One of the more recent crazes to hit the streets in the gaming world has been Pokémon Go. In the first week alone of its release, it soon became one of the most downloaded apps ever and later it hit another record, the fastest app to reach $500 million in revenue. Computer games are nothing new but Pokémon Go, a type of augmented reality game, is far more than what it first appears to be.
Augmented reality games blend digital content into the real world, blurring the line between the physical world and the game world. Your eyes are scanning from the screen of your phone and then back to your surroundings. Your feet are walking, your body is moving, but your focus is elsewhere. Your mission is to find and catch small creatures that enter your ‘real world’ via your screen.
The main objective of the game is to walk to an identified physical place in your area and collect objects (Pokémon) with your smart phone by catching, throwing, trading and battling.
As someone who works with the body and movement, I was curious to learn more about this game. Not out of any interest in playing, but because of the potential risks involved in combining a game that asks players to focus on something on a mobile device, while at the same time walking and moving about. This is a whole new level of distraction that is now being actively encouraged.
The first time I saw Pokémon in use was while observing a young boy in my local town aimlessly walking along, moving his phone around in mid air, completely disconnected from his surroundings. What got my attention was that this type of behaviour appeared to go unnoticed by others. Whether it’s a child playing a game as they walk along or an adult texting or reading an email on the move, it has become commonplace for these kinds of distractions to be an accepted everyday occurrence. So much so that we don’t even question it, or consider how unfocussed and scattered this leaves us, not to mention the after effects of being so distracted and disconnected from our body.
Pokémon Go’s objective is for players to be constantly on the move as they play. Immediately, a player is distracted and is operating on auto-pilot. This is not only dangerous and can, and has, caused serious accidents since the game’s release, but add to that factor the physical movement required, and this game soon becomes something else entirely.
Physical movement is a science in itself and one that is rarely considered in its everyday context, or in relation to games such as this. Serge Benhayon, a complementary health and healing practitioner, presents an understanding and awareness of the body from an energetic perspective. In 1999 Serge Benhayon founded Esoteric Yoga, a form of Yoga that introduces the fact of energy and how each and every movement is a magnification of the energy or quality that we are in. This awareness of energy can change our relationship with our body and build a greater understanding of the effect energy and movement actually has on our state of health and well being.
Each time we move, whether that is bending, twisting, turning, walking and so on, we magnify and distribute energy throughout our entire body. Every step we take sends back the energy we sent down to our feet. And so it goes, up and down and around and around (Benhayon, 2011). Every movement is therefore a movement of energy and this travels in and through our body and, as such, our body receives the impact of the quality of each and every move.
If we walk or move our body in a harsh, hard or abrupt way, this is the quality of energy that travels through every part of our body, meeting every organ and body system, right down to the cellular level. Equally, if we move with presence and in a way that holds an awareness and care for our body, this is the energy that is received and distributed throughout our whole body.
Then, consider for a moment, what is actually taking place if we walk around unfocussed and distracted by a game, or anything for that matter, unaware of the fact that we are even moving, let alone the quality of that movement. What state does this actually leave someone in? Checked out, distracted, scattered, unfocussed… all of which are far from our natural state of being, which is to be present, aware and focussed with an inner stillness and harmony.
With this basic understanding of the science of movement, any game that incorporates a level of distraction combined with physical movement is not as innocent as it may first appear.
And yet there is more…
The nature of this augmented reality game means that, as you play, you provide uninterrupted use of your location and camera. This means that there is also another objective to this game – each player is effectively a gateway to an unlimited source of data gathering.
Further research on this topic of data gathering uncovers a patent, held by the company behind Pokémon Go, directly linking the game’s objective to data collection. The patent “System and Method for Transporting Virtual Objects in a Parallel Reality Game” discusses at length how a game such as Pokémon Go could be used to collect real-world data from a player without them knowing it (Hank et al., 2015). The patent also references an academic paper that states, “In our opinion, the real challenge lies in motivating the user to provide the data constantly, even after the exciting appeal of technological innovation at the beginning wears off. We are convinced that entertainment and fun are an important design aspect of such data collecting services.” (Matyas, 2007)
It is always worth looking behind a product or service to see what the real intention is and what we as consumers are buying into. When the aim of the game is distraction, combined with physical movement, along with a hidden intention to collect data, we all need to ask ourselves what are we actually investing in and what are we giving our children or are part of ourselves? Is it just a game, or is there more to this than meets the eye?
By Vicky Geary
References:
- Benhayon, S. (2011). Esoteric Teachings and Revelations: A New Study for Mankind. Australia: UniMed Publishing.
- Hank, J.V., Augin, M.A., Kornmann, D., Milner, M., & Stern, L. (2015). S. Patent No. 8968099. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved from: System and method for transporting virtual objects in a parallel reality game
- Matyas, S. (2007). Playful Geospatial Data Acquisition by Location-based Gaming Communities. IJVR, 6, 1-10.
Further Reading:
Autopilot: The case of the wandering mind
Rediscovering Our Body’s Lovely Flow
Connection to self through conscious presence
698 Comments
Thank you Vicky for exposing the real purpose behind this game and how it was dressed up as something to promote healthy activity. There is nothing healthy about it and it furthers extends the available distractions that have tragic consequences not just in the amount of accidents but in the long term harm to participants ability to interact with others in a truly connected way.
A super and much needed blog Vicky. Bringing in the science of movement and energy is super helpful in becoming aware of what it is we are choosing when we are seduced by such games. As a parent and teacher I have long observed the effects of video games on children. In my own childhood I remember playing a version of them called Donkey Kong (no computers in those days). I utterly disliked how it made me feel in my body as I remember feeling an anxiousness and tension when playing and so I didn’t play with it for long. In those days there wasn’t so much of a pull to disconnect with games as there is today as there was far less of it around, so it is so important that as parents we take the time to ask our children how playing these games honestly make them feel so that they can confirm their own awareness of what is going on for them, empowering them to make different choices.
Great article Vicky. It’s true that we don’t look at or read the purpose BEHIND computer games, the true values of the brands we buy and objectives of the people behind these companies, and actually we can think that we’re playing a harmless game but actually are being used in an even bigger game where our data or information is used for the benefit of others.
Thank you Vicky I have heard of this game and it has always felt pretty horrendous to me, mental health problems within our youngsters are rising at an alarming rate and any game with an alternative reality is certainly not going to help this and in fact I would be sure to say these types of games are directly harming our mental wellbeing.
Thank you Vicky, a much needed expose not only on the dangers of these virtual games that we have yet to fully comprehend, but the hidden and more sinister intentions behind the games themselves. We so gleefully accept these baited ‘treats’, without ever fully stopping to feel into the entirety of their intention, purpose and consequences. Time will show us just what a dire and damaging activity they truly are.
Wow, the intention of the game seems very deceitful, why not be up front about the data collection? I also consider the game to be quite dangerous, I have heard of players having accidents because of being distracted, that is of course the players responsibility, but what about the corporate responsibility to put out such a game?
Great exposure Vicky. This needs to be distributed as widely as possible. As a student of The Way of The Livingness I am aware of the harm of distraction but was not of the data collection and I am sure the majority of people are not of either.
Very, very good blog Vicky, asking us all to take responsibility. I don’t play computers games, but non the less I am checked out and distracted 70 % of the day – which is no different and adds to this. The question is why do I not want to be in my body? Because I don’t want to take responsibility. It’s a comfort.
There is that word again – ‘comfort’ – absolutely astounding how far we will go to ensure that nothing gets in the way of our checked out ‘comfortable’ way of being …
Computer games are so sophisticated these days and have moved far away from the simple games that I remember such as table tennis on a TV screen or Pac Man, that asked you to do a few simple moves, but had none of the sinister and mind bending visual affects that you see today that take you into a different world. As you say Vicky there is a blurred reality between what is real and what is fictional, I am sure for many children this can be very confusing and offers a greater opportunity to check out from life.
It seems that whenever we are avoiding whatever is so prevalently going on, there is enough depth and things to address in our human communications and relationships, disractions such as game apps, computer games etc are there and ready. It’s easier to get these distractions than true healing, counselling or relationships in our current age.
The obsession with Pokémon Go seems to be waning and at first I thought it might have some merit in that teenagers, either alone or in small groups, were out walking in the woods where they had not previously been observed. However, as they were completely unaware of their surroundings and completely focused on the flickering screen of their phone it was clear that this activity was total distraction and they were dancing to someone else’s tune.
Agree Mary. They are probably causing more distruction to these areas also through not being aware of how they are in these spaces.
First of all they say that a glass of wine is good for you, then you need ‘5 a day’, a cigarette can relax you… why do we, as a human race need to come to it’s knees to realise its mistake and then begin to pick itself up again. It seems the further we stray from love the more extreme are the games we play, literally! We have all been dancing to someone else’s tune for too long (only realised by me since I met Serge Benhayon), and it is only through the Way of the Livingness that we can return to some order of truth.
Great subject to bust wide open Vicky, the distraction caused by phones alone let alone a game like this are huge. So often I have had people walk out in front of my van or car because they where in a zone with their phone. I suppose most people think it is just innocent entertainment but how can it be when it leave us so disconnected from our bodies.
Wow super dangerous. That’s not only disconnected from their bodies but also from the fact that they are in a world with other people. A cartoon game character is actually being put before awareness and safety.
Put that way – “A cartoon game character is actually being put before awareness and safety” – makes the whole thing even more sinister…
Yes, myself too. Not so long ago a lady pushed out a pram directly in front of my car whilst glued to her phone. It left me in shock as she came out behind a parked car but the lady hardly noticed as she continued to be glued to her phone.
Thank you Vicky, this illustrates clearly how we are affected in life by our every move and how nothing can be put down as trivial.
Everything it everything, and nothing is nothing. It is staggering to realise how our movements affect everything right from our fingernails to the far flung reaches of every star in the Universe. Is it no wonder we don’t want to take responsibility, choosing instead to distract ourselves so we don’t have to feel our ill choices.
The stars and our fingers nails are equal parts of the giant canvas that is God. One glorious pulsating Life, to imagine that we can do anything within that canvas and it not be felt by the whole is indicative of the extent of our separation and delusion.
Yes and so important to remember that everything matters and nothing is ‘just nothing’ …
I know this game to be dangerous as in that people don’t look where they walk and can cause accidents, as well as fights at times but never thought of the effect of ‘checked out’ movements which is another factor that makes this game so much more harming than it to many seems.
Vicky you raise some brilliant points here, how is it that we don’t notice this strange behaviour, this disconnect to reality that the new generation of games deliver? And the second point is that as I understand more and more the importance of the way we move and how that affects us and all around us then this shows how much we avoid moving with responsibility, even though the results and the feeling in the body we could have when we are with ourselves is far greater than any game could ever offer.
In the last twelve months I have been really exploring the power of walking and how it can support my body. It requires a real commitment to presence and even on a quiet morning, on an empty street, with no music, no telephone and no traffic, I can find it hard to stay present. But, when I do, it is absolutely magical what happens and how supportive and evolutionary the process can be. No question that it is an pin-point accurate reflection of where I am at. Thus, a game that is specifically designed to keep us disconnected from even this most simple of activities and thus from ourselves is, in my opinion, pure poison.
I absolutely agree Otto… and where do these games come from to keep us away from ourselves, I suspect not from the Love and Grace of God but from another, not so loving force that arrogantly and ignorantly wants to keep us living in a world that is suffering more than enough already, and FOR WHAT!!?
Otto, I can relate to what you say. I too have been observing myself as I walk and what it takes ‘to stay present’. So easy for my mind to trail away into future and past. Then we have a game deliberately designed to take a hold of a person and distract us from ourselves and environment, this feels wrong and evil. To play a game as you walk distorts and destroys the purest of activities, movement.
So much can be said of this post – great article, Vicky. What strikes me is that the data being collected is that of a headless chicken wandering around the place with no purpose. Is that really very useful and what do the results really prove?
Nick, I was asking myself the same question, what is the benefit of this data, does it just show how easily distracted and taken in we can be to understand how to target the next money making spin. The earning power of this game is eye watering so collecting data of the types of users will no doubt support the gaming industry to hit the target market even more accurately the next time to create an excited frenze and therefore millions of dollars.
Oh what a great picture to describe this behaviour – a headless chicken wandering around aimlessly – very good. When we can truly feel this is what we do, maybe then we can start making more conscious choices ….
This is a great expose Vicky on the seemingly endless distractions that are being offered to humanity on a daily basis; and we accept them without question in many cases. This game I knew virtually nothing about but now that I do I am shocked at the level of distraction that is on offer and I doubt whether many “consider how unfocussed and scattered this leaves us, not to mention the after effects of being so distracted and disconnected from our body.” For me life is amazing just as it is although it always wasn’t that way. I too had distractions that took me away from daily living but taking the time to understand why I needed to be distracted has allowed me to reconnect to the magnificence that is on offer in every moment, with no games in sight.
This game is so perfectly designed to increase our disconnection from life. As humanity gets more and more wayward, we need more and more extreme and forceful methods to disconnect us from the pain of separation that we are all feeling. Abuse, alcohol, coffee, internet use, obesity and health issues are all going through the roof….and so, by definition there must also be an increase in the intensity of our distraction methods. In truth, we are in agony. Pokemon Go is the latest anaesthetic.
And we all know what happens when the anaesthetic wears off, we are left bruised and sore – and then we go looking for more and more extreme behaviours to numb and distract ourselves again. Where it is all going?
And so often when we are numbed by the anaesthetic we live even more waywardly, as in those moments we can’t feel so fully the affect of our choices, but eventally it wears off and we come back to earth be it with a hang over, and aching body, health issues or mental and emotional imbalance.
I wasn’t aware of this game Vicky, but clearly it is a popular one generally. What you share and expose in relation to it is much needed as we tend not to look beyond the surface layer of computer games. I know that parents often endorse computer games that are not seemingly violent thinking that these are harmless, but when you add movement and energetic perspective then all is not what it seems. Universal Medicine has also made the link between checking out in life to the disease of dementia… with more and more of us living distracted and checked out then the sharp increase of this disease is explainable.
Well said Vicky, with two teenage boys I’ve seen many different video games and devices and it is so clear looking on how hooking they all are and the ‘not so fun’ intention behind them. When Pokémon Go first came out there were people walking the streets and big groups hanging out at certain places. Pokémon Go promoted that it was encouraging people to get out and exercise and meet people… all I saw was children, teenagers and adults looking at a screen not at each other. It’s fizzled out now but there are plenty that take its place. These kind of distractions could not take the hold that they do if we were aware and consciously present with our movements and feeling how they affect our bodies, moods and thoughts.
It looks so innocent indeed, a game we play and have fun with, but at the same time we have to ask ourselves why we need these games, what purpose do they have in our lives and in addition to that, this blog shows so clearly, these games are not that innocent at all.
It offers a new perspective on what we consider to be fun – being fully checked out? A truly scary thought …
I agree Karina. Most people wouldn’t equate fun with something that is harmful, but so often that is the case. A ‘fun’ night out, for example, can be to spend well-earned money on purchasing drinks that are designed to poison the body. When we really look at it there is no element of fun in this or in a computer game that is designed to make us move in a state of distraction.
Brilliant blog Vicky. Thank you for sharing. This is an example of total manipulation and exploitation of another (and children at that!) I agree that the manipulation of a child’s natural movement into this configuration is totally devastating for the human frame and the being inhabiting that body. I love what you are saying here: ‘ If we walk or move our body in a harsh, hard or abrupt way, this is the quality of energy that travels through every part of our body, meeting every organ and body system, right down to the cellular level. Equally, if we move with presence and in a way that holds an awareness and care for our body, this is the energy that is received and distributed throughout our whole body.’ The simple and obvious and wonderful science of energy. How have we been so easily fooled??
Wow Vicky, thank you for the insight into what’s behind this App and to what is happening in the body whilst playing the game… very sobering indeed! It certainly seems the need is to keep upping the ante on what we consider ‘entertainment’, and one wonders where else it can go, and at what point we will collectively call a halt to it. There is no avoiding the relationship between the apathetic, checked-out state of so many of our younger generations today and the escalation of screen-related entertainment.
A very scary reality we now are experiencing. Already the simplicity of spending our days with ourselves and those we meet is constantly hindered by distraction, to give ourselves, willingly over to what is shared here is building foundations of absolute disconnection with our world and others, which can only foster even more disregard and contempt of the people we share our lives and our planet with. For any who are willing, ask if this is what you want for our world before engaging in such activities.
There’s so much you are offering here in this amazing article, Vicky. And I just caught myself having my breakfast while reading it. Seriously, I don’t know when was the last time I was able to just have my breakfast without any other activity going on at the same time. There’s so much going on that we are choosing not to be aware of. Such a trick this is while we think we are advancing with new technologies and all, we are actually retarding ourselves. And I love what you say about our investment. We like to think we can just take only the bit we like out of one package and have nothing to do with the rest of it, but that is so not how it works, we are getting the whole lot and we are feeding the whole lot. It is a movement that would then circulate and eventually return – with consequences.
Brilliant blog Vicky. The first reports I read on Pokemon Go were full of praise for the game. These articles referenced psychologists and fitness experts who said the game was inspiring people who lived sedentary lives to get up, move around and even go outside when they had previously not been able to. But what benefits are these people really getting? We live in a world of supply and demand and clearly most of us are choosing distraction and then choosing to produce stories that support our choice to distract ourselves. Serge Benhayon presents an unpopular and uncomfortable truth that we would all greatly benefit from if we choose to be honest with ourselves.
It amazing how quick the media bandwagon is able to justify the reasons why the marketing of such an app would get the tick of approve from experts. Are there any benefits that may be shared with other agencies? Is this no different to shopping dockets promoting discounts on alcohol, sports stars selling sugar drinks and school teachers promoting processed food as health lunchbox choices?
We do live in a world of supply & demand, and although there is something sinister about businesses that take advantage of weaknesses and idiosyncrasies instead of truly aiming to serve people, the responsibility is in our court to reflect on the situation. What is it that has us be so blind to what is going on? Or at least pretend that we are.
I felt my skin crawl reading about the underlying motive of the data collection. We are so desperate to keep ourselves distracted, to numb ourselves from the fact that something about the way we are living feels so very wrong, that we trade ourselves. If our eyes were wide open would we as parents let our children use games such as this, to diminish themselves to such a level? In this desperate plight to keep ourselves distracted from what we feel we will go to measures more and more extreme – only to keep ourselves in this constant vicious circle so as not to feel the consequences of the devastating choices we are making.
Fabulous expose Vicky of a marketing device that is ruinous on many levels. We’ll be reaping what has been sown for years to come with this and many other such harmful innovations as they emerge.
So true Victoria, this is definitely ruinous and the effect of this will be there for all to see.
‘The name of the game is distraction’, So it is no wonder that this game was so popular. It took the world by storm and created havoc in many places – but was not seen for the reflection it gave. We are so happy to be relieved by the next fad and let it take us away from connecting to our lack of Brotherhood, Commitment to Life, Truth and Love. All the things we actually crave are only a breath away, within us, the Light of the Soul is with us always.
It is curious that a game can kill and maim people through their increased distraction and that this goes pretty much unnoticed, perhaps because many of us are already highly distracted.
Great point – “…because many of us are already highly distracted.”….
And perhaps the reason most of us do not notice is because we do not want to see or admit the extent to which we use and like distractions that take us away from feeling the truth.
Wow – I had not considered the data collection element of this game. What this exposes very clearly for us to consider is the degree to which we allow ourselves to moved as puppets from a source of energy we are unwilling to discern for ourselves. That is, we allow our movements to be dictated as a means to an end, an end that we do not even question the integrity of!
This goes to show we seek distraction in any form – the more colourful, entertaining and stimulating, the better.
It matters not to us the effect of this on our body or to discern the full energetic package of what we are staying yes to that travels in and through us and ultimately has its way with our body and all that we will be.
Incredible really. We are instructed to move in a certain way and data is gathered from us. It is a very poor carrot being dangled before our noses as we give away more than we know.
A serious and important expose Vicky. Your sharing and research highlights the fact and reminds me again that ‘every thing is energy and everything is because of energy’ (Serge Benhayon). This truth plays out in every aspect of life without exception and you have illustrated it beautifully and thoroughly here.
Also brilliant explanation on the science of our movements, how energy works through our body and the choice of energy we choose to move in is worth paying attention to.
Hear hear so it is.
The harm generated from such a new ‘craze’ is much worse than I was initially aware. Reflecting upon how the movements of the game displace and disconnect a person in energetic terms feels enough, and yet you reveal another intent that is becoming so common place in our society. Tracking and data collection that is then sold to others for financial gain is nothing short of evil. In this particular example its dressed up as a game that appeals to the young. Our collective thirst for distraction places our privacy in a precarious and fragile situation. Thank-you for the valuable insights Vicky.
I have come to the conclusion that anything that seeks to take us away from ourselves is evil, which, in a nutshell is life as we have come to know it.
The fact is the ‘reality’ that we know is already naturally augmented in the most incredible way. There is already is a battle, a war going on with every step that we take, but it is not always visible on first glance. This war is between darkness and light, and creates a constant tension with the thoughts and emotions that come from a source that is looking to make us less. This energetic battle is always at play, despite the visuals our eyes might see. When you consider this, and how much we like to avoid this fact then the craze for Pokemon you describe here Vicky starts to make a lot of sense. These digital games are not the only thing we like to play with.
Very true, Joseph, and it is this energetic battle that is the biggest and most important game of all.
I love how you make this parallel Jonathan. Behind the game is THE game – the battle of the unseen forces that move us around like chess pieces if we are not claiming the body we live in.
Absolutely, Jonathon. There’s already an energetic battle played everyday and this is where our attention is required, not in a hand held electronic devices.
There are so many ‘enticing’ products and distractions that we choose to keep us away from living our light, it is not until we start to discern what is true and what is not that the shocking statistics of harm will change.
When I look around and see so much physical and mental illness and so much ‘checking out’ behavior it is clearly not an innocent game at all but the same ongoing ancient battle between the light and dark energies being played out in every way possible.
Do we choose to just be directed and channeled using the excuse ‘its just a game’ or do we decide it is time to get savy and understand the energies that are at “play” so we can allow ourselves the chance to choose the harmonious energy that is on offer?
Jo the choice to choose the more ‘harmonious energy’ has to be a constant one because the moment we stop consciously choosing then the other energy, which is actually far from harmonious, pours in and fills the gap left by us checking out.
It’s incredible just how discerning we need to be, yet we don’t talk about it. I would never have thought that what lies behind a video game would in fact be so misleading and so deceitful. My initial response was that you can’t trust anyone or anything, but then I remember that that only creates more distrust in humanity which is part of the mess we’re already in, so rather than go down that path, we’re better off to simply keep calling out what isn’t true, whilst bringing understanding to why it’s all happening and also accepting that we’ve all been part of it too.
Great sharing Elodie, mistrust only sows more mistrust and serves no one.
If we were to call out everything that was not true there would be very little of anything left ! and I include all relationships in that.
Wow, what an exposing, expanding and awareness increasing read. The Idea of not living life connected to my body and movements repels me but this has exposed a whole new awareness of the devious behind the scenes of games like Pockemon Go but also the dangers and control we unwittingly hand over to forces we do not know are there.
Yes and it does not even start there does it, it starts way before we even enter such a game. If we move in disconnection throughout our lives, picking up a game like this is just the next step – it feels as if this type of behaviour is totally and specifically targeted at those that are disconnected in life with the aim of enticing others to join …
Wow Vicky very interesting what you share, what is going on with games like this and how are they even allowed. What harm they are causing and yet people are not even realising what they are getting into.
This feels so sinister. It invites us to connect with a world that’s not real and behave in a way that’s not natural. It disconnects us from our bodies and our surroundings, and acts like a spy at the same time. And it calls itself a game. You are right Vicky, we really do need to take a step back and look at what we are partaking in.
Yes truly insidious – the hidden agenda is such a dark energy here, inviting people to enter a state of ‘zombie-ness…
Rebecca on reading the line that you shared “It invites us to connect with a world that’s not real and behave in a way that’s not natural”, caused me to ponder on whether what you have offered here is actually a summary of most of what’s on offer in life.
Great point Alexis. This is worth pondering deeply.
I agree Rebecca, our drive as consumers for the next best thing prevents us from taking a step back and actually considering what it is we are buying into in its entirety.
And this form of gaming actually desensetises for real life and how our bodies are responding. What will future generations be like?
From experience video games breed withdrawal from life, in this state there’s no care for real life beyond the games. Having this as a foundation from young will only create a generation of those not committed to contributing to society even more than we have now.
Great and powerful sharing Leigh. When we are gaming on a grand scale we are allowing the lack of commitment to increase in numbers. What is interesting to note here – is the pull for profits from the gaming organisations over the obvious statistics of family breakdown in connections with their children. Are we all taking responsibility or just brushing this topic under the table?
It is addicting and the scary thing is how many people are asking for the distractions from life. If there is no demand then the supply goes. So what are we wanting to run away from is the question?
I remember when this game first came out and I was having a meal with a friend and there were so many people all standing around looking at their phones and moving with their phones held up. I couldn’t believe that so many people were drawn in by this type of game and felt sad that they needed this kind of distraction in their lives. I was not aware though of the hidden agenda by the game from the company. Not so kosher.
It really is quite shocking how little we discern the nature of these products before we gleefully jump in, too pre-occupied with our immediate needs for gratification without really taking care of the bigger picture or stopping to clock the ulterior motives. It applies to all we do and is something that I am slowly waking up to, as too often still I allow my own needs to cloud the quality of my choices.
It reminds me of the Internet full stop, we have swallowed it whole without an ounce of consideration for its possible harm and now 20 years on the harm is there for all to see. But as the horse has bolted so to speak we are left trying to rein back some modecum of control.
What you share, Vanessa makes sense. It is true we have accepted the internet and have relished all the parts that serve, without taking into consideration the whole that brings with it problems, impactful harm that we either don’t want to see, or choose to ignore.
It is quite full on to see so many people chasing something that doesn’t exist and seeing the dangers that could happen and also noticing just how much of life they are missing out on in that moment. I first saw many people use this game when it came out when I was walking in a local nature area. A place that was usually quiet and enjoyable became much like a city mall in the bush.