The article highlights the importance of shared experiences in sports fandom, particularly how watching events alone can diminish the emotional impact of competition. The author reflects on attending a track meet solo, noting that the absence of shared reactions reduces the excitement and intensity of the moments. This realization leads to a discussion on the role of anonymous message boards in digital sports fandom. While these forums can provide valuable insights and enthusiasm, they also come with challenges, as they allow for unfettered discourse that can be both beneficial and harmful.
I want to point out the social character of fandom to clarify that I understand why people want to talk about sports online.
Fandom is social. A large part of being a fan is the shared experience - the questions and commentary, varied perspectives, disagreements, and projections about future races.
When you spectate alone, you have to reduce your boiling to a simmer. The big moments go unspoken, and the experience falls flat.
Anonymous posting is not always a bad thing. Often these boards capture the enthusiasm of fans, a range of perspectives, and insights into tactics.
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