I found this on a website, thought it may prove interesting.
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It was seen on CNN's website. A young man was found dead. Beside him was a .22 gun and his computer, both of which were the cause of his death. The man played the online game Ever Quest, and it was his life. Literally. when his mom took away his computer, the man moved out, got a job, for the pure purpose of getting his own machine and play the game. When some of his online "treasure" from the game was stolen, the man shot himself.
Like all forms of entertainment, the fantasy setting is often used as escapism. People can leave their troubles on earth and enter a different world, be a different person, with abilities they may or may not have. In some cases however, one becomes too emerged within the realm, and it alters their sense of Reality. Somehow, in someway, the line was crossed. Where is that line? The line where storytelling and the fantastic breach one's sense of Reality and dominates one's life? What could poscess one to end their life when someone steals their treasure on an online game? One can probably make the valid claim that the person had psychological and mental issues beforehand, but that fails to explain the alleged "normal" people who fall to the wayside. Stories of the popular game Dungeons and Dragons are also turning up, with people unable to separate the fictional realm from their perception of Reality.
Perhaps it's people's self-esteem. In one world they are "nobodies", but in another they have "cosmic powers" or somesuch. Maybe it's because they spend too much time in one world, rather than another. Could it be the negative effects of the occult and magic found in such games? Those things are quite powerful, and can bind a person. Maybe the games unwillingly attack the sub-conscience of a person, drawing them away from things that usually require their attention. Or could it be the maker's fault? Prolonged periods without save points meaning yet more time playing.
To be blunt; I don't know the answer. As a player of the Final Fantasy series of console games, and as an accomplished writer in the fantastic, I find such things disturbing. I know for myself that the line was not crossed, but could it have affected my in some way on a sub-conscience level? And even worse, could people have been drawn into the realm I created with my writing, and be unable to separate fact from fiction? I have stopped writing the fantastic for now, and currently staying away from games like Final Fantasy. Until I can answer these questions, it all stops. My conscience needs to be appeased.
The usual sig has been removed for the remainder of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in favor of something else which deserves some spotlight.
Banded together from remote galaxies are 13 of the most sinister villains of all-time: The Legion of Doom. Dedicated to a single objective: the conquest of the universe.
Did you read the whole article? This guy had a SLEW of problems. Just because some whack-o tried to shoot Reagan after watching Taxi Driver doesn't mean Martin Scorsece and Jodie Foster should stop making movies.
I actually felt bad for reading the article, because I kept laughing. The person who wrote the article made the kid and his mom out to be complete jokes. I went into more detail in the "Am I a complete bastard..." thread.
"Words to memorize. Words hypnotize. Words make my mouth exercise. Words all fail the magic prize. Nothing I can say when I'm in your thighs."
Parts Unknown, one of the books I co-wrote is in the process of being published, It's called 'After the Hero: A Curious Tale' . I was the process of writing the first book in a trilogy (before my recent thoughts) and I have some other works that never made it to the publishers because I wasn't happy with them (sent them to some writing critics instead and they loved them though).
The kid in the article in question did have a wackload of other problems, but what of the people who alledgidly have no problems and wind up getting into crazy stuff? Remember back when kids used to fall in sewars cause they thought mutant turtles where there? Or how about those people who think they can fly ike Superman? What I'm curious to know, is what draws people to these things to the point where it warps some of their minds and alters their sense of Reality, how they gradually fail to seperate non-fiction from the fantastic.
The usual sig has been removed for the remainder of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in favor of something else which deserves some spotlight.
Originally posted by El NastioRemember back when kids used to fall in sewars cause they thought mutant turtles where there? Or how about those people who think they can fly ike Superman? What I'm curious to know, is what draws people to these things to the point where it warps some of their minds and alters their sense of Reality, how they gradually fail to seperate non-fiction from the fantastic.
Because they aren't properly taught the differences between fantasy and reality. It's really a case of poor parenting. One of the things that was brought up repeatedly in most of my j-school coursework dealing with the mass media and the public was the instance of a family on a soap opera becoming destitute, homeless and out of work in the storylines. The network, CBS IIRC, received hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, checks, food and clothing for this "family."
At some point a GOOD parent should set their child aside and say "You know, you can't really fly like Superman. That's not real." It's obviously apparent that this wasn't the case with a number of instances -- like the Turtles example you cited above.
Originally posted by El NastioThe thing is, Papercuts, is that people are of the Age of Reason inregards to the fantastic. Is poor parenting an aspect of this as well?
You're gonna have to make your point a little more clear for me. I'm not understanding what you mean.
Doesn't this also dovetail nicely into wrestling? Hey, Kids, Don't Try This At Home.
Banded together from remote galaxies are 13 of the most sinister villains of all-time: The Legion of Doom. Dedicated to a single objective: the conquest of the universe.
Wow odessasteps, that puts it in a whole new light, considering I've - 1. Delivered a DDT to a kid in a weight room and knocked him out 2. Tombstoned my friend's cousin 3. Put my wife in the Sharpshooter 4. Been the recipient of a Figure Four
Maybe I'M an idiot! NAH
YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME!?! - The immortal, chilling words of...The Shockmaster!
Personally, I wouldn't lump shenanigans into said category. I was referring more to backyard wrestling knuckleheads.
I'm sure we all have done stupid things like piledriven friends in the living room or similar asenine behavior.
Banded together from remote galaxies are 13 of the most sinister villains of all-time: The Legion of Doom. Dedicated to a single objective: the conquest of the universe.
That's not too bad. I actually did a wrestling Shakespeare scene for my final in English class once. As stupid as it was, my friends never saw me the same way again.
Oh, God, yes, let us PLEASE bring back the antiquated idea about games=satanism. Sigh.
Really, I thought people had long since realized that games do not lead to antisocial behaviour. Rather, it seems that, when such behaviour appears, someone will "connect the dots" and draw the conclusion that the GAME had something to do with it. It's like blaming credit-card debt on Monopoly.
The vast majority of gamers are socially-well adapted individuals. Heck, the vast majority of the general population is. But, once in a while, someone will do something stupid and, thereby, bring doubt on whatever associated sub-group fear-mongers want to point the finger at. (see that Jack Chick tract, infamous amongst roleplayers (and SO funny))
While we're at it, let's blame heavy metal, television, the news media, and fast food. Hell, let's blame the entire culture for giving rise to the problem of suicide, endemic to the world's population. (yes, this paragraph is as sarcastic as "A Reasonable Proposal")
To end, games don't make socially disaffected people. People make socially disaffected people.
...ahem, not to be an ass or anything, but as a huge fan of sealab 2021 (and somewhat of a great literature fan), I'll safely assume ScreamingHeadGuy meant, "A Modest Proposal".
"Words to memorize. Words hypnotize. Words make my mouth exercise. Words all fail the magic prize. Nothing I can say when I'm in your thighs."