Why do we love sports so much? Do we love entertainment? The arts & drama? Why do we go back in history books & see structures like The Coliseum in Rome, or Shakespeare’s theaters.
Things that bring us together for EXPERIENCES bigger than ourselves – they make us feel alive & connected. They even give us purpose.
Last nt (guess depends who you root for ;)), but, was a pretty special time to be a NY sports fan. I shared images & videos from 2 of the venues that hosted playoff games➡️: UBS & the Islanders, MSG & the Knicks. Both home teams won. Some of the images are mine…some are those of friends. Common themes – togetherness, camaraderie, celebration. One image is of a friend & his dad holding the typical signs you always see come playoff time “All-In, All One.”
Heck, we had the Jets in our suite rooting on the Isles. Groups pulling for something bigger than themselves. Each time we scored, you’d think it was as if their own team won the Super Bowl.
I brought someone to her first hockey game ever – & she said – “This atmosphere is amazing, it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. I’m hooked.” Why is that?
We saw it during the Damar Hamlin situation. That wasn’t celebratory like a winning game. At the time, didn’t matter your race, gender, age, etc., we were all pulling for the SAME thing – him to get better.
2 of the last slides: speeches. 1 from Steven A Smith abt a willingness to talk to others w DIFF opinions than your own. Another from Pharrell abt avoiding alg0s that purposely divide & separate us.
Prediction here, but I think over the next 10yrs you’re gonna see more of that. A counter-culture movement away from what social media/traditional media & other vehicles/even leaders have done to us. People are growing tired of the division. Those who can bring us together, in the long run – they will help heal this world & bring us back to what we naturally crave & NEED…bigger connection/less hate, more community.
As a person…as a company on here, what do you want to stand for? Othering…or togetherness? We all have a choice.