I believe this leads me to my present disposition on gaming--

BO-RING!

Let me back up, I'm not saying gaming hasn't had a significant impact on my life. I remember waiting tirelessly for my brother to go skateboarding so I could break into him room to play Sonic The Hedgehog. I would even play with no sound to ensure I heard him walk in the door.

I don't deal well with violence. I consider myself a verbal tyrant when it comes to expressing my anger. Most of the games I played were Disney friendly with adversaries casting magic spells or kidnapping bunnies for experimentation. Though I did enjoy playing video games that were soft enough for my virgin mind, I never saw finishing them as important. Nowadays, I enjoy games like SpongeBob's Diner dash which puts the player in a multitasking environment of a restaurant. You have to complete tasks in time to ensure their happiness and your tip. This is pretty nauseating considering I've worked in restaurants since I was 15. Oy. I'll also get down in some Rock Band and anticipate good things from DJ Hero.

When I think "gamer" a few specific people come to mind: My brother, my friend Harry, and the general male population of SPSU. The problem with these associations is these three figures are all startlingly different in disposition, habits, and interests. One enjoys professional football, one makes music videos, and one programs computer software. My brother is humble and passive in conversation while Harry speaks no language other than the Atlanta techno music scene. The underlying denominator in all three is that they are all avid gamers. I've always thought it to be interesting that "gamers" aren't a are predictable group of people. Gaming has moved across social borders and has become a universal past time and way of life.

I think the way we engage in games is comparable to other forms of media, especially movies. Games allow us to make light of the human condition. We all have urges and thoughts that are socially unacceptable. Sometimes we battle life and each other to the point of stress, madness, personal sacrifice and discouragement. Games, much like movies, give us something relatable and likable, sometimes in the form of a fantasy world that gives us an element of control.

In a contemporary American culture, I think we can equate gaming to social evolution. I think the theory that gaming damages children's ability to exercise and communicate may be relevant. Contrarily, I feel that gaming allows previously closeted, poorly socialized people to gain a sense of companionship without being a jock or cheerleader.

Since writing my paper, the connections between all new media are making me feel slightly insane. I can't delve too much into any topic without it intersecting a different artform. To close, I leave you with this t-shirt design that I'm pining over-- one illustrator's art noveau interpretation of the classic Princess Peach.