Theallmightypoe
you will soon learn that logic does not define human behaviour, but, yes the racecar example is correct. your reasons of wanting your car to win, isn't as important as the feeling you get when you're correct or incorrect. most people are guided by those emotions, so much so that logic is out the window.
that is also the reason for the big following of major sports. They feel a similar connection to the teams they like, and follow them. (there are also people who just enjoy the game in its entirety)
Let's see if I understand this...
A child is watching a football game. He naturally feels some urge for 'his' team to win. This is further reinforced by his parents and friends having the same urge. Now suppose there exists someone the child knows who believes a different team is superior. They exchange opinions. Now that the child has made a testable prediction, he wants his team to win more and somehow believes more strongly that they will. This starts a cycle wherein his increased faith leads to more predictions, leading to increased faith until one day he is buying merchandise and screaming at the TV.
But my model predicts that people would lose interest in the sport once their team is out. Yet the Super Bowl is one of the largest events of the year. Further, my parents who are mild fans at best, watch it every week regardless of who is playing.
What if someone were to develop loyalty to a certain player on the team. Suppose the player winds up on a new team. Then the child is going to want the new team to do well so that his player can do well. Without thinking about it too hard, this seems to explain how someone can support a 'foreign' team, but it still doesn't explain the Super Bowl.
However, noting that this model is untested, let us assume for the sake of argument that it is at least mostly true. I might use this at the start of the next season to draw close to a particular person by making predictions that align with theirs. By then I will be twenty-one, so I will be able to use alcohol to not-think of the illogic of it and allow myself to be drawn in by my prediction. Now that we are emotionally tied to the same thing, a small bond forms. It deepens as the season progresses. By the time the Super Bowl arrives it will hopefully be sufficiently deep that I can question him to help expand my model. With practice, I may even be able to accomplish this without giving into the hype. Of course, I probably won't like the other person as much this way, but I'll at least keep my integrity.
If this works, it will be evidence in favor of my model.
Perhaps I could identify with this mindset more my drawing an analogy with my religious views, which seem to work the same way on the surface level. However, I suspect that this line of thought would lead me only to be less obnoxious regarding my religion rather than understanding sports fans. Granted, this is still a net positive, but not the one I want right now.
I believe we've beaten this topic enough. What about funerals? I recognize that this may be a sensitive and emotional topic. I am not at all trying to disrespect your views. They way I see it, once someone is dead, he doesn't matter anymore. So spending massive amounts of money (I believe the Army gives out $100,000 for funeral arrangements to the families of fallen Soldiers) and time over something that no longer exists seems ridiculous.
Kyanderu
I have a suggestion. How about you try to interact with online people or interact in a group that suites your interest. It seems to be not that hard isn't it? Then later on, little by little, try to talk to people around you. Do your best efforts to have a connection. Blent in then later go out of shell little by little.
Well, I've found a writing group near me. Problem is, everyone's twice my age.
smile And I'm not sure how to progress from 'person whose work I critique' to 'friend.' I am also unsure what to say to a random person.