Why does society hate chess?

The comparison of chess to golf is on the money. Both are difficult to learn and for one to become "good" at it.

There are two significant differences. In golf, one must be in decent form to be able to walk five miles, and, in between, focus on the next shot.

There is also no defense in golf. Once one knows how to play, it's as Bobby Jones said. "Golf is played on a five inch surface. The space between your ears".

It is odd that one of the most popular games in the world is  hated by society.This entire thread...unconvincing.

As sharp as a bowling ball.

True, there are significant differences in both Golf & Chess, but I was refering to my experiences in people not understanding golf and compared it to chess. But yes, both sports are comparable on the rise of purses in tournaments. Chess has Fischer, and Golf has Arnie & Tiger

Golf also has a high status quotient. It is the game of the rich and powerful, played against beautfiul manicured landscapes.

Chess will never have that kind of status unless the government decides to fund it as part of a propaganda arms race, as the Soviets did in the 20th century.

Golf

In many places, yes, there is an aura about golf that people believe. Truth is, it's easily accessible at your local muni course.

At country clubs, it's definitely about status and money. But, I've played with those that have "status", and, on the course, status doesn't matter. Again, it's a mind game.

You can learn a helluva lot about someone from playing a round with them. 

It's a saying that goes back decades. In my experiences, it's true. It doesn't matter what walk of life you are from. How do you play? How do you treat others?

In chess there is the play, but no banter. Golfers talk to each other often.

Golf courses may be subsidised with breaks on property taxes, but, it's for a good reason. It brings people together. I've been a part of courses where the 19th hole was like a family gathering.

(and status didn't matter)

America has had a love/hate relationship with intelligence from the beginning. The Founders were an astonishing collection of high IQ types. Arguably Americans then were more literate than ours today. But by 1828 Jackson was elected representing the anti-intellectual populist mentality.

But in 1912 America elected Woodrow Wilson, a Ph.D and Princeton President. Since then Northeastern Democrats have been associated with intelligence -- FDR, Adlai Stevenson, JFK, and most recently Barack Obama, who was advertised as perhaps the most intelligent man ever to  become President.

In practice the majority of people who rise high in the US government as well as many large American corporations are products of Ivy League schools.

On the flip side you had presidents like Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon and Reagan who did not have that Ivy League stamp and often appealed to the anti-intellectual voters, who nonetheless seemed smart enough to get things done, though often reviled by those who fancied themselves the really smart ones.

Bush 41 and Bush 43 are too complicated for this discussion.

Anyway America's love or hate of intelligence is a fine-grained discussion.

In many places, yes, there is an aura about golf that people believe. Truth is, it's easily accessible at your local muni course.

Al: Quite true. I thought to mention it but I endeavor to be succinct in my comments.

I loved the Seinfeld episodes where Kramer was on his way to or from the links!

What even is an anti-intellectual, lol.

Or when he thought a penalty stroke caused his playing companion to kill a dry cleaner!

We're yet to hear any real evidence that supports the claim "society hates chess",let alone explain what that vague phrase even means....

Can we go back to the elephants now? That was interesting and infromative, as opposed the bowel movements converted to text people had to wade through in the last few hours.

Not that I personaly waded through them, as a member of soceity that hates chess I have a natural ability to avoid chess player's crap.

Or do bikinis hate elephants because they can't fit out?

Funzone raised the question : what color is an elephant....... brown, grey or Eiffel tower yellow?

In India I think they get painted all manner of colors. Painting elephants is an art form.

just to bring everybody up to speed I also conclusively proved elephants crossed the Alps from Spain n to invade Rome but they all died before they got there.

I'm not aware that society hates chess. Rather society tends to poke fun (very different to hate). As others have said, chess does have something of a negative image e.g. its for nerds who wear glasses and can't get a girlfriend; people who are weak and no good at football etc.

We also have to accept the fact that chess is not media friendly - who wants to sit for 2 hours watching 2 people doing nothing in particular (or so it appears to those who dont understand it) - there is nothing physical or action packed about it.

However it is seen as an intelligent game and a good adjunct to learning. So not all negative!

I was going to comment on your post but your name already says everything I wanted to convey.The topic is elephants please get on board.

hahaha

Now if a guy is walking alone in the forest talking to himself and there is not a woman around to hear him ....would he still be wrong ?

@solastalgia. Thats very strange because the forum topic seems to be "why does society hate chess."  Of course as an elephant lover you are far more intelligent than me but how does that preclude you from reading properly? I never realised elephants were condescending half wits either.

I guess I live and learn - which seems more than you manage, judging by some of the comments people have added to your profile 

"But hard to say what intellecualism or even anti intellectualism is..."

If you can't define it,then you can't really talk about it...let alone debate it...at which point the "discussion" reduces to alot of muddled thinking.