bevgray
Believer in eBooks
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2000
- Messages
- 1,411
After mulling over this thread and similar ones for the past couple of weeks, I think one of the things that really bothers me is the "it's just a game, don't take it seriously". Yes, I think most of us here are agreed that VMK is a game and not real world.
However, I think Fly, Bezoar, and others are keeping in their sights something very pertinent when they voice their concerns. It is a game that children are playing. I know it is easy on the internet to disregard the fact that there are people behind the little avatars in the usual mindset of "Whee, it's the internet wild west. I can say anything I want because it isn't 'real'." Keep in mind that in this particular case, the person behind the avatar may well be a child. A shy child, a scared child, a child who may just be venturing forth to try to interact with others.
Consequently, this cavalier shrug of "it's just a game" is rather disturbing to me since the ones who suffer from it are the ones we should be most concerned about protecting. If you feel that it is "just a game", okay. But don't impose that view on everyone else who may not be mature enough to make the distinction. Callousness is never desireable.
Fly, Bezoar, myself and others have genuine concerns regarding the perception of this game and the players and the ones who develop it. I don't think any of us are complaining about not receiving goodies or having "special" people on our friends lists because we feel left out. I believe it has more to do with the disappointment of a child that we have witnessed. Certainly, the game is in its infancy. But, this country was created out of the belief in a right to dissent, to point out flaws, to try to make things better by constructive criticism.
Those who created this lovely little world are artists, yes. But they are also programmers who, I'm sure, know as well as I do that the code can always be a little bit better; the application can be fine-tuned; the event can be handled more judiciously. If even one guest is unhappy, disappointed, discouraged, feels left out...then there is a flaw and it needs to be corrected. If these flaws are not brought to their attention via the very guests who play, then they may not be aware of them and will not address them.
However, I think Fly, Bezoar, and others are keeping in their sights something very pertinent when they voice their concerns. It is a game that children are playing. I know it is easy on the internet to disregard the fact that there are people behind the little avatars in the usual mindset of "Whee, it's the internet wild west. I can say anything I want because it isn't 'real'." Keep in mind that in this particular case, the person behind the avatar may well be a child. A shy child, a scared child, a child who may just be venturing forth to try to interact with others.
Consequently, this cavalier shrug of "it's just a game" is rather disturbing to me since the ones who suffer from it are the ones we should be most concerned about protecting. If you feel that it is "just a game", okay. But don't impose that view on everyone else who may not be mature enough to make the distinction. Callousness is never desireable.
Fly, Bezoar, myself and others have genuine concerns regarding the perception of this game and the players and the ones who develop it. I don't think any of us are complaining about not receiving goodies or having "special" people on our friends lists because we feel left out. I believe it has more to do with the disappointment of a child that we have witnessed. Certainly, the game is in its infancy. But, this country was created out of the belief in a right to dissent, to point out flaws, to try to make things better by constructive criticism.
Those who created this lovely little world are artists, yes. But they are also programmers who, I'm sure, know as well as I do that the code can always be a little bit better; the application can be fine-tuned; the event can be handled more judiciously. If even one guest is unhappy, disappointed, discouraged, feels left out...then there is a flaw and it needs to be corrected. If these flaws are not brought to their attention via the very guests who play, then they may not be aware of them and will not address them.
I am not insulting or trying to pick you apart, Fly, but feel that you need a break from the game. I know how I used to get with a particular forum I was on when I was your age and it really can affect you emotionally if you let it...especially during summer vacation when there is little to do. 
(I'm reading 1984 right now and was listening to a recording of The Marriage of Figaro, what can I say I LOVE opera!)
