Interesting and Controversial Analogy

[Guest]

It seems like I'm pretty controversial at this point, which is fine. But the main reason I'm here is to discuss some macro-topics about Cubs baseball.

I've found this interesting analogy: a 19th-century classic book and the current affairs (or history) of the team. If any of you have watched or read Les Misérables, you may think that there is no causal relationship between the two. But I have some thoughts that you may want to refute, clarify, or comment about.

Les Misérables starts with Jean Valjean, who steals a piece of bread and goes to prison. An officer, Javert, throughout the story, emphasizes his willingness to catch Jean Valjean while he undergoes a series of misfortunes. Eventually, he meets a child named Cosette, who has also undergone hardships with the Thénardier family, under whom she was a servant. Jean Valjean also encounters a man named Marius, who becomes in love with Cosette. I have read the entire (unabridged) book version, and find it rather fascinating. I hope that some of you might find it that way too.

I find that the Cubs are like Jean Valjean and Cosette, in an analogous way. In a way, Jean Valjean is a melancholic and a choleric--he has undergone troubles and is determined to fix them. And Cosette has also undergone the same amount of troubles, but she was subjugated. (Her mother, Fantine, dies in the first section.) Yet Jean Valjean and Cosette find happiness and through determination, they want to break free from the cycle of misery. And they do often. It is almost like the World Series, which was the climax, after more than a century of finding meaning and purpose amidst extensive cycles of devastation.

What do you think?

[Rex Buckingham]

 

50 minutes ago, The Cubs Dude said:

What do you think?

I mean this in the nicest way possible... but I think you're trying way too hard to impress people with how smart you are and you just blather on about stuff that doesn't make any sense

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, Rex Buckingham said:

 

I mean this in the nicest way possible... but I think you're trying way too hard to impress people with how smart you are and you just blather on about stuff that doesn't make any sense

If you actually read it, it will make sense. If you've read/watched Les Mis, it would make sense. The journey from melancholy to climax is what makes it so analogous to the Cubs.

If you want to take me up on it, go ahead: Watch the play/musical tonight while thinking about the team, and tell me tomorrow morning what you think.

The most interesting analogies aren't simple (the Cubs are like a spontaneous guy) but they are deep (Jean Valjean resembles the Cubs because he tries to encounter victory/happiness amidst superstition and scorn.)

Here's one question: What did you feel in 2016? What emotions tore you apart as you watched the symbolism of the event?

Edited December 11, 2025 by The Cubs Dude

[jersey cubs fan]

Interesting/controversial 

[Bertz]

 

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, jersey cubs fan said:

Interesting/controversial 

I'm interesting and controversial, and I was already predicting some of the reactions that others would have--that it didn't make sense.

I'm honestly thinking about leaving at that point. I thought that Cubs fans, of all people, would be the most understanding of all. Guess I was wrong.

Anyway, what do you think about this reference? Any background with Les Mis?

[Guest]

Just now, Bertz said:

 

If you looked at it with a different approach, it could make sense.

Have you read or watched Les Mis before? (God, I almost wrote Les Miz because of Misiorowski...)

[javy knows my name]

We are already cubs fans, we in no way deserve this too

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, javy knows my name said:

We are already cubs fans, we in no way deserve this too

?

[JHBulls]

Have we found the Temu @Jason Ross? 

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, JHBulls said:

Have we found the Temu @Jason Ross? 

I'm not as knowledgeable nor intelligent as old Davey here. You probably said that because I have good grammar.

I won't be here much longer--if anyone wants to elaborate upon this, please say something before I depart.

[Jason Ross]

5 minutes ago, JHBulls said:

Have we found the Temu @Jason Ross? 

I don't see a single Tim Robinson reference in here...I'd need to see more Tim Robinson.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Jason Ross said:

I don't see a single Tim Robinson reference in here...I'd need to see more Tim Robinson.

😆

I didn't even know who that was until now.

Although I think that our grammar is relatively similar. And we both seem to value education, since you had previously indicated that you're a middle school teacher.

Good luck out there, dude.

One key difference is that you're generally liked and respected, whereas I'm not.

@grassbass @Rex Buckingham@jersey cubs fan

I guess I have a general question for all of you: How do I get liked on this forum, and what should I do to be generally respected in terms of my opinions?

Edited December 12, 2025 by The Cubs Dude

[Jason Ross]

7 minutes ago, The Cubs Dude said:

😆

I didn't even know who that was until now.

Although I think that our grammar is relatively similar. And we both seem to value education, since you had previously indicated that you're a middle school teacher.

Good luck out there, dude.

One key difference is that you're generally liked and respected, whereas I'm not.

@grassbass @Rex Buckingham@jersey cubs fan

I guess I have a general question for all of you: How do I get liked on this forum, and what should I do to be generally respected in terms of my opinions?

I have a leg up, I've known people here for, in some cases, 20 years. Don't let my join date fool you, I've been a regular on Cubs boards for a long time beyond here. It gives me a foundation. There was, however a time, in which I was kind of an annoying, self important, sarcastic jerk face. 

Just a recommendation from a new friend; tell us less about your education and intelligence and just be friendly. I want to like you. I think we all do, deep down. 

Relatability is key. I'll be the first to tell you how much I have left to learn now. Ive only just met you and seen you, whether you meant to or not, self-brag. 

Keep posting. We need more people talking ball. 

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

I have a leg up, I've known people here for, in some cases, 20 years. Don't let my join date fool you, I've been a regular on Cubs boards for a long time beyond here. It gives me a foundation. There was, however a time, in which I was kind of an annoying, self important, sarcastic jerk face. 

Just a recommendation from a new friend; tell us less about your education and intelligence and just be friendly. I want to like you. I think we all do, deep down. 

Relatability is key. I'll be the first to tell you how much I have left to learn now. Ive only just met you and seen you, whether you meant to or not, self-brag. 

Keep posting. We need more people talking ball. 

That's the thing, I guess. This post was not meant to self-brag, and I am sorry if it came off that way--I'm a literary weirdo dude, I guess, which is rare in the baseball world. 

I can be friendly if I can relate to other people, and you seem like someone I can relate to. The same thing for that Matt O. dude; he seems to enjoy baseball history a lot.

Regardless, the fact that you actually said a nice thing makes me want to stay. I thought about going; I wanted to delete my account; then I canceled it.

It's funny thinking about my reception to other forums. Most usually attack me, thinking I am an AI (happened once or twice here, but not much), question my political viewpoints (on political websites), or they actually take the time to know me and like me. Of course, the two former options are more popular, but whatever.

My opinions are generally controversial; some argue that I shouldn't be supporting the "2032 agenda," but I did anyway, which was a risky move. To clarify, I don't want to sacrifice, per se, but I do want emphasis on younger players while not sacrificing our World Series-ability during the present moment.

With this analogy, it may be surprising, but I've been thinking about it for a long time. I've always liked the Cubs because they're a disillusioned team. And as a disillusioned dude, I like that. And as a "bro," I like connecting scholarly stuff with sports. 👊

And if I really wanted to brag THAT much, I wouldn't have admitted my liking for backwards hats (the only right way to wear a hat) and put the word "dude" in my name. On other forums, I pretend I know nothing about sports so that people treat me as an intellectual (ironically, "Intellectual" is the username I usually use). But yeah, dude, that's not the case.

To start it off in a casual tone, how do you wear your hats? Backwards or forwards?

And my second question is: What do you teach?

My third question is: What do you think about my Cubs/Les Mis analogy?

[Jason Ross]

2 minutes ago, The Cubs Dude said:

That's the thing, I guess. This post was not meant to self-brag, and I am sorry if it came off that way--I'm a literary weirdo dude, I guess, which is rare in the baseball world. 

I can be friendly if I can relate to other people, and you seem like someone I can relate to. The same thing for that Matt O. dude; he seems to enjoy baseball history a lot.

Regardless, the fact that you actually said a nice thing makes me want to stay. I thought about going; I wanted to delete my account; then I canceled it.

It's funny thinking about my reception to other forums. Most usually attack me, thinking I am an AI (happened once or twice here, but not much), question my political viewpoints (on political websites), or they actually take the time to know me and like me. Of course, the two former options are more popular, but whatever.

My opinions are generally controversial; some argue that I shouldn't be supporting the "2032 agenda," but I did anyway, which was a risky move. To clarify, I don't want to sacrifice, per se, but I do want emphasis on younger players while not sacrificing our World Series-ability during the present moment.

With this analogy, it may be surprising, but I've been thinking about it for a long time. I've always liked the Cubs because they're a disillusioned team. And as a disillusioned dude, I like that. And as a "bro," I like connecting scholarly stuff with sports. 👊

And if I really wanted to brag THAT much, I wouldn't have admitted my liking for backwards hats (the only right way to wear a hat) and put the word "dude" in my name. On other forums, I pretend I know nothing about sports so that people treat me as an intellectual (ironically, "Intellectual" is the username I usually use). But yeah, dude, that's not the case.

To start it off in a casual tone, how do you wear your hats? Backwards or forwards?

And my second question is: What do you teach?

My third question is: What do you think about my Cubs/Les Mis analogy?

I wear my hats backwards because Ken Griffey Jr is the coolest human being to ever exist on a baseball field, I teach 7th and 8th grade history, and I think musicals are creepy, but I'm on a Napoleon kick (ADHD and Autism are two sides of the same coin and I got the ADHD version of neurospice) so I'll allow it. 

You're good man. Welcome. 

We are glad to have you man. Or at least I'm glad to have you. @Outshined_One was right on it; I'm a big softee. We need more people who care about the intricacies of baseball. It's a tough crowd here at times, but they're the best people. We all love baseball enough to post about it. 

[Guest]

Just now, Jason Ross said:

I wear my hats backwards because Ken Griffey Jr is the coolest human being to ever exist on a baseball field, I teach 7th and 8th grade history, and I think musicals are creepy, but I'm on a Napoleon kick (ADHD and Autism are two sides of the same coin and I got the ADHD version of neurospice) so I'll allow it. 

You're good man. Welcome. 

We are glad to have you man. Or at least I'm glad to have you. @Outshined_One was right on it; I'm a big softee. We need more people who care about the intricacies of baseball. It's a tough crowd here at times, but they're the best people. We all love baseball enough to post about it. 

Dude, I knew it was going to be history--I love history! And I don't watch musicals, but Les Mis is an awesome thing. And I do like Napoleon--ironically, Victor Hugo, the author of the book, talks extensively about the battles during the Napoleonic Wars--specifically in Belgium. For what purpose? Nothing but to entertain me, I guess!

I highly suggest you read the book--it's very historical as well and will change the way you look at things.

Backwards hats for da win!

Well, thanks, dawg! I'll stick around.

And I love ball. I used to hate it because I was pretentious and all and associated it with surface-level stuff, but this past year, I've been back at it. 👊

 

[ToolDRT]

…I love him. This is the most fun I’ve had on a message board in years. Please stay! 

[Hot Sauce]

56 minutes ago, The Cubs Dude said:

😆

I didn't even know who that was until now.

Although I think that our grammar is relatively similar. And we both seem to value education, since you had previously indicated that you're a middle school teacher.

Good luck out there, dude.

One key difference is that you're generally liked and respected, whereas I'm not.

@grassbass @Rex Buckingham@jersey cubs fan

I guess I have a general question for all of you: How do I get liked on this forum, and what should I do to be generally respected in terms of my opinions?

Tradition around here is the new guy sends a Venmo in the amount of the number of total runs scored by the Cubs in the most recent season to the first five people who explain said tradition to them. 

[Bobson Dugnutt]

1 hour ago, The Cubs Dude said:

I guess I have a general question for all of you: How do I get liked on this forum, and what should I do to be generally respected in terms of my opinions?

Many of us here have been asking ourselves that same question for two decades. If you find out, please let us know.

[Guest]

1 minute ago, Bobson Dugnutt said:

Many of us here have been asking ourselves that same question for two decades. If you find out, please let us know.

I won't find out. Each forum is a new experience, and I have to say that I was expected to have this reception initially. But as people find out, I'm not a "troll," and after a month or so, people will realize that I do have opinions to share.

The problem is the purple prose--those pseudo-intellectual words that another helpful user pointed out. I have to dial that down.

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, Hot Sauce said:

Tradition around here is the new guy sends a Venmo in the amount of the number of total runs scored by the Cubs in the most recent season to the first five people who explain said tradition to them. 

Is that true? 🤨

[Guest]

29 minutes ago, ToolDRT said:

…I love him. This is the most fun I’ve had on a message board in years. Please stay! 

If you meant that in a sarcastic way, sorry.

If you meant that in a genuine way, thanks! 👊

[Post Count Padder]

I remember when I posted on this message board when I was in high school and thought I was super smart. Now I'm 38 and still posting on this message board and realize I am not THAT smart.

Participate in discussions, have fun, don't try to "outsmart" everyone on purpose in every conversation. No poster who has done that ever stuck around and I've seen many in the last two decades. 

Welcome to the forum,

[ToolDRT]

11 minutes ago, The Cubs Dude said:

If you meant that in a sarcastic way, sorry.

If you meant that in a genuine way, thanks! 👊

Genuine. I still think you might be trolling, but either way I’m enjoying reading your posts. But I watch Frasier every night before bed and am pretentious myself so…