Posted by Harlequin on September 1, 2000 at 11:36:01:
In Reply to: Ok...I'm I just way out of hand if I cry in RL over something that happened IC? *sob* n/t posted by Ekirhal on August 31, 2000 at 22:13:31:
I know there have been several occassions where I have let my emotions get the best of me where the MUD was concerned. I know frustration has tended to be one of the most frequent but there has been a slew of other emotions, just as strongly felt. Anyone who would tell you that feeling sad at something that happens on the MUD is just out of line as far as I am concerned... I have laughed my ass off on many an occassion at things people were doing or saying in the MUD and would chuckle at the memory of said actions for quite some time afterwards. Happiness is no less an emotion than sadness. I have felt sadness in certain circumstances as well, though never so strongly as to produce tears (though tears from me are rare enough as it is) but strongly enough to make me think on the circumstance when I was away from the MUD. Here's a few things that might indicate a danger level... 1.) If you begin to feel an unhealthy emotion towards the player behind the character (thoughts of RL violence towards a player, begin to develop a hatred of the player), you may be taking things a little too far. Back off and think about it. The actions of a particular character should in no way influence how you feel about the player. I've made several friends over the years with people who played characters my characters hated and vice versa (Aciduar, you listening? ;) ). Never let CF affect your judgement about someone RL. 2.) If you let things on the MUD influence your day to day decisions or even attitude, you might want to take a little time off. CF should be something entertaining and that should be it. If you cancel dates, duck out of work, or stop calling your mother because of the MUD, that's just not healthy. Take a walk, pop into a local pub and have a beer, go dancing, just don't let it become all consuming. 3.) Life is real, CF is not. Laughter and tears are fine but if something sad happens on the MUD and you find yourself emotionally devastated by it, you are way too addicted. It's time to begin a new hobby. Look, kiddies, it's a fun game, an addictive game, a very well made game, but in the end, it is a game. Several of the posts below speak of it as a fun pasttime and just as any other pasttime, abuse becomes addiction and if the addiction becomes too great, it becomes dangerous. Seeing as how we have never had anyone jump off a roof and try to shift into their air major form, I think everybody realizes this. So, if you know all of this, flaunt your pale skin and bloodshot eyes in front of your friends. Live your life, play the game. Don't live the game. Harlequin, wordy beyond belief at times P.S. - It's okay for me to be a guy and like the PowerPuff Girls, right?