The Aesthetics of Watching Football: A Purist's Perspective

🎭Watching football for the drama and aesthetics offers a different kind of enjoyment than being a partisan.

🏆Victory as a partisan brings only temporary joy, while appreciating the beauty of the game provides a deeper and more satisfying pleasure.

⚽Being a purist allows one to appreciate the aesthetics of both winning and losing, while partisans can only enjoy the successes of their own team.

🌈The purest way to watch sport is to focus on the aesthetics and enjoy the competition, without being attached to a specific team.

🎉Supporting a team is about loyalty and standing by them, regardless of their performance or results.

What is the difference between a purist and a partisan in watching football?

—A purist watches football purely for the aesthetics and enjoyment of the game, appreciating the beauty in every match. A partisan, on the other hand, supports a specific team and finds joy in their victories, often disregarding the aesthetics of the game.

Can a purist still experience joy and satisfaction in watching football?

—Absolutely! A purist can take a deeper and more satisfying pleasure in watching football, appreciating the skill, tactics, and beauty of the game, regardless of the outcome. The joy comes from the overall aesthetics and competition, rather than being exclusively tied to a team's success.

Is being a purist the only valid way to watch football?

—No, there is no one right way to watch football. Being a purist is just a different approach that emphasizes the aesthetics and beauty of the game. Partisans, who support specific teams, have their own unique joy in cheering for their team's victories and being emotionally invested in their performance.

Can a person be both a purist and a partisan?

—It is possible for someone to appreciate the aesthetics of the game as a purist while also supporting a specific team as a partisan. They can enjoy both the overall beauty of football and the emotional connection to a team. However, being a purist often means taking a step back from intense partisanship and appreciating the game more objectively.

What is the essence of being a purist in watching football?

—The essence of being a purist in watching football is to focus on the aesthetics, skill, and beauty of the game itself. It involves appreciating the tactics, strategies, and individual talent displayed by players, regardless of the teams involved or the final result. The joy comes from the artistry and competition of the sport.

00:04The author enjoys watching football for the drama and aesthetics, observing the human story and subplots that unfold in each game.

00:22The author highlights the tension and excitement that builds as the game approaches full-time and the uncertainty of which team will win.

02:00The author reflects on their experience as a partisan, supporting a lower division team with more defeats than victories.

03:06The author distinguishes between the enjoyment of a partisan and a purist, stating that the purist takes a deeper and more satisfying pleasure from the aesthetics of the game.

05:13The author shares their experience of forming a view about who deserves to win a game based on the style of play and aesthetics displayed by the teams.