Monday, Jun. 14, 2010

Vuvuzela

Vuvuzelas have been all the buzz at the 2010 World Cup, but not in a good way. The incessant beehive sound created by the long plastic instruments has saturated entire stadiums, indiscriminately drowning out players trying to coordinate strategy, sportscasters trying to call plays and fans trying to cheer on their team. The horn-blowing tradition first came into vogue in South African soccer during the 1990s and has been part of its sporting culture ever since. Of the vuvuzelas, FIFA president Sepp Blatter had this to say via Twitter: "I don't see banning the music traditions of fans in their own country. Would you want to see a ban on the fan traditions in your country?" Sepp, we can live with nixing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" for a few baseball games if you'll just silence those blasted horns for the remainder of the World Cup. Until then, viewers at home should press mute and players on the field should pick up sign language.