One of the fun features of facebook is the ability to register as a "fan" of various teams, causes, groups and individuals. But for some reason last week, I was feeling a bit dissatisfied about the on-or-off nature of such a choice. After all, there are things and groups I'm much more devoted to than others, and so I suggested an alternative--a three-level expression of fan-ness ranging from "fan" to "advocate" to "militant supporter."
While facebook has yet to adopt this suggestion, the conversation on this subject with my facebook friends yielded a further refinement--a scale starting at 6 and ending at ten that covers the full range of support:
6-would generally prefer it to competitors
7-consider it part of one's identity
8-would actively recommend to others
9-would defend its honor in an argument, or perhaps, a fist-fight
10-would start a fist-fight on its behalf (if the situation warranted)
In most categories, I have but one entry. For sports teams, my criteria is slightly more relaxed--teams which generally don't play each other can be added.
6: Burger King (global fast food), Ajax (Dutch soccer), Star Alliance (airline alliance), Starwood Hotels, Lonely Planet (travel guides), Vlasic (pickles), Cattleman's BBQ sauce, Calve chunky peanut butter, Louisiana Brand hot sauce, Arkansas Razorbacks (college sports team-US South), Caramel/Toffee/Dulce de Leche, Klene Suikervrije Visjes (licorice), Canadian Club (whisky)
7. Chicago Cubs (baseball), The Economist, Turkish Coffee, Eurostar (trans-channel train service), Sharp Cheddar, Limes, DC United (MLS Soccer), KimChee (Korean equivalent of sauerkraut), CCM (association of communication pros), Magret de Canard (duck breast-favorite French meal)
8. University of Wisconsin (university, sports teams), Belgian Beer, easyJet (European budget airline), Democratic Party (US), Cocktail Sauce (US condiment), Pastrami (favorite delicatessen meal), Prime Rib (favorite steakhouse meal), Iskender Kebab (favorite Turkish meal)
9. Tottenham Hotspur (English Soccer), Liberal Judaism, US Men's National Soccer Team (international soccer), Belgium (favorite country to live in), President Barack Obama, Landmark Education (kick-ass education and training programs), Reproductive Freedom/Abortion Rights, The Pigs (favorite species)
10. Israel, Health Care Reform (US), London Business School
What I found most interesting in looking at things this way is that it gave me an ability to compare my various favorites across categories. I'm about as much of an Obama fan as I am a Spurs fan--would defend their respective honor, but also occasionally moan about various on-field mistakes. It also reflects some personal evolution--while I love the University of Wisconsin, it's the Tottenham results I look for first these days.
The fist-fight distinction is also a bit aspirational--I haven't actually been in any fist fights since university, my last attempt being at a Young Republicans convention in 1992 which preceded my switch to the Democrats by two months. But it still crystalizes a level of support that goes well beyond mere preference or 'fandom'.
Please have a gander at this--and include your own ratings in the comments below!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Winter Olympics--What I'd Like To See
Aaah, it is but a few days until the Olympic Flame makes its triumphant entrance into the stadium in Vancouver, marking the start of the chilly version of "Seventeen Days of Glory."
Despite having had an abortive winter sports career that consisted of an abortive attempt at cross-country skiing (one that I never adequately apologized to my dad for--having duly bought me a pair of skis at my persistent insistence), I've long loved the cold version of the Olympics at least as much as the warm. Still, I think there's room for improvement--hence, my 2010 suggested Winter Olympic Combinations:
1) Biathluge: Combining the high-speed excitement of the luge with the precision of target shooting
2) Alpine Hockey: The offensive team passes the puck down the mountain while the defenders wait in front of the goal in the valley
3) Halfpipe Curling: Instead of pushing the stone straight to the target, the stone moves in pendulum motion, zigzagging down the snowboard half pipe towards Olympic glory
4) Short Track Ski Jumping: An abbreviated launch from higher altitude heightens the drama of an already breathtaking sport
5) Figure Slalom: Combining the artistics of figure skating with the short but precise turning of the slalom
While these are too late for inclusion in the 2010 agenda--how about trying these as video games?
Despite having had an abortive winter sports career that consisted of an abortive attempt at cross-country skiing (one that I never adequately apologized to my dad for--having duly bought me a pair of skis at my persistent insistence), I've long loved the cold version of the Olympics at least as much as the warm. Still, I think there's room for improvement--hence, my 2010 suggested Winter Olympic Combinations:
1) Biathluge: Combining the high-speed excitement of the luge with the precision of target shooting
2) Alpine Hockey: The offensive team passes the puck down the mountain while the defenders wait in front of the goal in the valley
3) Halfpipe Curling: Instead of pushing the stone straight to the target, the stone moves in pendulum motion, zigzagging down the snowboard half pipe towards Olympic glory
4) Short Track Ski Jumping: An abbreviated launch from higher altitude heightens the drama of an already breathtaking sport
5) Figure Slalom: Combining the artistics of figure skating with the short but precise turning of the slalom
While these are too late for inclusion in the 2010 agenda--how about trying these as video games?
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