Soap Box on Current Fandom Trends

Have y'all recently been to a sporting event, or any live event in the past 5 years? Don't mind the global pandemic, i'm curious if you've attended a sporting event, concert, comedy show, etc...

Is it just me or do some fans purchase tickets, to then sit on their phone the entire time? After attending some recent sporting events, I noticed a large majority of fans were attached to their phone or were socializing with each other without watching the game. If you look at the photo to the right, you can see what, I assume is a father (in black hat and shirt), on their phone while their child is smiling at the sporting event. Now, if you look closely at the individual in black attire, you may see a small smirk on his face. Does this situation sound familiar to anyone? In the age of technological advancements, I am worried that fans attending games are simply doing just that, attending a game. BUT there is no active FANDOM being expressed. This little kid on the right is a beautiful example of was fandom can do on a psychological level. Maybe this little guy will grow up to ignore his child at a future sporting event because his favorite influencer posted something new on whatever social media account they use.

I am wondering if modern day fans attend games for a mixture of reasons at this point: (1) the game itself? maybe... , (2) socialization, (3) checking their phone at every "dead moment", and (4) ... because there is nothing else better to do? When I was a kid (insert old joke because I am now in my 30's), I would attend football games with my dad. At the time, we were St. Louis Rams season-ticket holders, but don't get me started on the Rams and that s$#! show of a relocation that occurred. I LOVED going to games with my father, mostly because it was a time before the complete reliance upon cellular devices and people attending events were there to live in the moment and appreciate the show in front of them. Experiencing those games in a natural and authentic sense brings me eternal joy; I carry multiple memories in my head of those games.

I wonder if the child in the above photo will feel the same way since their father is on their phone rather than paying attention to (1) their child and (2) the game itself. I pray for a time in the future where fans will attend games in an authentic manner. As much as this would cause mass hysteria, what if a team had cell-phone jammers in the stadium, FORCING fans to live in the moment and watch the game? What a freaking nightmare that would be, but wait, isnt that how fans went to games 30 years ago? What's the difference? Are we self-reliant on phones now? Has it gotten to the point where we cant even live in the moment and appreciate a sporting event with the people we love without touching our cell phone?

I urge sport fans to attend 1 game in 2025 WITHOUT their phone and let me know what you feel and think. Maybe you will start to appreciate the ambience, environment, game, and competition more?

But, who am I kidding, 3-5 hours WITHOUT your phone? How ridiculous is that...

Side note, on the right is a photo from a concert I went to. Yeah yeah, I hear you saying: "wow this dude just complained to us about people on their phones at live events, then posts a photo of him at one".... and my response, you're right.

God bless and thank you for reading my thoughts from the ivory tower.

Talk soon,

Nathan