Sunday night

[pteromys]

Last time, I was proud, knowing the extraordinary cost. I hated the individual who had died, though I have nothing to show that this individual ever wronged me. I resented those who condemned my hatred; and so I lashed out by celebrating brazenly, aiming to offend most those who had spoken the loudest. Maybe I felt a need to justify the cost,

Comments

derp...

[r33na]

I found the cheering and flash mobs kinda unsettling. I felt like the more appropriate reaction was like... somber relief or something... I dunno

Re: derp...

[pteromys]

Relief or the end of a cliffhanger definitely feels more appropriate to me too

[chessbot]

> sports are just a less costly war analogue

People don't die in sports. And nobody celebrates if they do. The opposing team included.

[pteromys]

> sports are just a less costly war analogue

I think I also would like this explained. I could see it as being a less costly outlet for competitive tendencies, but I don't think competitive tendencies were our motivation for this war. It seemed more like a fear of bin Laden launching another attack and organizing more terrorists.

That said, maybe it's all the same to people separated from the war by half a globe or ten years. Or maybe the belief that the war is justified has to be maintained in some people by provoking their competitive tendencies. What would you suggest?

[chessbot]

My point is that claiming that celebrating at the death of somebody is just as appropriate as celebrating at a sporting victory is a false parallel.

[chessbot]

I'm not sure I agree that it's not about bin Laden's death. Regardless, though, I think the main misunderstanding on my part, came from your first post: I find the chanting weird = disquieting as a representative of people, but not weird = unsurprising. Oh well, so much for language. I think that's most people's reactions, though? I don't find people surprised that there is celebration... just disappointed.

[r33na]

I think people's managing to feel like they won is definitely part of what I find bizarre / bewildering about all this. No matter how I look at it, it just seems to me like a whole lot of people lost, on all sides. Badly.