Friday, November 12, 2010
The bond of a common experience.
Ok, so on this highly educational conference I did take the opportunity to do something I have wanted to do for many years; I went to an NFL football game. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Baltimore Ravens in a very close game. I was a little nervous to go to a huge stadium filled with people and sit by myself. I quickly realized those fears were unfounded. I was surrounded by groups of complete strangers whose only connection was this game. We all sat quietly exchanging small talk until the kickoff and then it was as if we had known each other for years and had come to the game together. Together we hung off the result of every play, cheering wildly and exchanging arm breaking high fives and suffering the angst at the loss of yardage. The man next to me spoke with a deep southern drawl which I happily listened to and nodded in agreement, understanding about 40% of everything he said. There were two Baltimore fans sitting in front of my new posse and to my surprise these hard core Atlanta fans dished out some good natured ribbing but where respectful of their alliance to their team. We understand the emotional allegiance to a team; we understand what it is like to be a fan. Three hours later we exchanged a final boisterous congratulations on a big win (as if we had anything to do with it) and dispersed. From this day forward I will always be a Falcons fan but I am left pondering the experience of human connection and how strangers can be brought together at an emotional level by a common experience.
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I think people who have a common mindset or belif can be brought together by something or someone who endorses it (ie. some political parties). Still, that does not do justice to the feeling one has when at events like sports tournaments with fellow fans. so interesting to observe how people who have so many differences can unanimously share and agree emotionally over huge issues (like global warming) or trivial things (like favouring Smarties over M&Ms). It's interesting to ponder if this connection between people of varying mindsets contributes to the formation of culture and/or politics...
ReplyDeletePerhaps, the human mind could simply be searching for conformity; that's why political parties are so tightly bonded. Similarities and agreement are always strong enough to bring and hold people together. Agreeing on an outlook on life and a view on the best way to lead a country, is a strong example of instantly bonding on an impersonal level. It is demonstrated in both sports and politics how one strong opinion can conjoin and separate us as human beings. We feel so comforted when in agreement with others, that we will try to bring them to our side. Political parties want to be elected so that their citizens will live the way they believe is the right way to live. That leaves me asking the question, if we are so strong in what we believe, than why does it matter so much if others agree with us?
ReplyDeleteNo matter who a person is or what their beliefs are, one common aspect can make them spontaneously come together, and become friends almost instantly. There are many different situations in which this could happen, such as a sporting event, war, or even a sale. People work best together when they have something in common, and there are disastrous consequences when people don't agree. Most wars have been fought over a difference in opinion, such as religion or politics, and most definitely could have been resolved without the war at all. So I'm left wondering, why do people feel such a strong need to prove that their outlook is better? That what they believe in is right, and what everyone else thinks is wrong? I'm pretty sure most people would think it's absurd to have a war over which football team is better. It's a matter of personal opinion, which you like more. But if that's ridiculous, why don't people see that the other opinions they're fighting over are absurd too?
ReplyDeleteI think everyone in the world can come together in all kinds of situations and form a bond since they have some kind of common interest like the one above. They have all come together to watch a football game, which is the common interest between you and all of the fans watching for the same reasons. Although there are fans who have come together to cheer for two different teams, you have settled to an agreement that you are all there to watch the game, but there are still arguments on which team is better. I think that humans have always had this connection of creating a bond with a complete stranger. But I do agree with all of you how humans are always so persistent in thinking that their outlook is better than everyone else's.
ReplyDeleteHumans believe what they want to believe and act the same as each other some of the time, we can judge someone purely on what they believe but we also accept others that have similarities in almost a subconscious attempt to form a relationship. I remember a true story about an albino killer whale that had joined a pod where, when the scientists examined closer, each whale had its own difference and oddity because they had all been outcast from their own pod, so even whales have this feeling and instinct of common experience bonding.
ReplyDeleteFor an often transient event, the feeling of bonding over a common experience is such a spectacle. Still, it's scary to observe the power people can have when they share a common belief (Nazi party and most other totalitarian regimes included). I think that our varied personal beliefs, while possibly getting in the way of "perfect" and "utopian" visions, are what keep us form all following the same monotonous path. I think that common experience helps us to share our ideas, not to encourage us to assimilate ourselves.
ReplyDeleteHumans often bond together when they share a common goal. The fans of the Falcons that Mr. Janzen met were not very harsh, but if someone went to a Canucks game in a Colorado jersey you would get beer dumped on. Sometimes, fans or people in general get over competitive and struggle to promote their favourite team in general. It is too bad that most fans and people act this way. People get over work up even though they are not the ones playing and that ruins part of the game.
ReplyDeleteWhen people have something in common, I think that they feel more comfortable socializing with one another because they feel a sense of comfort that they will always have something to talk about. If I was new to a school and didn't know anybody there, I would be more likely to approach someone who looked like they didn't know anybody versus a larger group.
ReplyDeleteWell I believe that bonds between strangers vary for each person, you could get a reaction to one of your comments as simple as nodding in agreement or screaming and jumping because your just that type of person. I think a common experience can help you start up a conversation but in not all situations can it really create a bond.
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