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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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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
Witch
Points: 870
caraMEL_penguin says:
What IS this guys problem... he's just Jealous that he didn't think of the game... *heehee* but serriously... how can you not love Quidditch... I mean COME ON... your in a MAGICAL world and the game needs to be MAGICAL... why not make the game fun and chaotic and confuzing... I mean after all there is nothing simple about magic... <333 I wouldn't worry too much about this guy... he's just another one of thoes people who love to put down a good thing... <333 I personally LOVE Quidditch and If it was really... I would love to play it and watch it!!! <333
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 1:03 AM EST
Witch
Points: 754
Griselda Marchbanks says:
How can he question the popularity of Quidditch when in the wizarding world Quidditch has got to be really popular because it seems to be their only "national" sport. You don't hear about any other sports. As to whether it is the worst fake sport, well it isn't. The main aim of this game is the same as any other real sport to win by getting lots of points. No matter how pointless the method, be it kicking the ball into a net or hitting a ball with a stick.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 1:03 AM EST
Points: 8027
deemz says:
Quidditch is not the worst fake sport ever!! it's the best! and i love it!! plus, it's reallY cool, but they sort of have a point....
Love,
Deema,
xxxxxxx.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 1:10 AM EST
Witch
Points: 893
Divadancer4life says:
I wonder if he has ever read HP then he might get it! but i like it and so do most other people
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 1:25 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 94
RedDot says:
Another sick pervert that tries to get J.K. Rowling to the ground! It's totally not fair...
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 1:26 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2855
HarriPotter says:
He's just bitter because he can't fly on a broomstick. If you're jealous of an author have the balls to admit or just shut up. I don't see this guy making a queen's ransom...why? NO FREAKING IMAGINATION!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 1:39 AM EST
Squib
Points: 132
funkymunky says:
He shouldn't bash quidditch. Maybe it's just because it doesn't exist in real life and he thinks it won't offend anyone? Oh well, it's quite silly really.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 1:42 AM EST
Witch
Points: 504
Livian Silver says:
This guy is full of himself. It seems to me that he has absolutely no understanding of the game whatsover. If he watched the first movie, then he would have some idea, but no, I guess that is too much for his little mind. Maybe he had nothing to report on so he just had to bag something that was popular to bring attention to himself.
And as has been said before, you can catch the snitch and still lose the match, it all depends on how many times you score with the quaffle. I think the scoring system is quite fine. And what I have to say about the bludgers - you are moving in air, not on a flat playing field, so it's not like you couldn't just dodge one.
I think Quidditch is the best fictional sport there is. And I'll be waiting for the day that I can buy my own broom in a department or specialty store (come on scientists!!! if you can conceive a hoverboard for back to the future, you can surely make a broom that flies!) and play it the same way its played in the HP universe.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 1:43 AM EST
Student
Points: 249
Resha_Valentine says:
Quidditch is the best sport ever. I almost wish that it is not just a fake sport or I'll be a loyal Viktor Krum fan! Hohohoho! I love being a chaser.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 1:54 AM EST
Witch
Points: 983
Weasleyismyking!/R/Hrfrv says:
Are you kidding Quidditch is the best fake sport ever!!! This guy is just a sucker seeking attention.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 1:59 AM EST
Squib
Points: 131
choco523 says:
I disagree with the statement that the snitch is worth too much. Most of the time, by the time it is caught, there are enough points to where 150 is not a HUGE amount. And it doesn't really sound like this guy has ever read the books-no player has to keep an eye on all four balls at once. The seeker takes care of the snitch, the beaters and keepers the quaffle, and all of those people do have to watch out for quaffles, but not as intently as their ball because the beaters beat them away. All the others have to do is dodge it when it comes toward them.
But having said all that-who cares?! The point of Harry Potter is not Quidditch. JK develops her stories so well in every other sense, I don't consider it a huge crime that there may be some implausibilities (if that's a word)in Quidditch.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 1:59 AM EST
The Warrior Sorceress
Points: 3333
Devilish Katlyn says:
Oh, for cryin' out loud! It's a GAME! And it's not real, so why is he worrying about sitting thru a match and not being able to see the snitch? Most of us would be more interested in the flying anyway...
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 2:08 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 436
Mugglemagics says:
It's only in our imaginations and in a STORY...and besides, when does anything in harry potter make sense...why does he say that the quaffles are pointless because i mean, i think that the quaffles are very important even if they aren't as important as the snitch.
Also, the snitch DESERVES to be worth more points ... i mean, it's soo difficult to catch, the seeker needs some form of reward...
i don't know what all this fuss is all about..
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 2:14 AM EST
Student
Points: 277
becs_weasley_always says:
I love Quidditch, they dont no what they are talking about!!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 2:25 AM EST
Kathe Mera Kalimera
Points: 7720
dominor says:
Seems like this is going to be my last post here..The net company messed it up,instead of shutting my dsl down,we have no phone!!Huhu!!Anyway...
In my opinion Quidditch is one of the best sportsin the world..I really like it,and it has nothing to do with Harry Potter..
I think he's lost it..
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 2:28 AM EST
Student
Points: 296
nymph_tonks says:
The guy OBVIOUSLY doesn't understand the game. One player alone does not have to watch all four balls, in fact, the only players who have to watch even three are the chasers, and that's it! Everyone else only has to watch to or one, and that's really not that unbelievable.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 2:29 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1500
krystle_clear says:
OK, Wat An Idiot! if Quidditch was real, im sure everyone would be wanting to play it, including this guy, maybe he should stop being stupid and learn to have an imagination, or maybe his perants were like the dursleys and he wasnt allowed to have one. and another thing, if he thinks its the worst sport and its so bad and everything, why is he wasting his breath talking about it.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 2:52 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 480
sneha_luvs_ron says:
I love quiddich!!!!!
LOVE U RON
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 3:08 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 582
nimbusceo says:
I think that underwater basketweaving really is the worst fictional sport. Though on the best fake sport list Quidditch comes really close to snipe hunting (unless you live anywhere near a marsh that actually has snipes). For those of you who don't know what snipe hunting is, Google it.
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 3:09 AM EST
Student
Points: 255
half*blood*princess says:
I totally disagree with that! I find that it was very imaginable and creative! I don't exactly see anyone else make up any fake sports! Its nor supposed to sound logical- hello it's magic!!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 3:10 AM EST
Witch
Points: 686
StormbreakerGirl says:
That is so mean! Quidditch is very creative! How dare they say that! Jk Rowling is very creative and Quidditch would be so fun to play!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 3:14 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2256
Harry Houdini says:
Marina Hyde the writter of the story has issues. How about a tissue? You can't expect every muggle to enjoy it or understand it. Oh well! :)
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 3:17 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 396
EbonyIvory says:
I think whon ever wrote that needs to get his or hers head checked and is just bagging JK's genious because they are jealous and need to find something bad about her wonderful talent! Quiddich is competitive, exciting, gut wrenching great ot read and whach... all the nessessary things to be a great sport. (and for all of you Footy Show Reg Reagan fans) "BRING BACK THE BIFF"
And anyway we all need to remember that quiddich is just a made up sport! (even though it is genious!!)
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 3:20 AM EST
Witch
Points: 780
Jess the potter fan says:
Maybe he should read the books before making a judgement! this guy doesnt know what he's talking about!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 3:28 AM EST
Student
Points: 294
lilly618 says:
Totally don't understand why he said it!!!Quidditch is wonderful!!!I think this guy is just jealous because he can't flay with broomstck!!!
I love Quidditch!!!!
Posted Apr 27, 2006 at 3:36 AM EST
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