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Rather more interesting, I think, is how college football is a great way to divert people's tribalist instincts into harmless pasttimes.

In college football territory, a rich guy seeking to waste money might donate it to his favorite college football team. In other areas, if he wants to waste money crushing his tribal enemies, he will instead do politics.

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I dont know if I would say great way, though you could argue we need some sort of violent outlet.

Considering football is currently in the crosshairs due to the amount of brain injuries in the sport, after game riots, rampant disregard of educational practices and favoritism, etc. I dont know if I would say its a "harmless pasttime"

Compared to the alternative, where people promote actual war to satisfy their violent instincts, football injuries are pretty tame.

I think its a false dichotomy to say our choices are between football and war. Soccer fans seem to get just as crazy without their players getting brain damage.

edit: More crazy.

I think you haven't looked at all into brain injuries from soccer:

https://www.google.com/#q=soccer+brain+damage

Soccer fans get brain damage from mob movement and hooliganism tho.

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