Tuesday, July 24, 2007
A Clarification.
I've noticed this blog listed in a few places as being "pro" certain teams. I'm not going to pretend that I'm some kind of inhuman robot that dispassionately comments on each team and player. I don't even know what the use of that is. To me, being a fan is an essential aspect of any observation of the sport.
But that's not the purpose here. Objectively, some of the posts here fall into the "fan" category, but the substantive points here are not pro- or anti- any team. If there is that appearance, it is intended to correct for the ridiculous media narratives that pervade and pollute fan discussion.
The purpose of this site is to penetrate that force field of shit and look at the game based on what we can see and records we can read. In a sense, it is an empirical deconstruction of media narratives. This means sometimes we will be critical of an overrated player or team, or shine positive light on an underrated player or team.
So, just because I reject the "Devils Destroy Hockey" meme doesn't mean, to me at least, that I'm biased in their favor. I believe I have stated unequivocally on many occasions that it is important for the NHL to succeed in New York, LA, and Chicago. Therefore, it does not follow that I am somehow a proponent of the "Rangers Destroy Hockey" meme due to some pro-Devils bias.
It is my fundamental contention that most sports journalism is a travesty; it is mostly soap opera for men. It doesn't educate the fan, or make them more informed. It just updates them on the heroes and heels of the week. If you're interested, like I am, in understanding hockey, in being better at predicting outcomes, and advocating a solid future for the game, you shouldn't have a problem with this.
If, on the other hand, you find some kind of catharsis in blaming Chris Pronger or Derian Hatcher for your problems, this is not the site for you. I suggest you pickup a comic book instead.
But that's not the purpose here. Objectively, some of the posts here fall into the "fan" category, but the substantive points here are not pro- or anti- any team. If there is that appearance, it is intended to correct for the ridiculous media narratives that pervade and pollute fan discussion.
The purpose of this site is to penetrate that force field of shit and look at the game based on what we can see and records we can read. In a sense, it is an empirical deconstruction of media narratives. This means sometimes we will be critical of an overrated player or team, or shine positive light on an underrated player or team.
So, just because I reject the "Devils Destroy Hockey" meme doesn't mean, to me at least, that I'm biased in their favor. I believe I have stated unequivocally on many occasions that it is important for the NHL to succeed in New York, LA, and Chicago. Therefore, it does not follow that I am somehow a proponent of the "Rangers Destroy Hockey" meme due to some pro-Devils bias.
It is my fundamental contention that most sports journalism is a travesty; it is mostly soap opera for men. It doesn't educate the fan, or make them more informed. It just updates them on the heroes and heels of the week. If you're interested, like I am, in understanding hockey, in being better at predicting outcomes, and advocating a solid future for the game, you shouldn't have a problem with this.
If, on the other hand, you find some kind of catharsis in blaming Chris Pronger or Derian Hatcher for your problems, this is not the site for you. I suggest you pickup a comic book instead.
// posted by Rick @ 3:25 PM 
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