly match in the English Premier League or UEFA Champions League (soccer), it is ours and we own it will as much chest-thumping ego and bravado as we can.
To me, the Super Bowl is a time to gather together, much on some snacks, watch some football, and see some fun commercials. I would say most people share the same annual experience on this Super day. But, what is this day really about?
American football has grown increasingly difficult to watch for me. The game is so divided and chopped into segments between endless commercials, promos, video reviews, and injury timeouts, I can only retain interest for a few minutes or so. It optimizes futurism in a more and more modern entertainment landscape. We get increasingly shorter segments of ultra-entertainment. Flashing lights, replays, loud music, violent hitting, followed by more of the same during commercial breaks. When there is a lull in the entertainment, we turn to our favorite treats and stuff ourselves until the sight of a chicken wing or bowl of dip makes us queasy.
Over the years, I've found myself less and less satisfied by the smash and grab of the Super Bowl. I'm tired of comparing one game to another. One commercial to another. One player to another. I love food and snacks, so I'll never tire of those (although I certainly should). But, I wish there was something like this that appealed to more than the least common denominator. Something with more substance that inspired and encouraged us to reach higher (instead of reaching for our wallets).
Maybe this year, let's spend a bit less money and time just watching, and more time observing and analyzing why we are doing this. I'll certainly have the game on. I may not watch the whole thing, but I'll watch as much as I can. All I ask is that we don't simply switch off our minds and ingest everthing thrown our way. Let's be picky. Let's think. Let's ask "why?"
To me, the Super Bowl is a time to gather together, much on some snacks, watch some football, and see some fun commercials. I would say most people share the same annual experience on this Super day. But, what is this day really about?
American football has grown increasingly difficult to watch for me. The game is so divided and chopped into segments between endless commercials, promos, video reviews, and injury timeouts, I can only retain interest for a few minutes or so. It optimizes futurism in a more and more modern entertainment landscape. We get increasingly shorter segments of ultra-entertainment. Flashing lights, replays, loud music, violent hitting, followed by more of the same during commercial breaks. When there is a lull in the entertainment, we turn to our favorite treats and stuff ourselves until the sight of a chicken wing or bowl of dip makes us queasy.
Over the years, I've found myself less and less satisfied by the smash and grab of the Super Bowl. I'm tired of comparing one game to another. One commercial to another. One player to another. I love food and snacks, so I'll never tire of those (although I certainly should). But, I wish there was something like this that appealed to more than the least common denominator. Something with more substance that inspired and encouraged us to reach higher (instead of reaching for our wallets).
Maybe this year, let's spend a bit less money and time just watching, and more time observing and analyzing why we are doing this. I'll certainly have the game on. I may not watch the whole thing, but I'll watch as much as I can. All I ask is that we don't simply switch off our minds and ingest everthing thrown our way. Let's be picky. Let's think. Let's ask "why?"
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