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Alex Holcombe's avatar

Thank you for the great post. The idea that people think being a sports fan is a virtue is intriguing. I suspect it's true, but that it's only a small part of why it's mentioned. Perhaps such things are mentioned in obituaries and eulogies because they help a person feel they know something characteristic of the person, and humanize them. Finally, what is unusual about a person may be the most memorable thing about them, because of how our memory works. We reminisce about the idiosyncratic things about them, not the everyday things that almost everyone else also take part in. Regarding being a sports fan specifically, it may be thought of as virtuous in part because it signals a kind of community involvement, typically the community of those reading the obituary. But also it creates an image of the person acting passionately, and full of life.

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Alejandro Vazquez del Mercado's avatar

The thoughts you've shared along the years have made our lives richer and more meaningful. Not only that, but also your example on how to appreciate life and live it to the fullest, your music, your stories, your courage to speak up, your kindness and humanity --especially when everything in the world, and academia itself is pushing towards disenchantment.

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