by Patrick Appel
Prospero wonders why the Cubs continue to have fans:
To pick a team that is known to lose is technically to anticipate a loss, but in a manageable, predictable way. There is no real loss to avoid; a win would merely be an unexpected bonus. Backing a more successful team raises the stakes by making wins just as viable as losses, so losing is more of a loss. Teams like the Cubs give people a safe space in which to lose. Fans get the benefits of commiseration without incurring any real costs.
The Dish 