Reality, I am your Champion
Monday, February 7, 2011 at 11:59PM So it's been a weird few weeks where the confluence of a few separate things have created something interesting. And yes, being from Pittsburgh I'm required by law to use the word confluence 70% more of the time then people from elsewhere in the world.
First, a buddy of mine, Sam Van Eman, linked me to a TED talk give by Jane McGonigal on how gaming can make a better world. You must go watch this video right now. If you haven't, in a nutshell Jane says that games, if used in the right way, can transform the many ills of the world into something better; that gaming is in an infancy as a vehicle for good. It may sound like lofty ideas, and some of her theories do seem that way, but she presents a good case. I bought her book, I found she was speaking at Pax East, and having decided 3 days earlier I had the money to go but it would be better spent elsewhere bought a ticket to Pax and found a hotel room.
I self identify as a gamer. It's not what I do, it's who I am. Almost all of my friends I have today I either met through or reinforced my friendship with though games, online and off. Maybe Jane's theories are too far out there, but the truth of the matter is I want, I almost need her vision of the world to be true, as it validates my hobbies that many in the world would otherwise simply see as a waste of time.
Then today I came across a post on the blog A Terrible Idea titled I Am Your Champion. I am writing this Monday night, so all I know about this game is this: pick a cause, a non-profit of some sort, and publicly declare your intention to be their champion. More rules to come every day for the next week.
I have no idea what is to come. I don't know if this is a scam of some sort, a publicity stunt for the blog's other games, or an honest social experiment game to see what people are willing to do to support a cause they believe in, a cause they feel they deserve the title 'Champion' for. But I have gone and picked a cause, Make Room for Kids, that puts game systems, games and videos into the local children's hospital for a few reasons. First, making a kid of any age who has to lose days of their childhood hooked to machines smile, to allow them to forget what ever sickness or disease is thrust upon them and remind them, is a noble cause. Second, I am already involved in something to support Make Room for Kids this Friday, earning one of the late night slots to play video games with Chachi, who is gaming for 24 hours as a fund raiser. And third, in some poetic way, playing a game to make people more aware of a program to get games to children who need it most just seems right in some grand cosmic scale.
Or maybe it's just the way I unlock some sort of universal achievement, but still, the point is made....
Michael Hasko
Make Room for Kids has met its goal for the year, so I am going to chamipon Child's Play. Same idea, games for sick kids, larger scale.
Reader Comments (3)
bvlgari replica hermes kelly replica One swallow does not make a summer.replica omega seamaster replica tory burch handbags
bvlgari replica replica vacheron constantin
One swallow does not make a summer.hermes kelly replica tag heuer formula replica
There undoubtedly new nike shoesare Air Jordan 7a few problems females are really passionate Cheap Nike Retro Jordanabout other than their family. They are their makeup, house decor and footwear. There are some, who are Nike Jordan 1passionate about coach purses, louis vuitton outlet, evening bags, totes, satchels, Discount Nike Shoes Onlineshoulder bags, etc. The financial meltdown has impacted buying sprees of shopaholics, but that does not Jordan accoladesmean, we cannot stay in fashion. using the customized coach purse for less, we are able to Buy Discount Vibrams Five Fingers Shoesnevertheless do that.If you are one of the lucky ones, your employerVibram FiveFingers Classic may be offering an MFSA in your benefitsHot Nike Shoes On Sale package. New Nike Shoes On SaleAn MFSA allows you to put aside money from your Air Jordan 4 Maxpre-taxed paycheck to be used on medical expenses during Michael Jordan 6 Ringsthe calendar year.