Comments on: NFL and American individualism http://cultureby.com/2008/03/nfl-and-america.html This Blog Sits At the Intersection of Anthropology and Economics Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:43:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Donald A. Coffin http://cultureby.com/2008/03/nfl-and-america.html/comment-page-1#comment-1899 Donald A. Coffin Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:30:40 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=311#comment-1899 What's really instrumental about this proposed rule change is 1. That it would make tackling a player more difficult (he couldn't be dragged down by his hair, as happens more often than you'd think). 2. It could reduce injury risks, as players whose hair is yanked back could lead to neck injuries. Or maybe it's just a ploy to stifle the expression of a minority group which should be stifled anyway (not). What’s really instrumental about this proposed rule change is

1. That it would make tackling a player more difficult (he couldn’t be dragged down by his hair, as happens more often than you’d think).

2. It could reduce injury risks, as players whose hair is yanked back could lead to neck injuries.

Or maybe it’s just a ploy to stifle the expression of a minority group which should be stifled anyway (not).

]]> By: Abandon Text! http://cultureby.com/2008/03/nfl-and-america.html/comment-page-1#comment-1898 Abandon Text! Thu, 27 Mar 2008 06:54:32 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=311#comment-1898 Americans are by and large "instrumentalists", then, although they might delude themselves into thinking otherwise. The only reason we pay attention to Troy Polamalu at all is because he can really play ball. His "expressive" hair is rather accidental, a slight differentiator for his personal brand. It's his instrumental value that provides the bedrock of our interest in him. I doubt he would disagree, either. He might not like the League trying to quash is his personal branding, but he would rather be remembered as a great NFL player than "that long-haired guy." People who try to define themselves by their "expressive" nature -- their looks, their tastes, their arbitrary whims -- are usually the people who don't have any instrumental value to speak of, either because they are adolescents who haven't yet had enough opportunity to distinguish themselves by their achievements, or because they are losers. If expressiveness has utility, because it leads to great art or self-confidence or candor, then we can admire it. Otherwise it's just trade dress. Good luck at the PSFK event. My spies will be in the audience. Say hi to Joanna for me. Americans are by and large “instrumentalists”, then, although they might delude themselves into thinking otherwise. The only reason we pay attention to Troy Polamalu at all is because he can really play ball. His “expressive” hair is rather accidental, a slight differentiator for his personal brand. It’s his instrumental value that provides the bedrock of our interest in him. I doubt he would disagree, either. He might not like the League trying to quash is his personal branding, but he would rather be remembered as a great NFL player than “that long-haired guy.”

People who try to define themselves by their “expressive” nature — their looks, their tastes, their arbitrary whims — are usually the people who don’t have any instrumental value to speak of, either because they are adolescents who haven’t yet had enough opportunity to distinguish themselves by their achievements, or because they are losers. If expressiveness has utility, because it leads to great art or self-confidence or candor, then we can admire it. Otherwise it’s just trade dress.

Good luck at the PSFK event. My spies will be in the audience. Say hi to Joanna for me.

]]> By: The Owner's Manual http://cultureby.com/2008/03/nfl-and-america.html/comment-page-1#comment-1897 The Owner's Manual Thu, 27 Mar 2008 01:44:18 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=311#comment-1897 I have often complained about how gross the long hair looks hanging out the back of players' helmets. Players wear uniforms that are dictated by the team/league. In the military, someone with ropes of hair spilling out would be penalized for being 'out of uniform.' That's why it's called 'uniform' after all. It's a team sport. Individualism should be reflected in one's contribution to the team, not one's appearance on the field. Off the field, they can do pretty much anything you and I would do. Considering the millions of dollars these athletes are paid, having to look professional on the field isn't much to ask. I have often complained about how gross the long hair looks hanging out the back of players’ helmets.

Players wear uniforms that are dictated by the team/league. In the military, someone with ropes of hair spilling out would be penalized for being ‘out of uniform.’

That’s why it’s called ‘uniform’ after all. It’s a team sport. Individualism should be reflected in one’s contribution to the team, not one’s appearance on the field.

Off the field, they can do pretty much anything you and I would do. Considering the millions of dollars these athletes are paid, having to look professional on the field isn’t much to ask.

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