Sport and Politics

[andrew70]

https://open.substack.com/pub/andrewjeffrey/p/sport-and-politics?r=2f20qe&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

A long read for a Saturday but a must after recent events with racism in Romania, war in Palestine and corruption around the world.

[SHODAN]

Would like to think Hibs as a support are a left-leaning club but honestly we're probably more apolitical.

[andrew70]

Would like to think Hibs as a support are a left-leaning club but honestly we're probably more apolitical.

would like to think so too but unfortunately and especially on twitter the experience is plenty of right leaning folk. Tommy Robinson, Farage, Trump lovers. How is it even possible?

[Stairway 2 7]

Hibs fans will be similar to the Scottish public, most will be centrists some left wing, some right but slightly weighted to the left. Will be good guys and racists and everything in between

[HarpOnHibee]

would like to think so too but unfortunately and especially on twitter the experience is plenty of right leaning folk. Tommy Robinson, Farage, Trump lovers. How is it even possible?

Twitter is flooded with bots that are programmed to do one thing and that is to spread political propaganda and exert influence over people. The AI has become so convincing now that people believe they're interacting with real people when they're not. Sadly more and more people have fallen victim to this and are now spreading that same propaganda themselves. The algorithms of the platform are also used to direct people towards people like those that you mention, while filtering out voices that challenge their narrative. We're very much in a war against disinformation funded by sociopathic billionaires.

[andrew70]

Twitter is flooded with bots that are programmed to do one thing and that is to spread political propaganda and exert influence over people. The AI has become so convincing now that people believe they're interacting with real people when they're not. Sadly more and more people have fallen victim to this and are now spreading that same propaganda themselves. The algorithms of the platform are also used to direct people towards people like those that you mention, while filtering out voices that challenge their narrative. We're very much in a war against disinformation funded by sociopathic billionaires.

Maybe so but a little bit of lateral thinking and you realise who is who.

It’s worrying how many of them there are.

[HarpOnHibee]

Maybe so but a little bit of lateral thinking and you realise who is who.

It’s worrying how many of them there are.

Yes but that isn't happening. People are not thinking laterally. They see the same post repeated thousands of times over by bots and those taken in by bots and it becomes "fact", then they're taken in as well. The internet used to be place where people could go online and find their own information on their own accord. Now it's a place where people are directed by algorithms towards the information that the creators of those algorithms want people to be directed towards. Those creators being people with a lot of money and a lot of self interest.

[Carheenlea]

I enjoy going to Easter Road - a break from work and some leisure time. The guys who sit either side of me, we don’t know each others names and have never felt it necessary to do so, and every home game we have a chat about the team and how we feel things might go. Occasional exchanges during games and we go our seperate ways at end until next time.

I know who they like and don’t like in our team, but I’ve no idea about their views on Trump, Brexit, the SNP, Starmer, Badenoch, Farage, Swinney or the Monarchy, and I’ve no interest in what those may be either.

I go to the football to escape from regular life for a few hours, and the common bond amongst the fans is Hibs. I’d rather it stayed that way.

[andrew70]

Yes but that isn't happening. People are not thinking laterally. They see the same post repeated thousands of times over by bots and those taken in by bots and it becomes "fact", then they're taken in as well. The internet used to be place where people could go online and find their own information on their own accord. Now it's a place where people are directed by algorithms towards the information that the creators of those algorithms want people to be directed towards. Those creators being people with a lot of money and a lot of self interest.

Too true.

It is a disgusting world.

[andrew70]

I enjoy going to Easter Road - a break from work and some leisure time. The guys who sit either side of me, we don’t know each others names and have never felt it necessary to do so, and every home game we have a chat about the team and how we feel things might go. Occasional exchanges during games and we go out seperate ways at end until next time.

I know who they like and don’t like in our team, but I’ve no idea about their views on Trump, Brexit, the SNP, Starmer, Badenoch, Farage, Swinney or the Monarchy, and I’ve no interest in why those may be either.

I go to the football to escape from regular life for a few hours, and the common bond amongst the fans is Hibs. I’d rather it stayed that way.

Fair.

[Eyrie]

I enjoy going to Easter Road - a break from work and some leisure time. The guys who sit either side of me, we don’t know each others names and have never felt it necessary to do so, and every home game we have a chat about the team and how we feel things might go. Occasional exchanges during games and we go our seperate ways at end until next time.

I know who they like and don’t like in our team, but I’ve no idea about their views on Trump, Brexit, the SNP, Starmer, Badenoch, Farage, Swinney or the Monarchy, and I’ve no interest in what those may be either.

I go to the football to escape from regular life for a few hours, and the common bond amongst the fans is Hibs. I’d rather it stayed that way.

Well said.

Politicians are quick to create division so let's stop it infecting other parts of our lives. We have more in common with those we disagree with than the politicians want us to recognise.

[monarch]

I enjoy going to Easter Road - a break from work and some leisure time. The guys who sit either side of me, we don’t know each others names and have never felt it necessary to do so, and every home game we have a chat about the team and how we feel things might go. Occasional exchanges during games and we go our seperate ways at end until next time.

I know who they like and don’t like in our team, but I’ve no idea about their views on Trump, Brexit, the SNP, Starmer, Badenoch, Farage, Swinney or the Monarchy, and I’ve no interest in what those may be either.

I go to the football to escape from regular life for a few hours, and the common bond amongst the fans is Hibs. I’d rather it stayed that way.
You enjoy going to Easter Road ? !!! These algorithms are more powerful than I thought :greengrin

Only joking, agree with you 100%.

[AngloHibs]

I enjoy going to Easter Road - a break from work and some leisure time. The guys who sit either side of me, we don’t know each others names and have never felt it necessary to do so, and every home game we have a chat about the team and how we feel things might go. Occasional exchanges during games and we go our seperate ways at end until next time.

I know who they like and don’t like in our team, but I’ve no idea about their views on Trump, Brexit, the SNP, Starmer, Badenoch, Farage, Swinney or the Monarchy, and I’ve no interest in what those may be either.

I go to the football to escape from regular life for a few hours, and the common bond amongst the fans is Hibs. I’d rather it stayed that way.
The most sense that I've read on here for ages.

[Cat Stanton]

would like to think so too but unfortunately and especially on twitter the experience is plenty of right leaning folk. Tommy Robinson, Farage, Trump lovers. How is it even possible?

I have zero idea of what the political make-up of the Hibs support is, but I would guess it's fairly similar to the national profile. However, I do know that what you see on Twitter is absolutely not representative of anything (apart from maybe angry, shouty people). So I wouldn't read too much into that.

[gbhibby]

We are all members of the depressed party at this moment in time.

[He's here!]

I have zero idea of what the political make-up of the Hibs support is, but I would guess it's fairly similar to the national profile. However, I do know that what you see on Twitter is absolutely not representative of anything (apart from maybe angry, shouty people). So I wouldn't read too much into that.

Twitter/X strikes me a place where people go when they're hell bent on trying to make everyone think the same way as them. When that doesn't happen they make a big deal about why they're leaving (throwing in words like toxic and sewer) before flouncing off in a huff. Kind of reflects social media in general where folk surround themselves with their own little tribes.

[HarpOnHibee]

I have zero idea of what the political make-up of the Hibs support is, but I would guess it's fairly similar to the national profile. However, I do know that what you see on Twitter is absolutely not representative of anything (apart from maybe angry, shouty people). So I wouldn't read too much into that.

I'd like to believe that to be true, but I don't. Social media is having a major impact on the political landscape. It brings out the worst in people and even although many may suppress the views they express on social media in real life situations, that doesn't apply at the ballot box. Social media is playing a significant role in the political destabilization that's been increasingly growing over the past decade or so.

[Rick Rude]

To be honest, I find it rather weird when supporters of a team all have the same political views. Makes me wonder if your political views are shaped by the team you support rather than by your own beliefs as usually your football team is 'picked' before you have any interest in politics.

[K-Zazu]

Twitter is flooded with bots that are programmed to do one thing and that is to spread political propaganda and exert influence over people. The AI has become so convincing now that people believe they're interacting with real people when they're not. Sadly more and more people have fallen victim to this and are now spreading that same propaganda themselves. The algorithms of the platform are also used to direct people towards people like those that you mention, while filtering out voices that challenge their narrative. We're very much in a war against disinformation funded by sociopathic billionaires.

What political propaganda? I just have lots of football and darts videos on my feed?

[Carheenlea]

To be honest, I find it rather weird when supporters of a team all have the same political views. Makes me wonder if your political views are shaped by the team you support rather than by your own beliefs as usually your football team is 'picked' before you have any interest in politics.

Rangers are a great example of this.

A support whose political views are aligned out of a sense of obligation to what is seen as an extension of your commitment to Rangers rather than by forging your own personal opinions.

How many Rangers fans did you know who posted mournful pictures in tribute of Queen Elizabeth on her passing? How many posted “Lest we Forget” poppy or war images last week for Remembrance Day? How many who have no connection whatsoever to Ireland, and have probably never even set foot in the country, post stuff about the 12th July and adopt a pro-Ulster loyalist stance?

How many are genuinely supporters of the Monarchy for example? It’s just so hard to take seriously and it’s just done as a “Rangers” thing. Same goes for the pro military stance of recent years. How many do you know who staunchly defend the protestant faith but never actually set foot in a church to practice their said faith? Is simple posturing.

Social media has certainly contributed to ramping things up in this regard. It’s now given many a platform to proclaim “this is how big a fan I am of club X, Y or Z”

[Since452]

Thought this was a thread about the old firm

[Hibrandenburg]

Thought this was a thread about the old firm

Give it time.

[Keith_M]

Would like to think Hibs as a support are a left-leaning club but honestly we're probably more apolitical.


I would consider myself 'left leaning', but that's probably because of my dodgy hip.

[hibee-boys]

I enjoy going to Easter Road - a break from work and some leisure time. The guys who sit either side of me, we don’t know each others names and have never felt it necessary to do so, and every home game we have a chat about the team and how we feel things might go. Occasional exchanges during games and we go our seperate ways at end until next time.

I know who they like and don’t like in our team, but I’ve no idea about their views on Trump, Brexit, the SNP, Starmer, Badenoch, Farage, Swinney or the Monarchy, and I’ve no interest in what those may be either.

I go to the football to escape from regular life for a few hours, and the common bond amongst the fans is Hibs. I’d rather it stayed that way.

100% this. Wouldn’t have a clue about the political persuasion of guys that sit around us, and wouldn’t care.

[StirlingHibee]

would like to think so too but unfortunately and especially on twitter the experience is plenty of right leaning folk. Tommy Robinson, Farage, Trump lovers. How is it even possible?


It's possible because Hibs are an open and inclusive club who welcome anybody who has a common connection in being a Hibee. Other than that nothing else should really matter. Our club's supporters are made up of left leaning, right leaning, unionists, pro-independence, multiple faiths etc but we leave that all behind when we get together to follow our team. Hibs is a club for everybody whatever your persuasions may be in life!

[The Spaceman]

Personally hate any form of politics being mixed into football.

It’s 22 players on the park trying to kick a ball into a net - leave us to enjoy it without pressing your external agendas.

For example, I hate Block 7s continued anti-royal songs - has **** all to do with Hibernian Football Club.

[stalbanshibby]

It's possible because Hibs are an open and inclusive club who welcome anybody who has a common connection in being a Hibee. Other than that nothing else should really matter. Our club's supporters are made up of left leaning, right leaning, unionists, pro-independence, multiple faiths etc but we leave that all behind when we get together to follow our team. Hibs is a club for everybody whatever your persuasions may be in life!

Especially if you're not bothered about the quality of football. I'm agreeing with you.

[matty_f]

I think it's a difficult one - on the one hand clubs and fans can come together on important issues and can be seen as a force for good, on the other hand it's perfectly acceptable to have differing political views amongst the support and that's not necessarily a bad thing, and one group believing themselves to be the voice of the support can alienate people. I think there is a place for politics, but I do think folk need to be mindful that they might be championing a cause that others within the support fundamentally disagree with.

[Keith_M]

I think it's a difficult one - on the one hand clubs and fans can come together on important issues and can be seen as a force for good, on the other hand it's perfectly acceptable to have differing political views amongst the support and that's not necessarily a bad thing, and one group believing themselves to be the voice of the support can alienate people. I think there is a place for politics, but I do think folk need to be mindful that they might be championing a cause that others within the support fundamentally disagree with.


Agree with all of this, and would add that an extra problem is that people may also have differing views in what is and is not political.

[Hibrandenburg]

I've come across Hibbies of all political and religious persuasion. If you go back 40 years then most fans of most Scottish clubs would have been working class and therefore left of centre, however there's been a huge shift in society in that the working class no longer identify solely with socialist parties. The shift has been so dramatic that I'm not sure working class is a suitable title for the UK's 3rd class anymore or if the traditionally socialist parties are still socialist. The world has become a confusing place for old men :greengrin

[Dashing Bob S]

Politics in football holds no great interest to me. When I go for a drink with friends before or after the game, a wide range of views are expressed but as those are face-to-face, they are always exchanged respectfully, with people genuinely receptive to the ideas of others, unless its just hate-filled nonsense.

However on the internet and social media, no such human constraints apply, and I fail to see any point in engaging with robots or anonymous incels/racists or social inadequates, who are intellectually challenged to the point that all they can do is regurgitate the headlines written by billionaire absentee media owners or conspiracy sites from Go Fund Me grifters.

Not only do such people not want to/don't have the intellectual capacity to meaningfully engage, they don't even wish to convert anyone to their stupidity. They just want to shriek at each other, like the hysterical teenage girls who scream at boy bands.

If it's not happening in the real world, it's not happening is the way I see it.

[JimBHibees]

Politics in football holds no great interest to me. When I go for a drink with friends before or after the game, a wide range of views are expressed but as those are face-to-face, they are always exchanged respectfully, with people genuinely receptive to the ideas of others, unless its just hate-filled nonsense.

However on the internet and social media, no such human constraints apply, and I fail to see any point in engaging with robots or anonymous incels/racists or social inadequates, who are intellectually challenged to the point that all they can do is regurgitate the headlines written by billionaire absentee media owners or conspiracy sites from Go Fund Me grifters.

Not only do such people not want to/don't have the intellectual capacity to meaningfully engage, they don't even wish to convert anyone to their stupidity. They just want to shriek at each other, like the hysterical teenage girls who scream at boy bands.

If it's not happening in the real world, it's not happening is the way I see it.

Pretty much sums it up. Great summary :aok:

[expresso]

Politics played a huge part in the creation of Hibs.

[matty_f]

Politics played a huge part in the creation of Hibs.

It did, that was just about 150 years ago though.

[expresso]

It did, that was just about 150 years ago though.

We’re still getting screwed by the authorities though 150 years on.