Most important un-important thing

[El Duderino 879]

While listening to a podcast, I heard one of the men on the pod say that Football (soccer) is the most important un-important thing in the world. He had some good reasons. It's just a sport, but it brings people together in a way other things can't.

This got me thinking. From your point of view, what do you think is the most important un-important thing in the world and why?

[Dark Horse 12,961]

Interesting topic & I'd certainly agree with those views on Football. I've never quite understood the level of passion and seriousness that goes into it, but it can't be denied.

 

I think a good example here, and you can debate me on it if you'd like: Video Games. They've exploded in popularity in the last 20 years, outstripped both Music and Film industries in profitability & are a major scene on the World Wide Web as a whole. Entire tournaments with huge prize pools are a common occurrence, with some gamers devoting their entire livelihood purely on aiming for the grand prize, spending days on end just playing, training for the next tournament.

 

It's pretty big news whenever new technology is announced. E3 is one of the biggest media events of the year, and the internet often goes abuzz for the next few days about what was announced, what looked good or bad, as well as heated debates that have become all too commonplace as gamers stand with their favorite developers.

 

Bottom line, video games have a big place among primarily younger people all around the world.

 

That being said, that's really all they are. Games. Killing other players on the latest CoD or exploring a vast and detailed world finding adventure in something like Skyrim doesn't really contribute to the benefit of society as a whole or really your own personal life. As powerful or experienced you may become in a game, it's not necessarily going to better your real life or indeed society as a whole. Only in rare circumstances have I heard of such, and it's not something that will happen for your average gamer. Even for tournament level players, the prize only comes if you win the event, and you have to ask yourself is it really worth all those hours of repetitively playing the same game over and over in an attempt to grasp fortune? At what point does it become less about fun and more just a chore?

 

Let me just make it very clear that I love gaming. Without video games I don't really think I'd be the guy I am today. They provide above all else: Escapism. They help many millions around the world step away from the burdens of real life and simply let them vent their emotions in any number of ways, and are of course a great way to spend the time with friends, even perhaps make some new ones. But are they really all that important? Would civilization cease to function if they were to just disappear? Would we really have no other ways of spending leisure time? Keep in mind they're still only a relatively recent invention.

 

So yes, I see them a very important un-important thing in life.

[碇 シンジン 27,431]

Life itself as in the long run the life isn't really that important at all but it can be a significant help if you do it right

[smk.png 181]

The most important unimportant thing.. I don't really know.

[TBD 17,254]

I agreed with @Hanekawa Tsubasa, we tends to take life for gratitude.  

[Dreambiscuit 9,818]

This is really an interesting question. And it's hard to say what unimportant things is important without diminishing something that has personal meaning. For me, art, toys and movies are important. Art civilizes the world and elevates humanity above the animals and insects. Toys develop the mind and creativity while providing fun and entertainment. Movies also stimulate the mind and broaden the scope of day to day thinking and imagination. When we think outside the box, the world and all its possibilities come closer to being within our grasp. One can't step forward until one knows what one is searching for. Movies help us define that search. 

Edited April 6, 2018 by Dreambiscuit