I’m pretty into fantasy football myself, I’ve only played for two years but I think it’s really interesting from a competition with friends standpoint and from a cultural one. I’m not sure if you’ve read any of Matthew Berry’s blog posts or his book, but he discusses how fantasy impacts real life, from forming bonds across social and cultural barriers among strangers, to creating cohesion and friendships in the workplace, to bridging otherwise difficult relationships with friends or family/community members. I think the league-based format of the game establishes norms of trust and reciprocity among league mates and the game provides a common ground for people everywhere. League members are also somewhat civically engaged, discussing rule changes and other issues among themselves and with an elected commissioner…