is it logical to assume...

[preyer]

that any established, civilized group of people or creatures will have some sort of sports? in particular, 'violent' sports such as boxing or football? it might have some literary bearing on a story, eh? (besides, not all SF/F has to be about saving the universe, eh?)

[Vomaxx]

Since a number of (more-or-less) civilized groups never invented writing, and the Incas invented roads without managing to come up with the wheel, I think it is rash to assume much of anything.

The Romans enjoyed watching slaves compete in violent contests, but Romans themselves had no interest in participating in sports.

I think every society will have some kind of recreational games, though.

[Ella]

I would say so. Looking back at ancient civilizations, there has been sport for as long as man has been upright.
If 'creatures' are intelligent enough to be civilized, I would assume they'd have sports.

I once asked Julie Czerneda (http://www.czerneda.com/), SciFi writer, how she came up with her 'civilizations' - how they thought, acted, etc. She said it was from the inside out - she started with a biological base, the body and the setting, and built the society around how they would have evolved and what allowances or abilities would stem from their physicality. I found that fascinating.

[SeanDSchaffer]

The ancient Romans were (and are still today) considered to be a very civilized people, but at the same time they had their blood-sport. The Collosseum (I think that's how it's spelled for that particular arena) was one of the most technologically advanced arenas ever built, and it was all for the purpose of killing for fun. That blood-sport kept Rome alive for centuries, even before the Collosseum was built.

And again, they were and are still considered one of the most civilized peoples of the Ancient Western World.

[Jamesaritchie]

that any established, civilized group of people or creatures will have some sort of sports? in particular, 'violent' sports such as boxing or football? it might have some literary bearing on a story, eh? (besides, not all SF/F has to be about saving the universe, eh?)

You're creating the world and the people/aliens on it. Whether or not they have sport is 100% up to you.

[preyer]

true, but if it's earth in a hundred years it has to be plausible. that is, i think the mass psychology has to be realistic for most stories to work unless you're going out of your way for whatever reason.

the colosseum is the rome arena, but you'll see the variant 'coliseum' sometimes when referring to general arenas. interesting you point out the colosseum in its relation to rome's 'civilized' nature, as when i toured the place the guide pointed out the giant penis carved into a pillar as directions to the nearest brothels. can we then deduce that civilized people accept prostitution?

[MadScientistMatt]

Most cultures have had some sort of sports or games. I can think of examples of violent, combat-based, or simply dangerous sports springing up in many times and places: Anetsa (sp?) in eastern American Indian groups, Sumo in Japan, Roman chariot races, American Football, etc. Many people have aggressive urges, and it seems there is often a need in society for some acceptable entertainment that caters to this urge. Sometimes it is in sports, other times it may be through arts (movies) or other outlets. If there is no such violent entertainment in a science fiction world, you will need to have some explanation as to how aggression is handled in this world, and this is likely to be important enough to be a major plot point.

[veinglory]

I wouldn't assume it. A lifeform with a culture could have evolved in a setting where aggression wasn't a viable strategy.

[MadScientistMatt]

True - I should have specified that this was humans in a relatively near future as preyer refered to in an earlier post. If you're working with aliens, you have a lot more leeway.

[Jamesaritchie]

true, but if it's earth in a hundred years it has to be plausible. that is, i think the mass psychology has to be realistic for most stories to work unless you're going out of your way for whatever reason.

the colosseum is the rome arena, but you'll see the variant 'coliseum' sometimes when referring to general arenas. interesting you point out the colosseum in its relation to rome's 'civilized' nature, as when i toured the place the guide pointed out the giant penis carved into a pillar as directions to the nearest brothels. can we then deduce that civilized people accept prostitution?

If it's earth in a hundred years, it would be completely implausible to think there wouldn't be sports. When something has been around since man was kicking around the heads of his victims for fun, when it's a part of every culture there is, when it's still not only popular but bigger than ever, it ain't gonna vanish in 100 years.

[DaveKuzminski]

If it's earth in a hundred years, it would be completely implausible to think there wouldn't be sports. When something has been around since man was kicking around the heads of his victims for fun, when it's a part of every culture there is, when it's still not only popular but bigger than ever, it ain't gonna vanish in 100 years.

Perhaps not, but the Romans didn't have to deal with insurance companies.

[preyer]

good point, lol.

coincidentally, 'the running man' is on t.v. in the background.

[dragonjax]

Humans, and in the near future? Yeah, I'd say so. Heck, even in LOST, one of the castaways realizes that they all need something to unwind and destress, so he comes up with a make-shift golf course. Recreational activities -- whether contact sports, solitary activities, or group events -- are part of our wiring. My two cents.