Comments on: Shepherd’s Pie: Fourth Helping

By: Darren G. Miller

Darren G. Miller — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:58:39 +0000

@TK – Okay, I get that a little more. Like vicarious growth.

By: TK

TK — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 06:27:02 +0000

Maybe I'm being too figurative; the most important point though, is that "fictitious" experiences are some of the most important learning and growing experiences I have ever had. They are so important that I scarcely count them as "fictitious"; hence the confusion a lot of people experience when I try to talk to people about them.

By: Darren G. Miller

Darren G. Miller — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:14:11 +0000

@TK – I'm not sure that I understand what you're saying. It is a fascinating concept though, of fantasy grounding you more firmly in reality.

By: TK

TK — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:28:10 +0000

Ironic. I find so often that games, although they are an escape, plant me more firmly in reality.

I might be flying at 80% c past a battle station that is being sucked into a black hole, and yet still be learning deep truths. The person in the copilot seat is a long time friend, a real relationship; the battle station was destroyed due to a tragic mistake, a consequence of hubris; I'm being chased by a powerful enemy because I was too trusting and let the wrong person get too close...

I'm sure you already know what I'm talking about; I just wanted to say it.

By: Darren G. Miller

Darren G. Miller — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:44:05 +0000

I'm curious to hear how he likes Alan Wake. I'm a horror junkie, so I loved it.

I think many people play games to do just that, escape. Games are, by nature, an escapist hobby. But like any escapist activity, be it drinking, gambling, gaming or whatever, can be taken to unhealthy extremes. It would be a bad thing to choose any of them over healthy friendships and activities with family and friends. Balance is the key. Everything should be taken in moderation, even work.

And I do believe that you can find true relationships through virtual media, but it is a rare occurrence.

By: tammy

tammy — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 03:00:21 +0000

Nhan's looking forward to RDR – and you just nailed it with the description. He just got Alan Wake for his birthday.

I think too many people using games to escape their own lives, as some sort of sublimation of things they don't want to deal with head-on. In that case it rather corrupts the nature of that balance you talk about. I know plenty of people who think friendships forged through MMORPGs are real. IMHO, that's a bit wacked. And while I understand that friendships CAN be forged (after all, I met my husband online in 1993) through a virtual medium, I wish more people DID mind the balance issue.