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APRIL 26, 2006 at 10:32 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: The Guardian
In an odd column complaining about football commentary in the UK, the author asks the question "Is quidditch the worst fake sport ever?"
While watching the latest Harry Potter movie, the author questions the rules of the game; its popularity in the wizarding world and sportsmanship.
The author equates
quidditch to basketball and the worthlessness of the game:
Running simultaneously are: a version of basketball, where players are required to punt a ball called a quaffle through various hoops; a perversion of the kind of bodyline swingball favoured by hyperactive 10-year-old boys, where the aim is simply to whack one of two balls called bludgers at your opponent; and the search for a tiny flying ball called the Golden Snitch, which must be captured for the game to end, and is worth an instant and wildly disproportionate 150 points.
So to clarify, I am required to keep my eye not simply on three balls at any one time, but also on a winged snitch (which is virtually invisible to anyone in the crowd anyway), the capture of which almost without exception renders the preceding however many minutes or hours entirely worthless.
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LV Most Loyal DE
Points: 11454
Sinjin Of Montecore says:
Well lets just say this person needs to leave Quiddich alone..........
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 7:20 PM EST
Ravenclaw Ambassador
Points: 3243
Nevar says:
Talk about a worthless git...I mean, there are far worse made-up games out there. Take A Separate Peace, for example-Blitzball? Totally worthless.
I'll agree with the guy about basketball-no point whatsoever.
N
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 7:26 PM EST
The Quibbler Poet
Points: 7054
.:Wicked T:. says:
Great thats just nice QuiddicH is an awesome and maybe it may be fake but its better than any sport out there!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 7:38 PM EST
Professor of Astronomy
Points: 3288
Prof Aurora Sinistra says:
Well, in my opinion, to anyone with half a brain cell of imagination, Quidditch is quite imaginative and a fun game. Can you imagine, actually being able to be on a flying broomstick?? Granted the physics of it are impossible, but imagining it makes it all worth the while. As is seen in the Quidditch World Cup match, the Snitch is worth just the right amount of points. So that both teams equally have the chance of wining with 150 points. Ah, humbug, those with no imagination bash things they will never understand.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 7:38 PM EST
Witch
Points: 845
hermione624 says:
i like Quiddich, it's an awesome sport, i wish that i could play it!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 7:40 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 57
Cho_Seeker4Ravenclaw says:
That's just stupid..who hates Quidditch??
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 7:41 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 469
Lily Evans/Potter says:
I think that it's a sad thing not to have imagination! I think people without imagination live sad lives! Even if you are 95 (and up) you are still a child inside! I also believe that you live a more happy life! Quidditch is a really cool game and that author lives a very sad life!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 7:54 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 1
Prof McGonagall says:
Interesting article, although I disagree. The Snitch being worth so many points would only makes the rest of play worthless if the typical game was relatively short... But there are games in HP where each side has over 300 or 400 points. In such a case, an 150 bonus makes a huge difference, but is surely not enough to render play meaningless...
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 8:01 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 482
mrsharrypotter4500 says:
WHAT! There is nothing i would love yo do more than jmp on my broom stick and feel the wind in my hair and catch the snick for Gryfindor! It is not a pointless game!! It looks like a lot of fun. Every time I see a movie I get jellious because I can't play!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 8:02 PM EST
Singularly Gifted Witch
Points: 5157
Medea says:
The Snitch being worth so many points would only makes the rest of play worthless if the typical game was relatively short
Yes although there have been longer games, it seems most of the games described in the books don't get to that point where it's relevant. So in that respect I don't find quidditch particularly well thought out either.
But how does this author equate it to basketball? There's nothing disproportionate about that.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 8:15 PM EST
Squib
Points: 157
KPotter says:
This is so stupid people hate harry potter and will do anything to bring it down they even go as to complain that Quidditch is the worst sport ever please that is so lame!!People just need to leave the book alone and stop complaining i dont think i have ever heard so many people complain about one book that so many people dont seem to have a problem with it!!!Leave your comment about the book to yourself!!Unless they are good!!!
-I love DAN!!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 8:21 PM EST
Witch
Points: 566
lupinsgal24 says:
Hard to believe he wrote all that about a sport that doesn't even exist! I do enjoy watching it in the movies.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 8:21 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1384
Mrs.Oddment-Tweak says:
I can't see why anybody would bash Quidditch.
I love it! Wouldn't it be great if you could play Quidditch? That would be fun.. if it were actually real though, i mean.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 8:27 PM EST
Dancing in the Rain
Points: 3118
~*harry's girl*~ says:
*bites tongue really hard* family site...
Quidditch...is awesome. They had no right to insult it. Seriously. I would chew my arm off if they could think of anything better.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 8:28 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 307
Harry's Echo says:
Next to hockey, Quidditch if it was real, would be my favorite sport to watch. It may be "fake", but it's fast, exciting and I am proud and amazed of JKR for thinking it up. Critics of anything Harry Potter are so silly, sure HP may not be for everyone, but live and let live. If you don't like watching Harry Potter, or Quidditch, then WHY ARE YOU???
Go Flames GO!!
Kiprusoff Rocks!!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 8:35 PM EST
Witch
Points: 699
Mrs.Draco.Malfoy says:
Seriously, this person must be bored with their own life, because who would even take the time to rag on a perfectly good/ creative game, if they don't like it, dont read or watch the movies, it's that simple, like they're going to change potter fans' minds anyway.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 8:40 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 469
Lily Evans/Potter says:
What makes me mad is that people who haven't even read the books put them down!! It's like someone saying they don't like a certin food but they have never tasted it. Then when they do taste it they say it's good!!! People like that make me mad!!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 8:44 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1000
suicidal_angel says:
this is So pointless!
For God's sake, it's a FICTIONAL game!!!!
This guy must've either been REALLY bored, or had nothing to write, so he thought this stupidity would save his arse.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 8:45 PM EST
Witch
Points: 605
berries&cream says:
Quidditch rocks! I love Quidditch!!!!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 8:46 PM EST
Witch
Points: 613
Nymaphadora says:
quiddithch rocks! How can they say that? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Makes me sooooo mad.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 8:50 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 377
Michelle&Felicis:) says:
heeeeeeeyy!!!
quidditch is great! there's no point arguing about it, it's FICTION, gosh man, get another job or something!
whatever... everynone knows jk is the queen
tata
*emmaRocks*
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 8:53 PM EST
Squib
Points: 101
phoenix_gurl says:
Ah... no way!! How could anyone say Quidditch is terrible?? They are insane, and most clearly do NOT understand the basics of the game. Also, he should read "Quidditch Through the Ages" to see why the game is that way, and why calling the 150 points awarded by catching the snitch "wildly disproportionate" is just not right. First get the facts right, the ncriticize all you like.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 9:04 PM EST
Squib
Points: 122
harryhimself says:
Whoooo cares. it's meant for the imagination. why are people overanalyzing this? just let it be.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 9:06 PM EST
Student
Points: 271
Germz says:
I think quiddich is cool, and it would be awesome to actually fly on broomsticks and throw vicious balls around.....anyway.....
-Germz
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 9:06 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 469
Lily Evans/Potter says:
My question is: why do people like to bash other peoples imagination?! Quidditch is the best thought of game there is!!! Tell me who wouldn't want to fly on a broom or go to Hogwarts?!
All I have to say is the author doesn't need to keep his/her day job*!
*his day job is writing, just for those who don't know what the heck I'm saying :)
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 9:11 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 406
GinnyPotter6 says:
Ok... I really have no comments cause I know that if I start writting i'll end up insulting that man... And well, it's not the idea, right??
Anyway... I love quidditch! I really doooo! And I really don't need everyone to like it... i'm happy liking it by my self! =)
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 9:14 PM EST
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