Yoyoing: Sport or Nope?

[stookie]

Based on that link, the IOC recognizes the governing bodies of chess, but it’s not an Olympic sport. The only person calling it a sport for sure is the person who wrote that portion of the wiki, and probably just because it’s not worth making any kind of distinction.

A little further down are the contested “sports”. The only ones that are a little debatable by common definition are the equestrian events, but I think horse dancing is puzzling for all but 10 people in the world, so I just pretend like it’s not there.

[Totalartist]

I agree that this topic comes up a lot, but I will chime in because I am bored. Yo-yoing is a sport by pure definition, webster’s definiton included, nevermind a random person’s made up idea of what a sport is or requires. I think the only real argument is what “kind” of sport is it. There are different kinds of sports, and ones that require different levels of training, skill, and physical activity. I see them throwing a shot put on T.V., and we throw a yo-yo a lot more often than they do in that sport. Also, I respect poker, which I always see in competition when I watch ESPN (the sports network). I respect exercise of the mind too. The pure definition is all that matters, but if the people at the top level, Andre Boulay, Nathan, whomever, consider it a sport…it is a sport. If yo-yoing competition was on an appropriate T.V. channel, it would be a channel like ESPN, without a doubt. I would agree there is no “need” to call it anything, but I will call it a sport for those who play at that level, a hobby for people who mess around and/or collect, an art for those who are doing mods and designing and so on. It is many things, and a sport is one of them, just as this site describes accurately.

[GregP]

@Totalartist

Yo-yoing is a sport by pure definition, webster’s definiton included, nevermind a random person’s made up idea of what a sport is or requires.

Dictionary definitions are written usually by one person and vetted by a small group of stakeholders, usually employees of a publisher. This committee has at its disposal various resources that help inform them of what a consensus of a definition might look like. But that’s all it is. You can certainly decide that you are only interested in the consensus definition, but that doesn’t make it etched in stone, nor a fact; and it does not discount an intelligent person’s ability to engage in critical thinking (ie. it’s not necessarily just some “random person’s” arbitrary definition).

I respect exercise of the mind too.

Just to be absolutely clear, that’s all I’m doing here… not trying to be an arse, but engaging my mind with other intelligent folks. Just wanted to throw that out there.

…but if the people at the top level, Andre Boulay, Nathan, whomever, consider it a sport…it is a sport.

Unfortunately, ad populem arguments are logically invalid. In this case, even less valid because you have a non-biased party as the populus. Let’s say a group of the world’s best navel-gazers got together (these people can stare at bellybuttons like it’s nobody’s business!) and all said, “What we’re doing here is a sport,” that wouldn’t make it true. The experts in a given field making a claim should actually hold LESS weight since there’s a built-in bias.

If yo-yoing competition was on an appropriate T.V. channel, it would be a channel like ESPN, without a doubt.

I agree with this. Whether it’s a sport or not, a sporting channel is the only place it would make sense.

I would agree there is no “need” to call it anything, but I will call it a sport for those who play at that level, a hobby for people who mess around and/or collect, an art for those who are doing mods and designing and so on. It is many things, and a sport is one of them

Hey, I won’t try to tell other people they’re not allowed to consider it a sport. I took the topic as asking “do you personally consider it a sport,” and I initially stated “no”. I’m being swayed, though (despite debating here, your own arguments are helping convince me!)

…just as this site describes accurately.

“Accurately” implies fact. It’s still an opinion… in this case, it’s good rhetoric to use the word “accurately” as it carries a tone of authority and agrees with another authority figure. But though good rhetoric can go hand-in-hand with solid logic, the two are separate things.

[Totalartist]

As it relates to definitions, when studying the English language, one of the tools we are taught to use is a dictionary. A reputable dictionary, and to have several on hand. While the definitions were drafted for publication, there has been a “history,” and system established for those who are in business of creating that body of work, not just one person writing down what they think. Within that system is consideration of as many versions of a definition as possible, and research of the word in various contexts. While what the definition “should” be is always up for debate, what it is understood to be in the English language, established by a reputable publication, used by those who study the language, cannot be discounted as just an opinion. For a definition of “sport,” for this debate, the dictionary is a much better source for the definition. It is like debating the facts, when we have not stipulated to what the facts are. When we are all coming up with a definition in our own head, there is no basis for debate. For example, so far in this thread, no one has disputed the dictionary’s definition of the word, they have simply added to it, to create their own definition instead. As the dictionary, which we use in school and studying the language is the “consensus,” it is the definition to be stipulated to in a debate about the word. Any critical thinking about the definition, is just that…critical thinking, but still has no bearing on what the established definition is. I can debate whether the sky is “blue,” and I might get credit for being a critical thinker, but that is about all.

As for statements about people at the top level, it has extreme credibility when they finally agree. As the people most respected, most passionate, and considered experts and authorities on the topic, they often do NOT agree on matters at issue with yo-yoing. When you finally find a consensus on an issue such as this, and I find it rare there is one, it gives even more weight to the argument as expected…not less. No argument is “invalid” simply because it is made by many people who are similarly situated. It is like science, when there is a certain level of consensus among those in that field…scientists, it is accepted to be what it is. Andre says it is a sport, so it is a sport for that reason and the other reasons articulated.

That word accurate does necessarily imply “fact.” But to know that, you have to read the rest of the contexts within the definition of that word, in that dictionary book we discussed. Don’t apply critical thinking either, just read all contexts of the definition of that word, and apply the one that makes better sense.

I agree, none of it really “matters” anyway, but I “personally” consider it a sport.

[stookie]

@Totalartist

As for statements about people at the top level, it has extreme credibility when they finally agree. As the people most respected, most passionate, and considered experts and authorities on the topic, they often do NOT agree on matters at issue with yo-yoing. When you finally find a consensus on an issue such as this, and I find it rare there is one, it gives even more weight to the argument as expected…not less. No argument is “invalid” simply because it is made by many people who are similarly situated. It is like science, when there is a certain level of consensus among those in that field…scientists, it is accepted to be what it is. Andre says it is a sport, so it is a sport for that reason and the other reasons articulated.

An argument or result is most certainly invalid if it reaches a conclusion that is influenced by a confounding variable.

The people who we consider to be “at the top level” are typically known to us as being “top level” because they are competition players. So, these players may well see it as a sport by the nature of their unique personal involvement, but their opinion is that of the tiny segment of highly ranked competition players.

The other 99.9999% of players, whose opinions we aren’t considering strictly because they’re not as visible to us, will never compete or view yoyoing as a competitive thing. If there’s a consensus, it logically rests with their much more common experience.

The confounding variable, when trying to decide if yoyoing is a competition by asking top level players, is that our ability to discern who is top level is directly influenced by the visibility of being a competition player.

[Totalartist]

@stookie

@Totalartist

As for statements about people at the top level, it has extreme credibility when they finally agree. As the people most respected, most passionate, and considered experts and authorities on the topic, they often do NOT agree on matters at issue with yo-yoing. When you finally find a consensus on an issue such as this, and I find it rare there is one, it gives even more weight to the argument as expected…not less. No argument is “invalid” simply because it is made by many people who are similarly situated. It is like science, when there is a certain level of consensus among those in that field…scientists, it is accepted to be what it is. Andre says it is a sport, so it is a sport for that reason and the other reasons articulated.

An argument or result is most certainly invalid if it reaches a conclusion that is influenced by a confounding variable.

The people who we consider to be “at the top level” are typically known to us as being “top level” because they are competition players. So, these players may well see it as a sport by the nature of their unique personal involvement, but their opinion is that of the tiny segment of highly ranked competition players.

The other 99.9999% of players, whose opinions we aren’t considering strictly because they’re not as visible to us, will never compete or view yoyoing as a competitive thing. If there’s a consensus, it logically rests with their much more common experience.

The confounding variable is that our ability to discern who is top level is directly influenced by the visibility of being a competition player, and not by virtue of their being objectively the best yoyo players possible.

There is, in fact, nothing “confounding” about that variable at all. The people I mentioned being “top level,” should not be minimized by anything that has to do with competition alone or simply playing with a yo-yo. They are considered “top level,” and have the reputation that they do for a lot more reasons than that. They were involved in competition at top level, but in Andre’s case alone, he has been involved in yo-yoing as not only a player, a designer, a marketer, a teacher/trainer, a retailer, a competition judge. The people I describe at top level are the kind of people, if there was a trial and an expert witness was needed to testify in a case about yo-yoing, they would be qualified and called to the witness stand as experts in that field. I am talking about people at that expert level. Again, if there is a consensus among scientists that they discovered a new planet…they discovered a new planet. Who are you and I as people who “studied science,” in school, to tell them otherwise? Having said that, a statement by the experts defining what yo-yoing is, in any way, shape or form, should not be taken lightly. I think anyone who has far less experience, making an argument to the contrary, is hilarious. I think everyone has the right to call yo-yoing whatever they want, but I find it laughable that the weight of the argument is so one sided. If we have Nathan, who has also designed, played at that level, he judges and so on as well, and a rocket scientist at that, certainly capable of knowing what a “sport” is and what it means, telling you that it is a sport at that level, it is time to listen up. These are men who not only have “played” with a yo-yo, but they have known the sport at that expert level, from many more angles than that as described above, more than we have, and educated men with advanced degrees who certainly know what the word “sport” means. I’m just saying that until we get someone else on that level in this thread to refute that statement, the debate stinks. If you had Andre and Nathan sitting at a table with some other folks at that level, and they said, “yo-ying is a sport” they are like the scientists I just talked about. They have been sitting at tables with people considered to be National Masters, not only here, but around the world too. They are telling you what it is. Then, people actually come in here and state the opposite. Well, you see how funny this thread is now from my perspective. Again, call it whatever makes you happy, it’s your right, but you know what it really is. A sport, and it can be defined as other things as well. It doesn’t look like a sport when I do it though, when I do it, it needs another definition altogether.

Oh, and after Nathan chimed in, if I was a mod’, I would have locked the thread. A question was asked and it was answered…thread done.

[stookie]

It is a confounding variable. I can’t even entertain the argument that, if put to a vote, people in the community wouldn’t choose high level comp players as the “top level” players. I think it’s obvious that they would, and they would because comp players are both visible and ranked. Their fame and connections also make them the most likely to hold other positions in the community which would make them experts.

The problem, in my view, is that you’re conflating a few top players with all of the scientific community, or any other analogy you’d like to make about consensus. I don’t agree. What you’re arguing for sounds like pretending a consensus among scientists funded by tobacco companies is a consensus about the effects of tobacco. Not only are you disregarding the opinion of the vast majority who should comprise a consensus, but you only value the opinions of those who are most likely to hold a bias toward a particular understanding.

If we want to know what yoyoing is, it’s simple. What do most people who play yoyo do? If compete is the answer, then it’s a competitive sport. If not, then it’s not.

[Totalartist]

I think you are missing my point altogether, and this is why I have been repeating this a few times now. You keep talking about “players” and only “players” as the people who would best “define” yo-yoing. The problem is that the people who play with yo-yos, and even people who compete, are not the people most suitable to define what yo-yoing is. The people who not only “play” but those who have seen yo-yoing from all the angles I described above, are the people best suited to define it. I would rather take an answer on this from this from Andre, or Nathan, than from you for the reasons I gave in the last post. I will take the word of the guy who has been the player, the teacher, the retailer, the judge, over someone who says otherwise. He is a National Master, you are…you. He says it is a sport among other things, and it is a sport.

Your tobacco analogy does not work because I am not arguing about the effects of yo-yoing. I am arguing about the persons most suitable to come up with the definition of what it is. I just feel like I am debating…nothing here. For the effects of yo-yoing, nevermind a scientist, you need doctors and everyone else at the table too. Bad analogy.

Furthermore, you are talking about the majority of people who are not at that “top level.” Those are most of the people posting in this thread, and so far, the argument that it is a sport is winning. You can get some more people in here, and you posted a lot, but if you take a poll of the individuals who expressed interest in this topic, you don’t even have a majority of that argument. So now, the argument is stronger that it is a sport. The “top level” people say it is a sport and most of the people in this thread consider it a sport. Take a poll of the entire thread and what people have said. It speaks for itself. Again, call it what you want, but most people consider it a sport. You are in the minority on the issue. I’d rather listen to the National Master on this one.

You are also changing the OP’s question to fit your argument. He asked if Yoyoing is a “sport.” The answer is yes. In your last line you are discussing it being a “competitive sport.” As Nathan said, it can be that too, at a certain level of play, which classifies it as a sport to those people. Either way…it is a sport by definition and sometimes a competitive sport too, the kind of sport you seem interested in for your argument. Take a poll of this thread, not after you’ve had more people in here, but right now… Most people in general top level or not, would call yo-yoing a sport…period. If it is what the majority would say, as you suggest, it is still a sport.

Also, none of those people I mentioned have anything to gain by calling yo-yoing a sport. What have they gained from it? Do you think they would collectively all decide to call it a sport for profit? Part of what keeps them in their position within the community is integrity, and what you suggest seems to indicate otherwise. I want to know what anyone who says it is a sport, when it is clear by the dictionary’s definition that it is anyway, has to gain by coming up with something like that?

[dynikus]

@Totalartist

Those are most of the people posting in this thread, and so far, the argument that it is a sport is winning. You can get some more people in here, and you posted a lot, but if you take a poll of the individuals who expressed interest in this topic, you don’t even have a majority of that argument. So now, the argument is stronger that it is a sport.

It’s funny you would say that. I went through the thread again after reading that part, and it’s 15-15, with one person saying it’s a spobby.
If you’re going for the argument that it is, then it’s technically 13 saying it is, and 15 that it isn’t (2 people saying it should be, implying that isn’t)

If we’re taking the dictionary definition of it with a strict interpretation, anything you do to enjoyably pass time is considered a sport. Sewing or knitting, talking with friends, playing video games, and even watching tv would all be considered sports.

[Totalartist]

@dynikus

@Totalartist

Those are most of the people posting in this thread, and so far, the argument that it is a sport is winning. You can get some more people in here, and you posted a lot, but if you take a poll of the individuals who expressed interest in this topic, you don’t even have a majority of that argument. So now, the argument is stronger that it is a sport.

It’s funny you would say that. I went through the thread again after reading that part, and it’s 15-15, with one person saying it’s a spobby.
If you’re going for the argument that it is, then it’s technically 13 saying it is, and 15 that it isn’t (2 people saying it should be, implying that isn’t)

If we’re taking the dictionary definition of it with a strict interpretation, anything you do to enjoyably pass time is considered a sport. Sewing or knitting, talking with friends, playing video games, and even watching tv would all be considered sports.

The person who said it is a spobby is telling you it is a sport and hobby and that is the conclusion reached from past threads as the general consensus. So, count again. You missed a few. Even if it was 15/15, which it is NOT, you have a tied board and Andre Boulay, Nathan, and Anthony Rojas, even stating it is a sport. Then, we have…YOU stating otherwise. No contest…it’s a sport. You missed several posts I guess. If people who knit want to do it at that level and call it sport, I have no issue with that. I know nothing about knitting, maybe you do, but I don’t. I’ll leave the knitting to you. But, because I never heard of people who knit having contests, and calling it sport, why is knitting relevant here? Are people who play video games calling it sport? Again, not relevant, I’ll leave that up to their experts to decide, but I don’t see them defining it that way. Are people who watch TV calling it sport…no, not relevant either. People who yo-yo, according to this site and this thread are calling it a sport. I’ll believe the National Master or believe you on this. Also, curious which dictionary you use too.

[dynikus]

@Totalartist

@dynikus

@Totalartist

Those are most of the people posting in this thread, and so far, the argument that it is a sport is winning. You can get some more people in here, and you posted a lot, but if you take a poll of the individuals who expressed interest in this topic, you don’t even have a majority of that argument. So now, the argument is stronger that it is a sport.

It’s funny you would say that. I went through the thread again after reading that part, and it’s 15-15, with one person saying it’s a spobby.
If you’re going for the argument that it is, then it’s technically 13 saying it is, and 15 that it isn’t (2 people saying it should be, implying that isn’t)

If we’re taking the dictionary definition of it with a strict interpretation, anything you do to enjoyably pass time is considered a sport. Sewing or knitting, talking with friends, playing video games, and even watching tv would all be considered sports.

The person who said it is a spobby is telling you it is a sport and hobby and that is the conclusion reached from past threads as the general consensus. So, count again. You missed a few. Even if it was 15/15, which it is NOT, you have a tied board and Andre Boulay, Nathan, and Anthony Rojas, even stating it is a sport. Then, we have…YOU stating otherwise. No contest…it’s a sport. You missed several posts I guess. If people who knit want to do it at that level and call it sport, I have no issue with that. I know nothing about knitting, maybe you do, but I don’t. I’ll leave the knitting to you. But, because I never heard of people who knit having contests, and calling it sport, why is knitting relevant here? Are people who play video games calling it sport? Again, not relevant, I’ll leave that up to their experts to decide, but I don’t see them defining it that way. Are people who watch TV calling it sport…no, not relevant either. People who yo-yo, according to this site and this thread are calling it a sport. I’ll believe the National Master or believe you on this. Also, curious which dictionary you use too.

are you counting people from past threads in the total tally for each side? If so, then it’s impossible to know how many are for each side.
If you’re not, perhaps it’s you who should count again.
for
iYoyo58
UlmerISANerd
Oversized Shady
Xore237
offstring-stewart
Nathan
DrAwesome
olldasmall
stringking
krayzebone2003
ITSAUTHENTIC
Totalartist
-12

against
TTTYo
GregP
Lordchootapa
stookie
NOLAcuber
annublade09
Dynikus
Pajama Man 8398
Shadowz143
skitzr
Mr. Yoyoguy
Juki
Wildcat23
I6ify
Alex Fairhurst
-15

This isn’t counting spectra2 or Pinkie Pie who both said it should be, YoRED (said he could consider it, implying he doesn’t currently), thefluteninja who just gave a definition, jhb4826, or theTopo who just said chess was a sport. In my initial count, I included the first three in people who do consider a sport.

By the merriam-webster dictionary definition noun definition 1, a sport is
a : a source of diversion : recreation

by dictionary.com’s definition 3, a sport is: diversion; recreation; pleasant pastime.

By those definitions, any and all recreational activity someone can partake in is considered a sport. Which would include everything aforementioned. But no one would considered any of them to be as such. They’re relevant to the subject because they’re examples of what could be considered sports by taking a strict interpretation of the dictionary definition of a sport. Something that was used as evidence to support that yoyoing is a sport.

And if you’re implying what Anrde, Nathan, Anthony Rojas, or any other pro says has more bearing on what the activity is than I do, I’m actually offended. They are by no means the yoyo gods with final say on the matter, even if they are professional yoyoers.

[Totalartist]

@dynikus

@Totalartist

@dynikus

@Totalartist

Those are most of the people posting in this thread, and so far, the argument that it is a sport is winning. You can get some more people in here, and you posted a lot, but if you take a poll of the individuals who expressed interest in this topic, you don’t even have a majority of that argument. So now, the argument is stronger that it is a sport.

It’s funny you would say that. I went through the thread again after reading that part, and it’s 15-15, with one person saying it’s a spobby.
If you’re going for the argument that it is, then it’s technically 13 saying it is, and 15 that it isn’t (2 people saying it should be, implying that isn’t)

If we’re taking the dictionary definition of it with a strict interpretation, anything you do to enjoyably pass time is considered a sport. Sewing or knitting, talking with friends, playing video games, and even watching tv would all be considered sports.

The person who said it is a spobby is telling you it is a sport and hobby and that is the conclusion reached from past threads as the general consensus. So, count again. You missed a few. Even if it was 15/15, which it is NOT, you have a tied board and Andre Boulay, Nathan, and Anthony Rojas, even stating it is a sport. Then, we have…YOU stating otherwise. No contest…it’s a sport. You missed several posts I guess. If people who knit want to do it at that level and call it sport, I have no issue with that. I know nothing about knitting, maybe you do, but I don’t. I’ll leave the knitting to you. But, because I never heard of people who knit having contests, and calling it sport, why is knitting relevant here? Are people who play video games calling it sport? Again, not relevant, I’ll leave that up to their experts to decide, but I don’t see them defining it that way. Are people who watch TV calling it sport…no, not relevant either. People who yo-yo, according to this site and this thread are calling it a sport. I’ll believe the National Master or believe you on this. Also, curious which dictionary you use too.

are you counting people from past threads in the total tally for each side? If so, then it’s impossible to know how many are for each side.
If you’re not, perhaps it’s you who should count again.
for
iYoyo58
UlmerISANerd
Oversized Shady
Xore237
offstring-stewart
Nathan
DrAwesome
olldasmall
stringking
krayzebone2003
ITSAUTHENTIC
Totalartist
-12

against
TTTYo
GregP
Lordchootapa
stookie
NOLAcuber
annublade09
Dynikus
Pajama Man 8398
Shadowz143
skitzr
Mr. Yoyoguy
Juki
Wildcat23
I6ify
Alex Fairhurst
-15

This isn’t counting spectra2 or Pinkie Pie who both said it should be, YoRED (said he could consider it, implying he doesn’t currently), thefluteninja who just gave a definition, jhb4826, or theTopo who just said chess was a sport. In my initial count, I included the first three in people who do consider a sport.

By the merriam-webster dictionary definition noun definition 1, a sport is
a : a source of diversion : recreation

by dictionary.com’s definition 3, a sport is: diversion; recreation; pleasant pastime.

By those definitions, any and all recreational activity someone can partake in is considered a sport. Which would include everything aforementioned. But no one would considered any of them to be as such. They’re relevant to the subject because they’re examples of what could be considered sports by taking a strict interpretation of the dictionary definition of a sport. Something that was used as evidence to support that yoyoing is a sport.

And if you’re implying what Anrde, Nathan, Anthony Rojas, or any other pro says has more bearing on what the activity is than I do, I’m actually offended. They are by no means the yoyo gods with final say on the matter, even if they are professional yoyoers.

If you are offended, I have no influence on that, it just is what it is. Yes, I value their opinions more than yours on the subject. I believe that yo-yoing should be considered a sport by all. I believe yo-yoing could be considered a sport by all. Based on your posts, you disagree. You should put the could, should and spobby people, and YoyoExpert, who is on the forum…and I saw the Rojas video, he agrees, on my side. You disagree, so they are not on your side of the argument at all. I agree with them, you disagree… Simply put, when someone on your side of the argument describes this “consensus” “majority” or 99% agreement, or or whatever for that argument, it simply does not exist.

We will use your definition that you found in the dictionary. Based on the definition, yo-yoing is a sport, the same argument I have made throughout. Again, I repeat, any conversation about knitting, video games and T.V. watching being a sport has to involve professional people in that field who are into that. If they want to define them as sports…so be it. I said that already too, but those interests have no relevance here. We are on a yo-yo forum talking about yo-yoing, so instead of deviating from yo-yoing to think about knitting, let’s stick to yo-yoing.

By the definition you just posted, that YOU want me to stipulate to for this debate, the question is:

Is yo-yoing a diversion, recreation or pleasant pastime? The answer is clearly YES. As I said several posts ago, probably the first one I made in here. The real debate is what kind of sport is it? I am repeating myself, and the conclusion is still the same. If a knitter wants to say they are knitting for sport, who am I to say otherwise? I don’t know a professional T.V. watcher and someone who teaches how to watch T.V, but if those people say it is sport, who am I to say otherwise? I’d like to stick to the yo-yo topic for that reason. The knitting and T.V. watching professionals are beyond me. I will join a knitting and T.V. Watcher forum and ask if they think it is a sport. The bottom line is, whatever with that. The debate was half descent before that came up.

I have no problem with the knitters knitting for sport, but what does that have to do with the OP’s question?

[dynikus]

The argument about other activites that almost no one would consider a sport came up to discredit what you first said supporting yoyoing being a sport by the pure definition of a sport. Almost no professional knitter, or gamer, etc would consider what they do a sport, which was my entire point. By pure definition, they are. But by both the people who do it, as well as people who don’t, they aren’t.
You can’t put the should, could, etc people on the supporting list, because they’re a very very small percentage of the yoyoing community. There’s no way to get even a slightly accurate consensus of the community, considering there are dozens of other forums, as well as people who don’t go on any forums that are part of it.
Not only that, but you also can’t only consider people who partake in an activity. I don’t personally play lacrosse, nor do I know anything about it really, but do I consider it a sport? Yes. Meaning if someone who doesn’t yoyo does or doesn’t think of yoyoing as a sport, there opinion matters as well.
There is actually a majority, it’s just not clear, nor will it ever be, what side they’re actually on.

[Totalartist]

@dynikus

The argument about other activites that almost no one would consider a sport came up to discredit what you first said supporting yoyoing being a sport by the pure definition of a sport. Almost no professional knitter, or gamer, etc would consider what they do a sport, which was my entire point. By pure definition, they are. But by both the people who do it, as well as people who don’t, they aren’t.
You can’t put the should, could, etc people on the supporting list, because they’re a very very small percentage of the yoyoing community. There’s no way to get even a slightly accurate consensus of the community, considering there are dozens of other forums, as well as people who don’t go on any forums that are part of it.
Not only that, but you also can’t only consider people who partake in an activity. I don’t personally play lacrosse, nor do I know anything about it really, but do I consider it a sport? Yes. Meaning if someone who doesn’t yoyo does or doesn’t think of yoyoing as a sport, there opinion matters as well.
There is actually a majority, it’s just not clear, nor will it ever be, what side they’re actually on.

The problem I had with the knitting and TV watching is that in order to discredit my argument, you have to presume I agree they are not sports. According to the definition YOU want me to use, that you chose, they might be, if those who do it at that level believe the definition fits. I don’t do them well enough to define them. Just because knitters do not refer to it as a sport, or a hobby or an art, does not mean it is not one of those things. It just means that they commonly refer to it as something else. It may still qualify. When making a debate, it is best to stick to what everyone here is familiar with, and knitting and T.V. watching, I don’t know people who do it professionally. Not sure what to add. But again, so what with the T.V. Stuff. My argument is not discredited on that basis. If there is T.V. watching competition going on…so be it. I would let people define it how they want. I respect your opinion that, despite the definition you provided me qualifying yoyoing clearly as a sport, you still believe that it is not. I respect your opinion, just do not agree with you, and threw the reasons why out there. This topic always comes up for a reason, and the reason why is that some would consider it a sport and have defined it that way. This thread was posted for the answer to a direct question. The OP asked a simple question:

Yoyoing “sport” or nope?

You defined sport for me from your dictionary so I will re-post your definition. I will even stipulate to your definition for purposes of this debate:

“A sport is a diversion, a recreation, pleasant pastime.”

Is yo-yoing a diversion, a recreation, a pleasant pastime? Start a poll on that, with your definition, and let’s see the results. Clearly YES it is a sport, which is the answer to the OP’s question. YoyoExpert already said it on the site. Nathan said it already in the thread. Nevermind that though, anyone who can read will see it. The only debate, as I said long ago is:

What kind of sport is it? But, the answer to the OP’s question has been answered. Thanks for the definition. Maybe I am more clear now. Again, I say call it what you want, it’s a free country, but it is what it is.

[dynikus]

well, I don’t have much more to add to the discussion. Agree to disagree, we’re both adamant on our view points. Let people call it what they will.
Thanks for the debate, albeit relatively short.
Haven’t really had anything interesting to debate since I graduated.

[Totalartist]

@dynikus

well, I don’t have much more to add to the discussion. Agree to disagree, we’re both adamant on our view points. Let people call it what they will.
Thanks for the debate, albeit relatively short.
Haven’t really had anything interesting to debate since I graduated.

I agree. The forum has been a bit dead lately. Haha. I gave it my all in there. These types of threads always end up here anyway. Safe to agree to disagree.

[phil_the_lizard]

I consider it a hobby, to be honest. Granted, it does require more dexterity and skill compared to others, like stamp collecting (no offense stamp collectors) but it is not really an athletic thing that requires a whole bunch of strength/speed or something like that. Maybe a good way to say it is that yoyoing is a sport in the same way that chess is a sport. It is very competitive, it has an extremely vibrant community, but it is not in the olympics or something (right?). I am honestly proud that it is a hobby, actually. i like having hobbies.

[Shadowz143]

I never said it wasn’t a sport.

I never said it wasn’t a hobby.

I never said it wasn’t an art.

It all depends on who you are and what your perspective on things are. Personally, I don’t really care what it is. It’s just a darn fun toy.

[offstring-stewart]

Cry some more, mein kinder! Whether or not yo-ing is a sport, it shouldn’t matter. So, stop arguing, stop bickering (Which y’all are, there’s no debating it), and just say your opinion. Ain’t nobody right or wrong in this argument, like Shadowz and a bunch of us said, it’s all opnion. You can claim apples are red, and sombody can claim they are gray. The person saying gray isn’t wrong. He’s colorblind. Perception is what you see. SO in reality, Fighting over Yoing being a sport, Hobby, or spobby is like fighting your sisters for the shower when you’re a male. Ain’t nobody winning, trust me. So, let’s stop bickering with each other, and let’s just state what we think.

[anonyo]

I wanted to debate the whole point is so I can hear opinions an I need facts that back their opinions up. If you think this thread is a waste of time, its annoying just don’t view it. It’s that simple.