It’s a very odd thing to realize that, arguably, the absolute worst of human inclinations is somehow a vehicle for entertainment. I’m talking, of course, about war and violence. Why are most games, most books, most shows, most movies focused on violence? Why are we so gripped by the idea of combat, its history, military arrangements, and so on? Why is it unusual if not outright odd to find fiction that is not focused on conflict? Why does it feel unnatural to read a fantasy novel in which there is no Big Battle?

In short, why is war fun?

While I haven’t spent ages doing proper research, a cursory swoop over the evidence has left me wanting. The best that I can come up with from my own little mind is that war is drama in brief.

I’ll be using the word war from here on out, but I refer to any sort of physical conflict (emotional and verbal conflict probably slot into my theory as well) from medieval combat to martial arts movies to pro wrestling to contemporary warfare to sports to super hero battles to wargaming. In short, any sort of fiction (yes, even the “fiction” of pro sports) in which someone is trying to do harm to another human in order to achieve an end.

Upon reflection, it is disturbing to find out we enjoy imagining toy soldiers slaughtering each other or watching adults beat the shits out of each other. But it seems second nature. Historically there has always been warfare, sport, gladiatorial combat even since ancient times. Even something as banal as chess is rooted in warfare. Ancient artifacts include wee men and toy soldiers. Tyler, over at the excellent Billion Dollar Clown Farm YouTube channel, posits that we are able to express some sense of aggression and control through things like wargames and that this is a damn sight better than actually exercising aggression and control over our fellow humans. I’m inclined to agree.

A documentary series about British culture, the name of which I can’t recall unfortunately, stated much the same: British folk, traditionally and perhaps stereotypically, are seen as rather reserved and cold…until you get them to the footy. Then its rage and tears. Sport is a socially acceptable avenue for us to express all range of emotion.

Going back to my thesis, by “drama in brief” I mean that the range of human experience can be encapsulated in war, communicated clearly, and brought to resolution quickly. There are sides and stakes. We know who the “good guys” and the “bad guys” are without the moral qualms of historicity, even in this age of gray antiheroes. The stakes are perhaps even more obvious, actually, as they are…you know, existence itself. The conflict and rising action are unobscured as we feel the excitement and joy at the outbreak of battle and the rush of adrenaline when forces clash. The climax, however, is not written. We don’t know who will come out on top. Will it be me or the kid on the other side of the Fortnite map? Orks or Space Marines? Denver or Miami?

And then, within a matter of minutes, there is victory or defeat. We can experience the adulation of success or the sweet sorrowful tears of failure. We feel what we feel and then move on with our lives because, after all, it’s just a game. Or the credits roll. Or we can close the book.

So that’s my quick write for the day. What do you think?