The Art of Manliness How Football Took Over America — and Could Collapse
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Jan 20, 2026 
In this engaging conversation, Chuck Klosterman, a keen cultural critic and author, dives into the profound impact of football on American society. He describes football as a 'national operating system' and discusses its dominance in television despite complexities. Klosterman likens football to a simulation of war and explores how video games like Madden have redefined strategies in real-life play. He provocatively predicts the sport's potential collapse, citing issues like advertising changes and declining participation, while also comparing the greatness of icons like Jim Thorpe to Tom Brady.
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Football As A Cultural Hyperobject
- A hyperobject is something so large and intertwined it becomes invisible in totality.
- Chuck Klosterman argues football functions as a cultural hyperobject in America.
TV Made Football Ubiquitous
- In 2023, 93 of the 100 most watched U.S. broadcasts were NFL games.
- Football's TV dominance makes it uniquely central to American media culture.
The Paradox Of Nonrecreational Play
- Football is nearly unplayable as a casual, lifelong sport which should be a liability.
- Klosterman argues that distance democratizes watching, making shared knowledge replace personal experience.
