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Originally Posted by mousepod
My perception (and remember, I always personalized the argument - my perception might be totally "wrong" for other people), NASCAR appeals to bloodlust and euphoria (my old shrink used to define euphoria as "an unearned sense of wellbeing"). It's the ugly in "ugly American". And while I've read numerous attacks on Disney Co. that make a similar argument, I have yet to find that feeling in abundance at a Disney park.
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First off - I'd refer you to the World Cup to demonstrate that bloodlust and euphoria are not solely American traits.
In fact, "bloodlust and euphoria" can be applied to any competitive event, from Connect Four with your sibling to bullfighting. Winning at chess or a game of pick-up sticks might not induce drunken and disorderly behavior but it still pushes that competitive pleasure center button. I'd apply this to enjoying an action sequence in a movie...or indeed, enjoying when the villian gets their due at the end of any movie.
As for what Disney appeals to - I've written on this
before - as you say, it's fantasy. Unreality, escapism...you can see where a naysayer could make this into a negative thing.
I think that like fantasy, competitiveness is neither good nor bad - it's a tool, an mindset that can evoke both positive and negative effects.