A lot of people argue that there is no value in playing video games. I cannot really prove that video games have educational value. But I can say that my experience playing Dragon Age: Origins has lead me to learn a lot about myself.
The game has romance plots. Every one of the characters that joins your party will react to the actions you take and the words that you say. You will either earn or lose favor in their eyes based on whether those actions or words aligns with what they believe. As you grow closer to them, they will reveal more about themselves.
I found myself taking advantage of save games to earn the favor of the women characters in the game. Before every conversation, I would save the game. If the conversation ended in earning or losing favor, I would load the previous save and try to earn more favor or lose less favor. In essence, I do everything in my power to be on a woman's good side.
It is eerily reflected in real life. How else do you explain why I'm playing volleyball? How else do you explain why I'm driving a Prius? I hate to admit it but it's probably true, how else do you explain why I go to church?
With so much of my life being influenced by others, I start to wonder what I do for myself? What is an expression of me and what is another attempt to find a girl? If it's not an expression of me, should I stop doing it? Is all I am just going to be a reflection of the people around me? Is that enough for me?
Maybe you can find a balance between "being yourself" and "reflecting others".
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, you should always, under the surface, stay true to who you think you are. And for at least half of your day, be the person who you really are.
But allow yourself some time to submit to societal values, try these new things, and see what comes of it. It's a simple way to avoid getting stuck in a self-confident rut because it forces you to consider the world the way other people do, at least for a little bit. It's very healthy, and has a bonus of opening up a much wider range of prospective girlfriends. :)
Just make sure not to end up reflecting too much too often. There's nothing wrong trying volleyball for a while to see why other people like it. There's a problem when you dedicate your life to volleyball but still hate the sport.
And speaking of church, there was an exceptionally good (but very Christian) sermon at Tenth Church today. I'd really recommend listening to it: http://www.tenth.ca/save.php?id=230
PS. When you're blogging about materialism and serving up soup and juice for the Canadian Blood Service, is that the real you or are you just reflecting others? Or is that perhaps the real you who is slowly changing because you're reflecting others?
Did you play Dragon Age for yourself or did you get it because you were influenced by all of your friends who were addicted to it.
ReplyDeleteI like how Dragon Age brought the friends together by giving us something in common to talk about. HAHA. I felt like a nerd talking loudly about DA in the train station or in the food court. I can imagine what people think when they overhear two guys passionatly recalling how hard it was to "slay the Broodmother".
@Peter: I feel as if I'm the only one who volunteers regularly. It feels like an annoying job but it gives me satisfaction on some level. I don't feel I do it for anyone because I don't think anyone really cares that I do it and I don't broadcast it either. I think volunteering is safe.
ReplyDeleteMaterialism is definitely me. I had the wrong outlook at owning stuff. And it was me who initiated the change. I also feel like my problem is unique in my clique. How many of us are techies, have indulged in a plethora of gadgets and is now giving it up? Not many.
Maybe it's self praise. Or maybe when it's a bigger issue, or something that comes from deep down, it is more likely to truly come from myself. Who knows.
@Jason: I definitely did not get the game because my friend's were playing it. I had resolved to get it long before it was released, knowing that my friends had worked on it.
There is a chance that the speed at which I played was influenced by my friends. I wanted to catch up to you guys so that we could talk about it.
I, too, loved how we had so many conversations about DA together. I bet you so many people heard us talking about it and wanted to join in but felt socially awkward, so they refrained from doing so.
I also think we should continue this trend and all play Mass Effect 2. I know I'm buying it. Dung, too. Plus, I think it's the superior of the two new Bioware franchises. It's so much more immersive when you can hear your own character talk and the conversations aren't one sided.