For the People, Of the People
Commenter BigKris, a commenter I respect, wrote this in the KC Debrief: "D, the 'Karma Bank' nonsense has got to go."
I can understand his feelings. It's one of the fluffier sections of the debrief, and really something I do more for my own amusement than any real analysis. So I open the question: Does anyone really want the karma bank to stay, or would you be happy if it drifted off into the dark night? Really, I'm not wed to any outcomes here.
Now... The Freezer, we need to get that up and running again...
Labels: Meta
posted by D @ 10:55 AM
16 Comments:
I, for one, am a fan of the karma bank. It's a way of remembering how many lucky breaks we've gotten, versus wins that the team actually earned. My vote is to keep it
I much prefer the analysis of reffing to the karma bank. Honestly, I usually either skip it or read it a little puzzled... wouldn't shed a tear to see it gone, particularly if it is using "D analysis resources" that would have been instead used elsewhere. (like, why does every soccer article say that Toronto has the best fans? What can DCU do to recapture that mantle?)
On the other hand... heck its your blog, its a great blog, do what you feel like.
-K
To me, the Karma Bank helps explain some of the many intangibles that make soccer so great.
Without being laden with stats and figures, we fans must learn and appreciate the game, and all that goes with it.
Treat the bank as you see fit. I find that it serves as another component of the overall analysis.
Well, all I know is that the minute you stop writing the karma bank section, something amazing and fantastic will occur that will make us all think fondly of it and what a useful tool it was for making sense of this crazy game.
I say keep it. Its a nice reminder that how much needs to go right to win a match.
Replace the Karma Bank with "Stadium Spy". At the end of every game, give an update on where things stand with our SSS. Also, keep a running comparison between our performance and the performance of the crappy squads that have already secured a SSS. Yes, this will be ridiculously boring and repetitive, but it will drive home the point that the proudest franchise in the MLS is getting egregiously shafted.
I just read an article on Yahoo about the top 10 new sports facilities under construction. One is for the New Jersey Metro Trash and the other is for Real Brigham Young. Meanwhile, we're supposed to be thrilled because we don't have a pitchers mound inside the 18 anymore? I think the time for exasperation has come.
keep the karma bank!
I'd like to see verbiage like "egregiously" and "shafted" in all their various combinations appearing in DCenters on a far more frequent basis...
bon mot bank, perhaps?
I enjoy the karma bank, although I have often found your assessment of negative points due to poor performances to be lacking, presumably from home town favoritism and a sense of hopeful optimism.
The soccer gods DO smile on good performances, but they treat poor performances very harshly.
That said, I'm not going to stop reading if you remove it.
As a practicing Zen Buddhist I've tended to ignore it. The concept of karma is often misunderstood as "what goes around comes around". I definitely prefer if you drop it or call it something else. It kind of like the weird hypocrisy of players who believe that some higher power cares whether their team wins.
Don't let that Big Kris guy intimidate you. I've met him in the flesh and he could just as easily have been named Average Sized Kris.
PS - I'm a non-practicing heathen.
- Garbaggio
I also prefer the ref analysis to the karma bank. After reading the karma bank a few times, I now skip over it.
As one of your actual named (if sporadic) commenters, one who has actually gazed worshipfully into your eyes as we compared beards (my beard's bDr, who's yours?), I'd like to think this counts for something: drop it.
But I'm not particularly interested in dying on that hill. If the spank bank makes you happy sometimes, do it. I'm just not big on its utility, though I almost invariably agree with your analysis.
Actual secret code word: woeadubw. I don't think I've ever seen a more appropriate juxtaposition.
I like it. Just another thing that distinguishes your blog from the rest.
The "Stadium Spy" suggestion? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I think the karma bank is fun, but ultimately doesn't tell me anything. I don't think it HAS to go, but I think there is probably better and more consistent way to keep track of the "intangibles." I disagree with the first post that it keeps track of lucky breaks vs. earned wins; it almost does, but it could be better. But I would love something so that at the mid-season break, I could look at and say "Yes, we're doing well, but look at all these 'karma/luck' points DC's gotten from bad (but fortunate) ref calls, own goals, etc." or vice versa. I don't write these things down and memory has a way of screwing with me.
K,
(off topic, answering your question)
After watching the DC v Toronto match from yesterday, I'd have to give my vote to the United fans as being tops. Really, the crowd was in top form and something to be proud of.
Makes me miss living in DC even more.
Of course, maybe Toronto's fans get the usual nod simply because they continue to enthusiastically support a poor squad, whereas DC fans typically have something to cheer about.
-josh
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