Interesting Observation of Humans

I've always prided myself in being quite observant.  I know, it's a weird thing to be proud of, but stay tuned for a post on why unobservant people bug me.   Anyway, I have made some interesting observations of humans and tonight I observed a very interesting and common phenomenon:

Why in the world do humans clap and cheer and yell at sporting events?!  Stop and think about it for just a minute.  It's odd!  I went to an Aggie basketball game tonight and spent a good amount of time just watching this amazing activity in which we humans involve ourselves so deeply.  Who in the world came up with the idea that if we are happy or excited about something we see, that we should bang out hands together like Neanderthals?  As I sat in the Spectrum and watched as thousands of people hit their hands together, I realized how weird this action really is.  Vocal cheering is just as odd.  Thousands upon thousands of humans gather together at sporting events to coordinate their vocalizations towards the playing field.  I'm not saying this isn't an enjoyable activity, or that I am at all bothered by it; it's just an interesting observation that, when really pondered, seems so bizarre.  To take this discussion one step further, we must also discuss the metamorphosis some individuals experience as soon as they step into the venue of a sporting event.  For a simple example, consider how normally pleasant people can become animals if a referee makes a bad call.  I watched tonight as a mother of at least three children stood up and heckled while her husband pointed and yelled at top of his lungs toward the referees (from many rows up, mind you).  Consider also how sports fans will yell at the television or from 100 rows above the court or even just let out a quiet "let's go (your team)" as if what they say will actually be picked out of the entire crowd and have some impact on the referees, players, or coaches for whom it was meant.  Sporting events really do provide for some interesting observations and deductions about human behavior; we humans are unique.  Next time you are at a sporting event, observe and ponder this behavior yourself.  I believe you will also realize how odd we really are.