Posted by Elmaster on April 13, 2000 at 05:06:57:
In Reply to: Two answers, and some. posted by Deliverer of Harsh Reality on April 12, 2000 at 22:15:42:
I did sit here and read your little posts, and I will start by saying that I do agree with one thing you said. CF is, in some ways like an addictive drug. It affects different people at different speeds, but to many yes, it does become highly addicting. Just look at the forum when CF crashes for more than an hour. Talk about people who need their fix.
But unfortunatly that is where my agreement ends.
More than a drug, CF is what most people like to refer to as a hobby. Something they do for fun and enjoyment. Something that somehow brings a smile to their face, allows them an escape, or merely allows them to relax. To say this is unhealthy is somewhat insane. Granted taking a five mile jog may be more physically healthy for you than an hour at your computer, but not everyone puts as much stock in their physical prowess as some people.
You also mentioned that is would be preferable for these people to go do something else with their time, such as be with friends and family. Well to begin with, you nor I have any right to tell anyone in this nation what they can and can not do with their life. But beyond that. Who says people on here have no flourishing social life? I certainly do. I have a good job, a loving girlfriend, some of the best friends a man could ask for, I have two great dogs, a new car, and am at peace with the world in general, on both a material and spiritual level. Yet, I still like to log into CF whenever I get a chance. (Which is somewhat rare nowadays due to that whole job thing)
And now to hit on a few of your other delightful points. You mentioned that the average vocabulary and grammar on CF is low. I hate to break it to ya pal, but in america in general the average vocabulary and grammar is terribly low. Hell, I have a degree from a fine University, and I still have horrid grammar. So, my point is, you have to be careful with such a blanket statement. CF is free and open to anyone. Therefore people of all ages are playing. Anyone who can read...at least a little can play. So, that bad grammar and poor roleplaying that you mentioned is to be expected to some extent. At least until you have to be approved by the gods to play. Something that probably will never happen. On another note. Cf has actually taught me a lot about computers, typing, and speed reading in general. Something that comes in handy in the computer world of today, especially in my career or network office solutions. I think I made that point, so I move on.
CF is a social environment. Just as much as one could consider a chat room a microcosm for an actual club, or the like. Technically, anytime two or more people are interacting with one another there is Social interacion taking place. And nothing is more interactive than someone cleaving you in twain with a big friggin axe! But, as Nepenthe like to say, I digress (or something).
Now we get into a deeper question on the meaning of life. You make the arguement that people who play CF are not living their life to their full potential. Through my life I have been taught and came to understand that the meaning of life is to:
1. Breath for as long as possible.
2. Have a good time, it wont last forever.
Now we consider that those two goals are not the same for everyone in the world. But since I am speaking in this in a personal sense I will stick with myself, and let other speak up on this. In what way does playing cf a few hours on the weekend prevent either one of those things from coming to fruition? If you can see a way, that is not so convoluted that it is merely silly, than please by all means enlighten me.
Lets see if you can follow this simple equation.
TO ME.
CF = fun
therefore CF+ME+2hrs+3DietCokes-Work-Taxes-stress+entertainment= Enriching experience.
See...it is not so difficult. I know I do not speak for myself when I say, CF brings a much needed stress relief to my life. Just as playing a sport would to you.
By the way...before you take off on your out of shape/lazy computer geek rant. I am/was an athlete, before running cross country caused permanant damage to my right knee and lower leg making it overwhelmingly difficult to run now for more than 100 yards. I hike, fish, camp, hunt, cycle, swim, and do some personal excercises each night before bed. Since college I have lost 50 pounds. Yet...or dear, I still play CF!
While fishing I have gotten a hook shoved through my finger.
While hunting I have sliced my leg on a tree limb.
While running I have torn my knee up, ruined my shin muscles, and nearly snapped my ankle on multiple occasions.
While camping I have sprained an ankle.
While playing cf....I got a cramp in my wrist.
My point is, CF is pretty damn healthy if looked at right. Heh.
Onto the next point you so blatantly hit only half of.
You mention that if you were a writer the last thing you would want to do in your free time is write, or sit at a desk. If this is the case you are a sad person. In life we should all seek out the profession that fits with that which we most greatly enjoy. (If I can find a job that pays me to drink beer and fish I will be in heaven.) I am actually jealous of the people that love writing so much they are willing to spend their free time doing it. They have been blessed with the ability to do what they love doing. If you love what you do for a living there is no such thing as vacation.
Another point you miss. You mention how little people in CF read! I think you state it somewhat like "they only read descriptions and short text" or something to that effect. Well, I hate to break it to ya bud, but from my experience, CF players are the most well versed people I have met. To be more general, those who like CF normally have a fabulous sense of imagination. Therefore they love expanding their minds, therefore reading comes natural. I personally dont read as much as I should. But ask any of the other players what the last book they read was...I think you will be surprised by what you hear. Most of them have not only read all the major fantasy novels of our time, but also extremely versed in the classics of shakespeare, aristotle, socrates, Greek and Roman mythology, ancient history, modern history, the arts, the sciences, and the great theological and sociological minds in history. Now I challenge you. Write a post, and ask those who view this page to list all of the books they have read over the past month. Now go to your local gym and ask the patrons to do likewise. You may be well suprised at what you see.
This has been much longer than I had expected. But my overall point is this. We are in America (for the most part). We are allowed to do what we wish with our lives. Some of us have fallen in love with CF, and some of us have not. I wish you the best in your physical activities, and hope you remain strong and healthy for years to come. We all lead our own lives. Therefore we all have the ability to choose what we wish to do. Your OPINION on how we should all live is fine. But voicing it in such a way as to attack our hobby is not only rude, but misinformed.
All in all...if you dont like it leave, if you dont like us, dont talk to us, if you have an opinion, understand that it is just an opinion.
Rant off.
Alex.
PS. If you read this far, you missed about 15 minutes of good solid workout time. What are you doing wasting your life away in front of a computer screen. You should turn off your computer, burn down your house, and run into the wilderness and enjoy life as it was meant to be! Wipe your arse with a leaf, dance naked in the poison ivy! Have fun!