No games, just sports

[evox3]

So, debates have been raging. What is a "sport" to you? I think the staples (basketball, football, baseball, etc.) can easily be classified as sports. But what makes them so? Are they games of physical skill? Is it their team natures? Do they necessarily have to be competitive

Comments

[perminisconious]

Chess grandmaster == shining example of humanity's inexorable rise towards greatness

[sugarmama13]

I'd liked to see you do what figure skaters and gymnasts do before you say that it's not rigorous or physically demanding. The scoring though somewhat subjective has very specific criteria to how it works. Technique is the biggest one. Yes some may do tricks, but to do them well is how they are being scored. Just because you don't understand it, doesn't mean that it's not specific. And for gymnastics and figure skating, they are awarded points, so in some respects you should be able to figure out who is ahead and who isn't (if you can count). So I don't know why you would eliminate those from your list. The only difference is that there is more than 2 "teams" competing.

[perminisconious]

You misunderstand what I said. I never said that it either were physically intensive, and I never said I didn't understand it. I fully agree that gymnastics and figure skating are extreme physical tests. I don't disagree that the average person can't do either

[arichi]

Some other sports have the subjectiveness rating, too. Remember the White Sox / Angels controversy from last year (the one for which the egg is still on my face)? I could be wrong, but... seems to me that the umpire's decision to speak or not speak was a big determiner in what happened then. Other sports have subjective rulings, too (movable obstructions in golf, technical fouls in basketball, etc).

I'm not trying to be difficult (it's very easy, but that's not the point either). I think we're all trying to explain our NN-based deciding algorithm ;)

[clayemore]

I generally agree with To0n. Something that is competitive, physical and has a demarcation(sp?) of who is better than who and requires skill. I include ice skaters, competitive dance, caber tossing, snowboarding, NASCAR (and most motor sports...maybe not drag though) and lots more. Magic is a game, even though there is a pro tour...not much physical needed there. Same with Chess, Checkers, Strip Twister, and Candyland. Twister can be physical, but it is missing the demarcation of rank. I guess maybe I also put in the requirement of national/international recognition. I think some sports are lamer than others (like bowling or golf) but they are still sports. I feel pool and billiards is a game, even though it fits all the criteria.

As to who I respect more...neither. I respect both for their achievment and dedication and for being able to do something I can't. I don't think either are on a path for humanities greatness.

[arichi]

There's a great George Carlin bit about how almost nothing is a sport. ;)

I take the NN approach: it is if I recognize it as one. Golf is a sport to me. It isn't to some folks. Calvinball is a game to me, but not a sport.

The only of GC's rules I follow towards sports is regarding running. I say this sometimes at a driving range that has a running track nearby. "How is running a sport?", I ask my friends who are with me, "and if it is, why isn't riding the bus a sport?"

Bridge was a demonstration event at the Olympics recently.

[arichi]

(for those wondering, I was kidding... running's a sport. Too many of my friends ran track for me to be able to say otherwise)

[thelittlesthalo]

Including moi. Good job adding that last bit in there. :-P

[arichi]

It was a joke I was hoping someone would call me on.