Is soccer the modern-day opiate of the masses?

[FlashMan]

Just wondering what u think.

I think it is, but fortunately is so much more as well.

[X X I]

Just wondering what u think.

I think it is, but fortunately is so much more as well.

I agree with both points.

[RandyNA74]

Just wondering what u think.

I think it is, but fortunately is so much more as well.
If you read Hand of God, a Maradona biography, there is an interesting discussion as to how the military junta in Argentina used soccer as a drug to pacify the masses while all kinds of horrors were going on in the country.

[IASocFan]

The opiates of the USA are NFL, college football (for men) and soap operas for women. Soccer only affects a very select few of us in the US. :p :eek:

[Cannon]

I don't know about you guys but I'm not addicted. I can stop watching soccer any time I want. Seriously...just not today. :D

[Gordon EF]

Football is not a matter of life and death, it's more important!

Maybe taking it a wee bit too far, but pretty close. :D

[La China Poblana]

Football has historically been used by various regimes to pacify populations. Franco used football to depoliticize the Spanish working class during his regime, Hitler did the same thing in Germany, and Mussolini in Italy. I also remember reading something after the last WC that said that there was a negative correlation between winning the WC and political activism in Brazil.

[simplysoccerBR]

Really? Soccer nowadays is so boring......Rarely a 6-0 score, most of the games end tied. Offside should be banned, or else some other sport, like futsal or basketball will own soccer in terms of popularity.

[topcatcole]

...Must...have...soccer...fix...

...Must...watch...Fox...Sports...World...

...Must...read...Bigsoccer...

[SirManchester]

I cannot get enough of it...if i don't see or read about it on a dailt basis, i go into shock :p ...seriously..it has hugely positive effect on my life, especially during tough times..i confess i am an addict...someone please help... ;)