Vigo 8/31 Blog Post-Julia Duchossois

In Technology, Culture, and the World Cup, Vigo argues that the way we represent ourselves technologically affects the way we see ourselves, and further that rapid advancement of the technology we use can lead to many individualistic aspects of our culture being negatively altered.

To back his claim, Vigo uses an analogy of FIFA soccer. Vigo explains that in a 1986 World Cup game between Argentina and England, Argentina athlete Maradona made an illegal play with his hand, which went unnoticed by the referee due to the celebration Maradona and his teammates conducted, and went down in history as one of the most controversial goals in the sport. Because of the narrative Maradona went with surrounding the goal (not the photos of the play which clearly revealed the illegal play), the masses chose to see a legal legal header. As a result, the Argentenians saw this play as more than just a goal, but rather a statement against the injustice the country had historically faced at the hands of the British, and the goal became a cultural statement. Vigo explains that with current technology, plays like this are caught easily, and much of FIFA game watching consists not of game play but if referees taking time to make decisions about plays. Vigo’s argument in this regard is that if technology continues to completely neutralize these plays, the sport of soccer (and other aspects of life) will lose its cultural implications. Vigo even describes watching soccer today as “boring” and warns readers that soon, other aspects of society that hold great cultural value may also change as a result of over-enforcing technology.

After reading the paper, I see Vigo’s argument as valid in the broad sense that technology can take away individualistic or cultural aspects of many things we interact with on the daily; technology and AI often can act as a neutralizer in situations like these. However, in the sense of sports, I can also understand the importance of monitoring and recording in order to ensure safe, fair game play, especially for people who place great value or make careers out of a sport. Overall, I understand and validate Vigo’s general point that technology is changing the way we represent and think about aspects of ourselves and our societies, and I am interested in the implications neutralizing technology may have on sectors of culture outside of the entertainment industry.

5 thoughts on “Vigo 8/31 Blog Post-Julia Duchossois

  1. While reading Vigo’s work, I came to better understand the implications that technology can have on a society’s cultural identity. However, after reading your post I definitely agree with you that even though the technology we have now is lessening the cultural aspects of soccer, the technology that Vigo criticizes is also beneficial to how the game is played and the importance of upholding a its fairness. While technology does have its negative impacts, it’s also important to recognize the growth and improvement it has contributed to society.

  2. I completely agree with your views on Vigo’s belief that technology is altering the way we represent and think about ourselves and our societies. Technology is a double-edged sword where it helps us in aspects that are necessary like monitoring the safety and fairness of the game. However, at the same time, it’s starting to influence the game and the way that we watch because there’s rarely any excitement like Maradona’s goal. I think it’s hard for referees to go against VAR or the technology in place because so many spectators value accuracy and fairness. But, spectators also value the excitement and controversy of sports games because that’s what makes history and provides us with extraordinary stories or experiences.

  3. While I believe that the advancement of technology in society has many benefits, I agree with Vigo in that it has the potential to do harm culturally– or in this example, the cultural aspects of a soccer game. When society holds strong values in having strict rules, it can be hard to fully embrace the normal faults and flaws present. However, I also agree with you in that in certain ways this more developed technology is sometimes necessary to, for instance, uphold the fairness of the sports we play. I find it hard to hold a strict stance on how I feel about technology in these terms. It has its benefits, but as Vigo points out, it also has its consequences.

  4. I find it interesting that you bring up this idea of technology being used to monitor fair game play. Do you think that some players may find technology to be invasive? Although I support technology in the sense that it can help officials regulate the game, I feel as though players may be frustrated about how much of a role technology plays in their sport. Most athletes take the field, court, or rink to escape the chaos and unplug from the outside world. So I can imagine that some players might not be thrilled when officials have to look at tape recording of plays or when they are in the headlines for an “unfair” plays.
    I too am interested in the effects that Technology may have on other industries such as the retail industry, the healthcare industry, the education system, and even the economy. I wonder if Technology acts as a neutralizer in all these industries as well?

  5. I would like to share my ideas of technology in sports. I partly agree Vigo’s argument, but when I watched the Olympics this summer, I think technology overall improved the sensation of watching the games. In the games of volleyball and table tennis, the development of technology as well as excellent techniques of photography made it’s easier for referees to look back the controversial round. The animation in diving and gymnastics competition helped audience to better understand the motion and scores. The most memorable scene was the running competition at night; the animation vividly showed the tracks with national flags, and the lighting was amazing. Olympic Games always remind people of culture pride or patriotism, and by the advancement of technology, my emotion actually increases.

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