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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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Prof. of Cultural Literacy
Points: 4469
PowerGranger says:
I think Quiddich is pretty ingenius, though I don't think there is a need to argue with this article since it's probably not meant to be taken seriously. I like that the snitch is worth so many points. It's supposed to be very hard to catch, of course. That said, I always thought it was kind of weird that it had to be caught to end the game. If it's theoretically that hard to catch (for anyone but Harry, that is!), I imagine there would be a fair few games that went on for hours and hours until the snitch was caught. That's just how I (the most non-athletic person ever) see it.
Posted Apr 26, 2006 at 11:11 PM EST
Witch
Points: 795
Emma Look Alike says:
This is ridiculous!! Its a made up game, its not real, and someone must have been awfully bored to do that. They probably just didn't have anything else to write about.
Posted Apr 26, 2006 at 11:12 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1380
Chadick says:
As a Harry Potter fan, I would have to say NO!!!! If it was possibly possible to play this game, I would definitely try it even though I'm acrophobic. I would really really love to try it, I swear! Quidditch sounds more interesting than basketball to me, more exciting than just shooting balls eh?
Posted Apr 26, 2006 at 11:13 PM EST
Gryffindor's Dark Lord
Points: 4430
Quidditch2008 says:
Quidditch is the most fun, albeit brutal game to play, Muggle or Wizarding world. The 150 points does seem a little high, though.
Posted Apr 26, 2006 at 11:13 PM EST
Student
Points: 276
Meka_92 says:
This guy is stupid! he could not mak eup this amazing sport so he is just bashing it becasuse he is totally jealous of J.K's talent! he should use his bashing skills on something that is actually bad
Posted Apr 26, 2006 at 11:23 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1280
MRC says:
When that guy makes up a better sport than Quidditch, THEN he can talk. Otherwise, he needs to just appreciate the magic.
Posted Apr 26, 2006 at 11:27 PM EST
True Weasley
Points: 5528
~GinnyWeasley~ says:
Ok who ever wrote that about Quidditch is mental... I'd like to see them come up with a better game... they are just jealous :P I tihnk its the best game ever!! ANd i think the 150 points is fine... You can still win even if u dont get the snitch... you just have to be able to play the game well....
Posted Apr 26, 2006 at 11:31 PM EST
Student
Points: 243
Muggle81 says:
All i have to say isssssssssss.....
QUIDDITCH RULES!!!!!!!!!! ;-)
Posted Apr 26, 2006 at 11:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 701
Kelly Ann Snape says:
I love Quidditch... it is different and very creative... people love to criticize what they don't understand.
Posted Apr 26, 2006 at 11:33 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1717
courty says:
Apparently this guy doen't appreciate how difficult the snitch is to catch. It should be worth 150 points just because it's much more difficult to catch than to score a goal (there are 3 goal posts) with the quaffle.
Posted Apr 26, 2006 at 11:33 PM EST
The Keeper of Time
Points: 2604
krisie says:
I love quidditch, If I could play it I would. I think it is a lot better than most real sports. I would never consider it to be the worst fake sport ever.
Posted Apr 26, 2006 at 11:39 PM EST
Emma's Darkest Secret
Points: 4610
Firestrike212 says:
how could you say that??? Quidditch is the best. Its so cool. JKR you RULE!!!
Posted Apr 26, 2006 at 11:46 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1122
PhoenixPatronus2 says:
It's no worse than any other sport. *ducks* : ) Actually I kind of find the Quidditch games boring when I read the books, but if it were a real game compelete with flying broomsticks I'd prolly enjoy playing it. Oh well, it's always fun seeing how different people perceive things.
Posted Apr 26, 2006 at 11:50 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 49
surferchick2555 says:
I think that Quiddich is a cool game
I would like to play it.
Posted Apr 26, 2006 at 11:58 PM EST
Custodian of Miracles
Points: 3264
MadamDumbledore says:
I can't say that I'm a great fan of the game. I love the fact that Harry is a fantastic seeker and that he has won matches for his House. But as for reading actual game play, it kinda leaves me a bit cold.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:01 AM EST
Silly Squib
Points: 3741
Mat Madcat says:
It's no worse than any other sport. *ducks*
Well said! -ducks the flying objects- Ok, how about curling for a sport or "fake" sport as i like to call it;)
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:01 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1237
HeadmistressMcGonagall says:
Quiddich is only one of the greatest fake sports ever! My school has a team. (you think I'm kidding...we have practices.)
I'd play Quiddich anytime!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:04 AM EST
Dumbledore's Muse
Points: 2959
Alchemical Auror says:
I think that quiddich is an interesting game and he does have some valid points, but to me that doesn't matter. I love the game - I am the best beater in my league
**flexes muscles**
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:05 AM EST
Dark Mark Caster
Points: 7648
FireboltFlyr says:
*laughs*
Was that supposed to make sense and make fun of Quidditch? Becuz that didn't make any sense to me...People always have to make fun of and bash things they don't understand, and Quidditch is the easiest sport to pick up. How cool would it be to fly around on a broom, scoring points with the quaffle, hiting bludgers at unsuspecting players, and fighting for the golden snitch....I think it's the greatest fake sport ever, and I hope one day people will be smart enough to actually make the sport real.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:13 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1248
Ivay says:
I don't know why he is attacking the game when the point of the Harry potter books aren't even aimed at Quidditch..maybe he has a point but who cares..it's not as if it's a real game its FICTIONAL
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:23 AM EST
Points: 158
Halfblood07 says:
I dont think that the game is pointless!!! Hey the snitch is worth a lot but look at the books! you can still lose the game even though you get the snitch that much is true. Look at book five where ginny caught it and they lost anyway. I find the game exciting and look forward to quidditch scenes in all the movies! Anyone else agree???
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:23 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2351
Skitch says:
Heehee, I think its pretty funny that a sports writer would really take the time to bash a made up sport in a fantasy story. This guy had way too much time on his hands. Let's take a moment and pull his head out of his butt. ITS A FAKE SPORT. Get over the continuity of the rules, Mister.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:29 AM EST
Witch
Points: 932
ProngsForLily says:
How weird and stupid! Go Quidditch!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:30 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1918
not*so*sweet*strawberry says:
What in the world? How can Quidditch be called a bad sport? It's the best fake sport every made! I must of took JK ages to think it up!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:30 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1448
Wulfric_Brian says:
I love quidditch. I don't care what anybody else says. It doesn't matter how absurd the rules are as long as it stays fun and exciting, and the fact that Harry is the seeker makes it so. The purpose of the book is to entertain, not be completely realistic. Come on people, if JKR was concered about that, she wouldn't be writing about wizards.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:35 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1181
ImmortalSoul says:
That is by far, the stupidest thing I have ever read.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 12:44 AM EST
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