Thing Fifteen: Online Gaming

After some reading of random 23Thing participants' blogs to see if I'm a total wet blanket about all of this online gaming stuff, I realize that I'm not the only one who has qualms about it. Second Life in particular totally creeps me out, especially after watching the Ohio University video about all the opportunities for learning and networking at their Second Life campus. Just absurd. Why would I want to go to a less aesthetically pleasing universe? So I could fly? Well, maybe; but seriously, it's not as though most people are going to Second Life to learn. People are creating virtual lives. People are creating virtual lives. Can anyone really think of anyone who could not benefit from spending more time working on REAL relationships, real jobs, real wardrobes, real bodies? Second Life is not a game. I love the computer, and this is what I fear about the computer, and the future and young people. Humans strive to avoid reality in all sorts of different ways, and this is just another way to do it.
I think Puzzle Pirates seems like a way cooler alternative, but I really didn't want to sign up for it with my new computer. I've, many times now, managed to introduce viruses to computers even though they've been armed with the latest anti-virus shields. I'm just not willing to try it.
The upshot is that I think gaming is fine. Of course people should be able to play games, and even do Second Life if they want. If there is someone at the library willing to take the reins and trot out the program, so be it. It's just not gonna be me.