05-27-2020, 09:12 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-29-2020, 10:51 PM by AsylumParty.)
3)
To me, I think what strikes me as most significant when I consider this league, and all that it entails, is the absolute brilliance of the togetherness. Taking a moment to consider the niceties people have afforded myself, as well as many, many others is breath-taking. There is a real sense of working towards something greater than ourselves in this league, be it towards our team, or for the good of the league itself. Because, I mean, when it comes down to it, our league is based entirely on the foundation of only a few things, really.
First, there is (generally) the love of football. But even then, there are a number of people here who have no interest in the sport whatsoever outside of this league. So then, what draws them? Well, more than likely they already have some sort of "in," in the sense that they were either recruited, or simply enjoy simulation leagues. But considering that, we are not evaluating anymore than the surface reasons for their presence. Someone that remains in a sim league for their friend(s) is manufacturing a positive force in their life out of a situation that might seem, to a third-party, dull or mundane. Their presence , then, is essentially the equivalent of childhood friends sitting on the side of the road with nothing in particular to do, or anywhere to be, but they are nonetheless simply enjoying each others' company. And I think that this league is an excellent medium for something like that to occur. Though, that's not to say that is where its appeal ends.
A second crucial foundation of the league is, undoubtedly, the collective contribution of a massive number of people. There are over twenty-one-hundred individuals in this league. All, in some way, have contributed something, and, at the very least, have expressed some amount of interest in existing here alongside everybody else. Even those that never surpassed 50 total points earned, or made it to their update page; they were another few moments of dedication expressed by rookie mentors, or their recruiters. Truly, I think this gets lost amid the occasional drama, or competition, or, more often, both intertwined. I consider Infinite's incredible Ultimus preview video tonight; I consider the countless hours that timeconsumer spent testing the sim during the early and mid-life stages (relative to the league's current age) of the league, only to ensure a more enjoyable, balanced experience for everyone; I consider every difficult decision made by head office, or their time spent absorbing the dissatisfaction of league members with different opinions; I must consider every individual who has ever held some form of job, or contributed a single piece of media, or mingled in the discord server; there are so many ways in which so many people have contributed towards something greater than themselves (even if only for themselves), that it both astounds and mystifies me. And at this point, I have to assume that whoever has read this far (if anyone), is likely convinced I'm merely easily fascinated (which wouldn't be wrong), but I think if you take a moment to allow that child-like wonder to seep into your mind again, this is a phenomenon that would rightly impress anyone.
Finally, I must say, among the foundations critical to this league's existence, lies a sense of ambition that I imagine is closely connected to the sentiment that I attempted to convey above. Though, this ambition is constructed of a number of smaller parts, as well. One part justified selfishness, in wanting to see their player succeed, sometimes above all others, is a major driving force for some. I think one would be hard-pressed to deny that does not, in some way, offer its temptation to almost anyone. Further, there is the ambition present among general managers to stand out among the others as particularly successful. This is often accompanied by active locker rooms, playoff appearances, and Ultimus/Ultimini trophies. Much in the same fashion that players want to rise above the rest, there is that same constant battle of wills and strategy between general managers to do the same for their teams. In all of this competitive spirit, it can sometimes seem as if it is, in fact, a force that drives us apart, but I offer an alternative suggestion. The competitive spirit shared amongst the majority of us, allows it to exist in each of individually. Of course, we must recognize the fact of its existence is due to having others that are just as passionate, if not more so. So when we see loud-mouths going off at each other, perhaps instead of drama, we might instead view it as further fuel to the engine on which this league runs.
For the sake of the graders, as well as the points I hope to receive from this, I would like to ensure there's an understanding of how these all tie together into one thing. As I mentioned in my introduction, what I love most about this league is that in so many ways it brings together people of different cultures, ethnicities, and experiences into one powerful force that pushes toward a single goal that is far greater than the much smaller (but no less potent) goals that make it up.
To me, I think what strikes me as most significant when I consider this league, and all that it entails, is the absolute brilliance of the togetherness. Taking a moment to consider the niceties people have afforded myself, as well as many, many others is breath-taking. There is a real sense of working towards something greater than ourselves in this league, be it towards our team, or for the good of the league itself. Because, I mean, when it comes down to it, our league is based entirely on the foundation of only a few things, really.
First, there is (generally) the love of football. But even then, there are a number of people here who have no interest in the sport whatsoever outside of this league. So then, what draws them? Well, more than likely they already have some sort of "in," in the sense that they were either recruited, or simply enjoy simulation leagues. But considering that, we are not evaluating anymore than the surface reasons for their presence. Someone that remains in a sim league for their friend(s) is manufacturing a positive force in their life out of a situation that might seem, to a third-party, dull or mundane. Their presence , then, is essentially the equivalent of childhood friends sitting on the side of the road with nothing in particular to do, or anywhere to be, but they are nonetheless simply enjoying each others' company. And I think that this league is an excellent medium for something like that to occur. Though, that's not to say that is where its appeal ends.
A second crucial foundation of the league is, undoubtedly, the collective contribution of a massive number of people. There are over twenty-one-hundred individuals in this league. All, in some way, have contributed something, and, at the very least, have expressed some amount of interest in existing here alongside everybody else. Even those that never surpassed 50 total points earned, or made it to their update page; they were another few moments of dedication expressed by rookie mentors, or their recruiters. Truly, I think this gets lost amid the occasional drama, or competition, or, more often, both intertwined. I consider Infinite's incredible Ultimus preview video tonight; I consider the countless hours that timeconsumer spent testing the sim during the early and mid-life stages (relative to the league's current age) of the league, only to ensure a more enjoyable, balanced experience for everyone; I consider every difficult decision made by head office, or their time spent absorbing the dissatisfaction of league members with different opinions; I must consider every individual who has ever held some form of job, or contributed a single piece of media, or mingled in the discord server; there are so many ways in which so many people have contributed towards something greater than themselves (even if only for themselves), that it both astounds and mystifies me. And at this point, I have to assume that whoever has read this far (if anyone), is likely convinced I'm merely easily fascinated (which wouldn't be wrong), but I think if you take a moment to allow that child-like wonder to seep into your mind again, this is a phenomenon that would rightly impress anyone.
Finally, I must say, among the foundations critical to this league's existence, lies a sense of ambition that I imagine is closely connected to the sentiment that I attempted to convey above. Though, this ambition is constructed of a number of smaller parts, as well. One part justified selfishness, in wanting to see their player succeed, sometimes above all others, is a major driving force for some. I think one would be hard-pressed to deny that does not, in some way, offer its temptation to almost anyone. Further, there is the ambition present among general managers to stand out among the others as particularly successful. This is often accompanied by active locker rooms, playoff appearances, and Ultimus/Ultimini trophies. Much in the same fashion that players want to rise above the rest, there is that same constant battle of wills and strategy between general managers to do the same for their teams. In all of this competitive spirit, it can sometimes seem as if it is, in fact, a force that drives us apart, but I offer an alternative suggestion. The competitive spirit shared amongst the majority of us, allows it to exist in each of individually. Of course, we must recognize the fact of its existence is due to having others that are just as passionate, if not more so. So when we see loud-mouths going off at each other, perhaps instead of drama, we might instead view it as further fuel to the engine on which this league runs.
For the sake of the graders, as well as the points I hope to receive from this, I would like to ensure there's an understanding of how these all tie together into one thing. As I mentioned in my introduction, what I love most about this league is that in so many ways it brings together people of different cultures, ethnicities, and experiences into one powerful force that pushes toward a single goal that is far greater than the much smaller (but no less potent) goals that make it up.
