DRHELEN

PILCHER

Biologist,

science writer

THIS ISSUE’S EXPERTS

DRCHRISTIAN

JARRETT

Neuroscientist,

science writer

DRALASTAIR

GUNN

Astronomer,

astrophysicist

ALEXFRANKLIN-

CHEUNG

Environment/

climate expert

LUIS

VILLAZON

Science/tech

writer

PROFROBERT

MATTHEWS

Physicist,

science writer

DRHELEN

SCALES

Oceansexpert,

science writer

ALOMSHAHA

Scienceteacher,

filmmaker,

author

CHARLOTTE

CORNEY

Zoodirector,

conservationist

DRHILARY

GUITE

FormerGP,

science writer

DREMMA

DAVIES

Chemistryexpert,

science writer

Q

&

A

GETTY

IMAGES

ALL YOUR

QUESTIONS

ANSWERED

PROFALICE

GREGORY

Psychologist,

sleep expert

Sincetimeimmemorial,humanshavecompetedagainsteachotherinactivities

thathavereal-lifesurvivalvalue,bethatthrowinga javelin,jousting,boxingor

wrestling.Thismakessensefromanevolutionarypointofview,asthosewho

honedtheseskillsweremorelikelytosurvivewhenfacedwitha real-world

conict.Watchingcombatsportssuchasboxingandwrestlingis anextension

ofthathabit,withallthethrillbutnoneofthepersonaldanger.

Ofcourse,someofusfindsuchthrillsmoreappealingthanothers.A survey

atIndianaUniversityBloomington,US,ofhundredsofundergradsfoundthat

thosewithmorerisk-seekingpersonalities,whosaidtheyenjoyedfeelingsof

fear,derivedmorepleasurefromwatchingmixedmartialarts(MMA)andchose

towatchthesportmoreoen.However,it’snotnecessarilytheviolencethat

manycombatfansarearactedto.A surveyofaendeesatanamateurMMA

eventfoundthatthedramaoftheoccasionwasa strongerpull.Inmanysports,

themostthecompetitorshavetoloseis theirpride,whereasfightersand

pugilistsarequiteliterallypuingtheirbodies,andsometimeseventheirlives,

ontheline.Froma spectator’s perspective, the greater the stakes, the more

exciting the drama.CJ

SEBJOWETT,EPSOM

WHY DO WE ENJOY WATCHING

OTHER PEOPLE FIGHT?