"If it helps at all, think about the high school,
mid-high, and younger players who will read
these
posts, and decide that maybe quiz bowl after graduation
isn't something they want to be
involved in, if
it's as rude and moronic as some of these people's
posts make it out to be."
Speaking from the
perspective of a younger player without any significant
experience of "the circuit", I find it very entertaining, as
have a few other novices i've talked to. The personal
insults and attacks lend a new dimension to the activity,
and give more meanings to tournaments and games.
Imagine a matchup between two teams who have been flaming
each other for months! that would be an excellent game
to watch, take part in, or even moderate. Such
"childish" behaviour, in my view, simply makes quizbowl more
human. The rich emotional palette of interpersonal
relationships makes for great competition, and fun reading
while bored on the internet.
Emmet C.
Tuohy
Georgetown '03