What struck me most about Foer’s stories in How Soccer Explains the World was the impact the rise of soccer had on the academic culture of global societies. In several of the countries Foer visited, he got to know many of the native soccer fans as more than just wild, uncivilized creatures. Through interactions with Alan, Foer learned of his opinionated views on various topics including “deficiencies of authoritarian governments, the morality of the Anglo-American war against Iraq, the genius of Alexander the Great, and the earnest temperament of Californians.” He learned of an English gang full of stockbrokers. The Ultra Bad Boys, like Draza, were often college students receiving an education that could have been put to good use. Foer spoke with Dummy, a loyal Rangers fan, who was able to poetically narrate the history of Scottish Protestantism, correctly reciting dates and names (even while in a “not-so-sober” state of mind).
If all of these men had so much potential for greatness, why did they resort to corruption and violence?? Instead of exploiting soccer to destroy lives, why not channel their drive and energy into more worthwhile feats?
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