How about Apple use some of that pocket change they have laying around and do a little hostile takeover of Kodak. Then Steve Jobs can use their ancient camaras as target practice with his iSlate gesture controlled laser mounted sharks?
The point the author in the article was making is that in RPGs, advancement is INEVITABLE, unlike in action games, or puzzle games. So in actuality, where has the player learned by experiencing failure in an RPG if the game continues? Die in the game? Just resurrect and continue collecting exp.
Did you read the article? He ended with this little gem:
Imagine you were watching Lord of the Rings, but there was something wrong with your DVD player and you had to manually advance scenes by hitting a button. And you might have to watch the Battle of the Pelennor Fields a few times before you could make it past the Battle of the Black Gate. Periodically Sam or Aragorn would turn to another character and say something like, "You are so brave and heroic for coming along and helping me. I couldn't do this without you." But these moments would always be filmed in perspective shots, with the characters speaking directly to the camera.
Would you roll your eyes, wishing they'd get on with it? Or would you feel a small but uncontrollable flush of pride? And what would it say about you if you did?"
Now tell me that doesn't just sum up most RPGs and definitely ALL MMORPGS. Granted, there are a few great rpgs out there that have a decent plot, such Baldurs gate.... but even these games tended to wade into the banal the territory the author of this article describes.
I think we can all agree that RPGs are fun, for many reasons. I still like playing the odd rpg. IMO I wouldn't touch a MMORPG with a 10 foot pole as I know I'm prone to falling into the trap the author describes.
The article isn't about not appreciating RPGs, its about realizing on an individual level how they impact and manipulate our personality. Once we become aware of why we act the way we do, we can become wiser. Otherwise, we are just doomed to be slaves to the game.... or are we already?
There was a story out the other day saying that 50% of the people being born now in developed countries will reach age 100.
So Speak for yourself if you want to jump off a bridge at 85. I work with several incredibly bright people who are in their mid 70's who still travel the world. With the advent of information technology we can even do our work without being physically active, just a computer and internet access.
By the time I turn 85 in the 2050's, it will be the new 55! I'll race you to the top of the mountain.
Quite true. If China's leadership has the balls to take climate change seriously, they could well lead the world in renewable technology this century. Of course, China is currently suffering from massive droughts in their northern provinces, water shortages elsewhere, and massive pollution (which is slowly but surely increasing medical problems for their massive populations). It is in their best interest for political stability to improve their efficiency in how they utilize energy. At least in China, they don't need to deal with the whims of lawyers and others with personal agendas, could this be a competitive advantage?
So you have ruined the global economy through frivolous waste and fraud, perpetrated wars that have caused the deaths of over a million people in recent years, and now just when you elect someone to be your leader who has the semblance of common sense, there is a push by "the usual suspects" to push back human progress by decades. It is true that the US is the last best hope of humanity, for China builds the equivalent of a coal plant every week. If the US does not act to reduce the 'carbon footprint' of humanity, we are all going to be fucked. The atmosphere will be un-breathable, the trees will be gone, desertification will take the rest of our water, and the oceans will be reduced to vast life-less voids of acid. Will Americans overcome their innate fear and ignorance to reclaim leadership of the free world? Stay-tuned.
In a world that is increasingly connected; where slavery and human trafficking are increasing; one has to draw a line somewhere in the sand to mark where civilization ends and barbarism begins... don't you think?
But its true. Consider...if the iphone had tanked, there is a good chance that not only Jobs would be out of a Job but that Apple could be out of luck as well. The CEO can take all the glory but they also take all the blame.
I think that keeping a bird as a pet is quite possibly one of the most cruel things in this world.
These creatures were meant to fly free in their native rain forests, not to languish in cages, regardless of your anthropomorphizing. I've been working in East Africa for the past several years and have seen first hand the results of the horrible practices of raiding the last few intact habitats for the pet trade. Everything is for sale, from exotic fresh water fish, to birds, rare butterflies, pretty much anything and everything. This trade contributes and hastens the destruction of these habitats forever.
In Kenya I used to marvel at the diversity of exotic birds that congregated in my garden, from the majestic eagles and kites, to the brightly coloured sunbirds, the odd Ibis or Kingfisher.
Then I had an idiot neighbor that had some kind of parrot locked up in a cage that would squauk all day, poor bastard. Parrots in Kenya are becoming rarer and rarer...all because some people on the other side of the world think its cool to "own" one.
Speak for yourself. I'm saving up to freeze my head so I can be 'reanimated' to start a new career in early 21st century pop culture in the head museum.
Dr. Nick: Instead of making sandwiches with bread, use pop tarts. Instead of chewing gum, chew bacon.
Bart: You could brush your teeth with milkshakes.
Dr. Nick: Hey, did you go to Hollywood Upstairs Medical College too?
-----
Homer: So you think you know better than this family, eh? Well as long as you're in my house you'll do what I do and believe what I believe! So butter your bacon!
Bart: Yes father.
Lisa: Mom, dad, my spiritual quest is over!
Homer: Hold that thought... Bacon up that sausage, boy!
There are a few Asians who appear to control most things at first glance, but it is the political puppet masters who pull their strings (majority of which are Kenyans from the old regime. Of course, its kept hush hush for obvious reasons...
I lived/worked in Kenya for 2 years - in recent times.
Corruption is not just rife, its a way of life. Police are the worst. However, one can avoid most corruption by learning how to work the system. Particularly it is possible to get things done by getting to know the right people.
Nairobi has a growth rate of 5% a year, perhaps more. It will be a mega city in 20 years. The fact is that you can either look at IT competence, lack of safety, or rampant corruption as a negative, or you can look at it as an emerging market that has tremendous possibilities. The risk is great, but the potential payoff is equally so.
And yes the fast food does suck, why would any sane person eat fast food in kenya? They have the freshes vegetables (many are exported to europe), some of the best coffee, and excellent locally raised beef/chicken.
Kenya is currently in negotiation with UAE to build (FINALLY) the first Fibre optic line ($110 million)(which will connect Kenya to Oman and the rest of the world ushering in a new era of cheap high speed internet...as opposed to relying on expensive vsat technology. Only then will data centres, voip ect... become universal. Perhaps Google is anticipating the next stage of the ICT revolution in E.Africa that will happen when the government finally (hopefully) builds the line in a year or so (negotiations are still being held up for the time being). More info here http://allafrica.com/stories/200706251543.html
[p]
I'm in Dar es Salaam ATM using the so called 'free' wireless' in my hotel room and its dreadfully slow (atleast it works). The fibre optic line will be heaven!
Slashdot Mirror
Universities and colleges all have strong wifi coverage
wait for Rev. B!
Apple will sell millions.
And Apple will sell millions of these things.
Live in a house boat. They float. An chicks dig house boats.
How about Apple use some of that pocket change they have laying around and do a little hostile takeover of Kodak. Then Steve Jobs can use their ancient camaras as target practice with his iSlate gesture controlled laser mounted sharks?
The point the author in the article was making is that in RPGs, advancement is INEVITABLE, unlike in action games, or puzzle games. So in actuality, where has the player learned by experiencing failure in an RPG if the game continues? Die in the game? Just resurrect and continue collecting exp.
Imagine you were watching Lord of the Rings, but there was something wrong with your DVD player and you had to manually advance scenes by hitting a button. And you might have to watch the Battle of the Pelennor Fields a few times before you could make it past the Battle of the Black Gate. Periodically Sam or Aragorn would turn to another character and say something like, "You are so brave and heroic for coming along and helping me. I couldn't do this without you." But these moments would always be filmed in perspective shots, with the characters speaking directly to the camera.
Would you roll your eyes, wishing they'd get on with it? Or would you feel a small but uncontrollable flush of pride? And what would it say about you if you did?"
Now tell me that doesn't just sum up most RPGs and definitely ALL MMORPGS. Granted, there are a few great rpgs out there that have a decent plot, such Baldurs gate.... but even these games tended to wade into the banal the territory the author of this article describes.
I think we can all agree that RPGs are fun, for many reasons. I still like playing the odd rpg. IMO I wouldn't touch a MMORPG with a 10 foot pole as I know I'm prone to falling into the trap the author describes.
The article isn't about not appreciating RPGs, its about realizing on an individual level how they impact and manipulate our personality. Once we become aware of why we act the way we do, we can become wiser. Otherwise, we are just doomed to be slaves to the game. ... or are we already?
I just do eyes. Just - just eyes. Just genetic design. Just eyes!
So Speak for yourself if you want to jump off a bridge at 85. I work with several incredibly bright people who are in their mid 70's who still travel the world. With the advent of information technology we can even do our work without being physically active, just a computer and internet access.
By the time I turn 85 in the 2050's, it will be the new 55! I'll race you to the top of the mountain.
Please mod parent up.
Quite true. If China's leadership has the balls to take climate change seriously, they could well lead the world in renewable technology this century. Of course, China is currently suffering from massive droughts in their northern provinces, water shortages elsewhere, and massive pollution (which is slowly but surely increasing medical problems for their massive populations). It is in their best interest for political stability to improve their efficiency in how they utilize energy. At least in China, they don't need to deal with the whims of lawyers and others with personal agendas, could this be a competitive advantage?
So you have ruined the global economy through frivolous waste and fraud, perpetrated wars that have caused the deaths of over a million people in recent years, and now just when you elect someone to be your leader who has the semblance of common sense, there is a push by "the usual suspects" to push back human progress by decades. It is true that the US is the last best hope of humanity, for China builds the equivalent of a coal plant every week. If the US does not act to reduce the 'carbon footprint' of humanity, we are all going to be fucked. The atmosphere will be un-breathable, the trees will be gone, desertification will take the rest of our water, and the oceans will be reduced to vast life-less voids of acid. Will Americans overcome their innate fear and ignorance to reclaim leadership of the free world? Stay-tuned.
But they have conjugal visits right?...
In a world that is increasingly connected; where slavery and human trafficking are increasing; one has to draw a line somewhere in the sand to mark where civilization ends and barbarism begins... don't you think?
Buy high, sell low!
Now I'll be able to get my Britney Spears fix from one source instead of two.
But its true. Consider...if the iphone had tanked, there is a good chance that not only Jobs would be out of a Job but that Apple could be out of luck as well. The CEO can take all the glory but they also take all the blame.
These creatures were meant to fly free in their native rain forests, not to languish in cages, regardless of your anthropomorphizing. I've been working in East Africa for the past several years and have seen first hand the results of the horrible practices of raiding the last few intact habitats for the pet trade. Everything is for sale, from exotic fresh water fish, to birds, rare butterflies, pretty much anything and everything. This trade contributes and hastens the destruction of these habitats forever.
In Kenya I used to marvel at the diversity of exotic birds that congregated in my garden, from the majestic eagles and kites, to the brightly coloured sunbirds, the odd Ibis or Kingfisher.
Then I had an idiot neighbor that had some kind of parrot locked up in a cage that would squauk all day, poor bastard. Parrots in Kenya are becoming rarer and rarer...all because some people on the other side of the world think its cool to "own" one.
so I don't have long to wait! ;)
Speak for yourself. I'm saving up to freeze my head so I can be 'reanimated' to start a new career in early 21st century pop culture in the head museum.
Fine. I'll go build my own movie! With blackjack! And hookers! In fact, forget the movie and the blackjack! Ah, screw the whole thing.
Bart: You could brush your teeth with milkshakes.
Dr. Nick: Hey, did you go to Hollywood Upstairs Medical College too?
-----
Homer: So you think you know better than this family, eh? Well as long as you're in my house you'll do what I do and believe what I believe! So butter your bacon!
Bart: Yes father.
Lisa: Mom, dad, my spiritual quest is over!
Homer: Hold that thought... Bacon up that sausage, boy!
Bart: But dad, my heart hurts!
There are a few Asians who appear to control most things at first glance, but it is the political puppet masters who pull their strings (majority of which are Kenyans from the old regime. Of course, its kept hush hush for obvious reasons...
Corruption is not just rife, its a way of life. Police are the worst. However, one can avoid most corruption by learning how to work the system. Particularly it is possible to get things done by getting to know the right people.
Nairobi has a growth rate of 5% a year, perhaps more. It will be a mega city in 20 years. The fact is that you can either look at IT competence, lack of safety, or rampant corruption as a negative, or you can look at it as an emerging market that has tremendous possibilities. The risk is great, but the potential payoff is equally so.
And yes the fast food does suck, why would any sane person eat fast food in kenya? They have the freshes vegetables (many are exported to europe), some of the best coffee, and excellent locally raised beef/chicken.
They don't call it Nairobbery for nothin... ;0)
Kenya is currently in negotiation with UAE to build (FINALLY) the first Fibre optic line ($110 million)(which will connect Kenya to Oman and the rest of the world ushering in a new era of cheap high speed internet...as opposed to relying on expensive vsat technology. Only then will data centres, voip ect... become universal. Perhaps Google is anticipating the next stage of the ICT revolution in E.Africa that will happen when the government finally (hopefully) builds the line in a year or so (negotiations are still being held up for the time being). More info here http://allafrica.com/stories/200706251543.html [p] I'm in Dar es Salaam ATM using the so called 'free' wireless' in my hotel room and its dreadfully slow (atleast it works). The fibre optic line will be heaven!