Why do humans like to watch other humans do stuff?
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TV ClubHouse: Archives: Why do humans like to watch other humans do stuff?

Ketchuplover

Sunday, December 01, 2002 - 06:14 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
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Sia

Sunday, December 01, 2002 - 08:46 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Interesting question, Ketchup. I think people fall into four or five categories where watching is concerned. You have people who like to DO things, like sports, for example. Those are the active, fit, brave and not-socially-shy people who don't mind being watched by other people. Then you have people who enjoy attending events where they watch people participating in activities like concerts, sporting events, competitions, etc. Another group would be people who like to watch, but who are unable to attend the events for various reasons (shyness, lack of extra money for tickets, need of a babysitter, physical impairment, extreme distance to the event, etc.) but like to watch them, so they see the events on television or cable. There's another group of people who like to "people-watch," and they go to the mall, for example, as much for the entertainment of watching people interact with one another as they do for the actual shopping. Finally, you have a group of people who are into a completely different set of activities and don't want to watch others at all; they are either too busy, antisocial, shy, or otherwise obligated to pay attention to what the rest of the world is doing!!

Some people like to watch people do things because they enjoy guessing the outcome of things. I enjoy BB and Survivor because I love to guess who will get along with whom and who will just blow out and get booted. Some people love competition. Some people admire the strength, grace, and agility of other people (like skaters or gymnasts!). Some people are just plain nosy; these are the people who sit at their front windows or on their front porches all hours of the day and night. These are the people who tell your hairdresser who your company was last night and how late he/she stayed. If they're extremely nosy, they even can report what you had for dinner!!

Fun idea, Ketchup. Hope this is what you had in mind.

Whit4you

Sunday, December 01, 2002 - 09:14 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Well not sure what you are really asking here Ketchup :)

Do you mean on tv? or say on webcams? or at the mall?

I like watching ice skaters and other things like that because I can't do them and appreciate those who can.

I like watching BB type shows hmmm - really don't know why - it's like I like to learn and grow as a person and watching BB is sort of like living with 12 other people for the summer without actually having to leave my house or have people watching ME lol.

I like watching webcams - because it's new and intersting and very strange :)

I like watching people on the streets in NYC because I just am in awe that people actually LIVE like that.

I like watching people in tiny towns because again I'm in awe that people actually live like that (I did myself but only when I was young)

Pcakes2

Monday, December 02, 2002 - 12:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Because I'm just plain nosy!

Whoami

Monday, December 02, 2002 - 12:50 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
The funniest people watching experience I had was at a mall. It was the type of mall where there are two levels. And the upper level has an open space in the center, with a railing where you can see down to the first level.

Anyway, a friend and I were sitting on a bench on the first level. We spotted an ice-cream cone on the floor that someone had dropped. Even though it was positioned well past the opening to the second level, almost everyone who walked by would spot the cone, look at it, then look up to the second level railing; presumably assuming the cone had to have been dropped from the second level. I don't know why it didn't occur to anyone that someone could have been on the first level, and dropped it there. The other funny thing is, some people spotted it from a distance, then walked a wide berth around it, keeping their eyes on it the whole time. Like it was going to jump up and chase them across the mall!

I bet we spent a good half hour or more sitting there watching people, lauging hysterically at them!

Faerygdds

Monday, December 02, 2002 - 01:23 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Because when we see the level of insanity in others.. it makes us feel NORMAL!

Denecee

Monday, December 02, 2002 - 01:48 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
LOL Whoami! That's a funny story. I love to watch people at the mall but rarely actually do it. I like to watch people for the fun of it but if I see what I think is bad behavior, I will stare until I'm noticed.

Dahli

Monday, December 02, 2002 - 02:42 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I know there are many things I don't like to watch other humans do... as a matter of fact I have to turn away from any live situation, TV or movies if people are kissing each other...it absolutely grosses me out. The kiss at Liza Minelli's wedding about did me in. Hate to see people eating in public too. I also could not watch that tape of the woman hitting her kid in the back of her car that was all over the news I wonder if I am strange this way?? I guess I'm a human who does not like to watch other humans do much....lol

Wargod

Monday, December 02, 2002 - 02:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I'm a people watcher...always have been. We go to baseball games, I usually spend more time watching the crowd. When we go to parks, or to school, or other public places, I watch the people around me. If I enjoyed malls, LOL, I'd probably go sit there and people watch.

Twiggyish

Monday, December 02, 2002 - 03:17 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Good question and I can't think of a good reason.
I just love watching shows like BB..LOL

Pottedplant

Monday, December 02, 2002 - 04:41 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I dunno, but I do :)
My cats will run to the patio door to look out if they hear a cat fight, maybe I have been living with them for too long LOL

Sia

Monday, December 02, 2002 - 04:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
LOL, Pottedplant, my kids run to the back door whenever they hear our dogs bark; it means that someone has pulled into our driveway!

Northstar

Monday, December 02, 2002 - 06:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I think it's all about compare/contrast with society's norms. Just seeing how our values/traits stack up against others.

Hippyt

Monday, December 02, 2002 - 06:43 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
When I was in High School me and a guy friend would go to the airport and watch people. We'd sit and guess where they were from,and generally poke fun at everyone. We were so catty and sarcastic,it was fun!

Hippyt

Monday, December 02, 2002 - 06:47 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Whoami,you're story just reminded me of an old prank I love. Anywhere where there are people,look up at the ceiling. It's NEVER failed,everyone will eventually look up too. I used to love doing that when I was a kid!

Pamy

Monday, December 02, 2002 - 06:52 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
LOL Hippy! I am gonna do that at work tomarrow and see what happens!

Whoami

Monday, December 02, 2002 - 07:09 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
LOL Hippy! I did pull a prank like that on a gymnasiam full of people once. It was when I was an instructor of an indoor color guard.

While the memebers were lined up, waiting for the announcer to introduce us, and give us permission to "take the floor in competition," I had the girls do this: one girl looked up at the ceiling (over the heads of the audience), got a "look" on her face, poked the girl next to her and pointed. They both looked and pointed, then poked the next girl in line and did the same thing, till all the girls were pointing and looking.

The whole audience was looking up, turning around, etc, trying to figure out what the kids on the floor were looking at! It was hilarious! That was our "final show of the season" thing we did.

Kady

Monday, December 02, 2002 - 08:59 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I love to watch and listen to people. It is amazing what people will say around strangers. I just sit and smile never say a word and people forget I'm there. :)

Whit4you

Monday, December 02, 2002 - 09:49 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
OMG Whaomi - that reminds me of the day me and my friends all decided to look at "Brad" - this one guy in class - brainy guy... and 'make eyes' at him and stuff - all at the same time... poor guy. We all started giggling and we all got in trouble. LOL

Hey we were young!