Blog #2: Second Skin

The documentary "Second Skin" deeply disturbed me, mainly that people spend so much time and money playing these games, to the point where they are losing their jobs, homes, and loved ones.  The way these people's lives are affected is similar to if they were addicted to drugs or alcohol, there is even one part of the documentary where they discuss a 12 step program for gamers that was taken from directly from the program set up for alcoholics because both diseases are so similar.  To even have to go as far as have a half-way house for gamers who need to get their lives back in order is astounding to me.  That someone would let their lives fall apart so far because of gaming that they needed a place to get back on their feet is unimaginable.  I'll be the first to admit that I enjoy playing video games, when Call of Duty: Black Ops first came out my brother and I played almost everyday.  The difference is that we played when we had free time, and then it was only an hour or so maybe at a time.  Not 13 hours like the documentary said most gamers play per day.

At the beginning of the documentary there is a quote which when I first read it I thought it was ridiculous, but after watching the documentary I honestly believe it to be true.  The quote was "These computers on our desks are turning into portals to other realms of existence... realms that will one day be preferred to earth."  The idea that people would rather live in a video game world than the real world to me is sad, that these people could go days or weeks on end if they wanted without going outside is pathetic.  Or when they actually do go outside all they see is the graphics from the game, and everything else is blurry?  Personally I think this is incredibly sad that these people have lost that ability to enjoy the world around them.  I love the outdoors and believe there is nothing in this world that is more beautiful than the natural world around us.  To not be able to go outside and see that beauty anymore is extremely sad to me.

It also shocked me how global the MMORPG world is, considering how I had never heard of any of these games, besides World of War Craft.  The fact that people's jobs in China are to play these games and collect gold or other items that people in America want for their game and will pay actual money for it is ridiculous.  This just shows how America is a nation of consumers, and honestly no wonder no one likes us! We pay people to play video games and collect fake gold, while people in other countries are starving because they can't afford food.  The fact that this is even a legitimate problem makes me afraid for the world.