Virtual Fetishism

As promised I'd like to take the next few posts to talk to you about my virtual fetishism. Neither of us have the time to explore the entirety of my evolution as a gamer but I'll mention a number of critical developments in order to hopefully convey my interests in the modest pleasure that is gaming.

I started playing console video games when I was the ripe old age of 5 (1990). My parents, beautiful creatures that they are, held a garage sale in order to raise funds for our very first console system. My Dad sold several antiques that he had collected over the years and once we raised the $200 it was out with the old and in with the new. My parents never had much interest in gaming but I suppose I must have been nagging at them. Either way, it was that Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) that started a beautiful lifelong relationship between a young boy and a virtual world of heroes and adventure...

Although titles such as Super Mario Bros, Duck Hunt, Ice Climber, and Donkey Kong Jr. Math were all attractive options that I thoroughly enjoyed it was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (arcade game) that really put the icing on the cake. This side scrolling beat 'em up, based on the popular comic and the 1987 TV series of the same name, was a two player arcade like NES game. I couldn't get enough of it! Being so young I found it extremely challenging. I haven't gone back to play it again but it certainly kept me and my friends busy. I was also obsessed with the cartoon and had a plethora of action figures. The subsequent release of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" the movie in March 1990 only furthered this obsession and culminated in fulfilling year. The seminal quality of this particular game however was the opportunity to be a hero and to do it cooperatively with a real life friend. Enjoying and sharing these mutual fantasies as a child (both in the game and outside the game with action figures, etc.) was incredibly exciting. As time progressed it seems a common theme that I was seeking opportunities to enjoy this highly realized fantasy world with my friends.

What games were your favourite? What did you like about them the most? I'd be interested to know what exactly it is about these games that caught our attention and continues to do so. Next post I'll continue to discuss how my evolution as a gamer progressed.

Thanks for stopping by.

Warm Regards,
Theron

Finishing an Exam

I just got back from finishing a final exam. Woohoo! I have one more to go plus some additional project work but things are coming to a close. After four years of working away at an undergraduate degree it'll be nice to finally have something to show for all my work. Finishing this last set of credits will mean that I have irrevocably become a Bachelor of Arts.

It just seems to be more of an accomplishment knowing that I have earned the degree. Each class individually gave me the opportunity to progress intellectually but without the whole of my course load they would amount to nothing. It seems strange. Individually they are the degree but without being a whole they amount to nothing more than time well wasted.

It's not often that philosophy applies itself so clearly in my life but perhaps that's because I haven't studied enough of it. This particular event brought to mind the philosophical treatise, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." I couldn't remember who had said it though so I appealed to WikiAnswers. This is a great search engine that I'll often to use to quickly access a simple overview of concepts. Wikipedia will always hold a special place in my heart but WikiAnswers can sometimes be more directly related to what you want to know.

Anyway, finishing up these last credits feels different than finishing other years. I am excited, of course, and looking forward to a summer of letting my brain turn to jelly. I hope there are some of you who are also looking forward to the same thing. Stick around if you're interested in video games! I'm going to take the next couple posts to talk about a dark confession I have to make regarding my virtual fetishism...

Warm Regards,
Theron

Epicurean Club

Thanks to our helpful friends at wikipedia I'll start by extolling the virtues of Epicureanism:

"Epicureanism is a system of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus (c. 341–c. 270 BCE), founded around 307 BCE. Epicurus was an atomic materialist, following in the steps of Democritus. His materialism led him to a general attack on superstition and divine intervention. Following Aristippus—about whom very little is known—Epicurus believed that the greatest good was to seek modest pleasures in order to attain a state of tranquility and freedom from fear (ataraxia) as well as absence of bodily pain (aponia) through knowledge of the workings of the world and the limits of our desires. The combination of these two states is supposed to constitute happiness in its highest form. Although Epicureanism is a form of hedonism, insofar as it declares pleasure as the sole intrinsic good, its conception of absence of pain as the greatest pleasure and its advocacy of a simple life make it different from "hedonism" as it is commonly understood."

I have chosen to name my Blog the 'Epicurean Club' because I think there is wisdom in this ancient philosophy. It certainly doesn't capture my personal worldview entirely but I appreciate the idea of enjoying modest pleasures while advocating a simple life. I hope you enjoy reading my blog as I'll be reporting any modest pleasures that strike my fancy!

So to conclude this first post I'd like to welcome you all to 'The Epicurean Club'

Warm Regards,
Theron