Why do professional athletes get cheered on so much just for doing what they're paid to do?

Question

There are plenty of other professions where people go above and beyond, work their asses off, and still barely manage to make ends meet. These are people who actually make a valid contribution to society outside of throwing a ball into a hole or through a post. Why aren't they being paid as much or more?

Answer 1

There is something more socially satisfying watching someone crush a baseball 410 feet than finding a cure for polio, even those the latter helps more than the former ever will.

Answer 2

When an athlete stretches beyond his/her expectations in a game then the crowd is that much more impressed. For instance, a baseball player making a really hard catch or long throw; or a tennis player connecting with a ball that looked impossible to hit.

I do wholeheartedly agree with their being wildly overpaid for what they do...it's not like they are improving the world through inventions or cures to diseases or teaching children. They are "entertainers," but people love to watch them (it's a thrill to see people doing things the "average" person isn't good enough to be professional at).

Those who make valid contributions to society aren't apparently valued as much even though what they do is far more meaningful to mankind than any athlete's contributions. Entertainment is valued above serious achievement.

Answer 3

BECAUSE PPL R STUPID.