Tartan

Issue date: 1/20/05 Section: Op-Ed

Media Credit: Susan Sieber Entertain Me, Please!

More and more young adult males in America today are spending less time outside their house, more time inside their house in front a TV or computer screen. That can't be all that much of a bad thing, now can it?

That's the mistake many of us have made or will make during our young adulthood. The outside world is full of obstacles - you need money to have a car, a job to have money, and a car to have a job. So why not stay indoors and spend our time using our attractive new Playstation 2 (in a new slim variety!) and our fancy computers with DSL? With the advent of Halo 2 and the ever-growing internet forum phenomena, it's easy to get sucked in and do pretty much nothing else.

Gasp! I just undermined the basis for American popular culture! Before you think of me as a miserly anti-establishment type, hear me out.

The Internet and computers are glorious, glorious things. We take for granted the level of control and access that the Internet gives us. Videogames are wonderful too. In fact, I own PS2, Gamecube, and Xbox; I work for a videogame store, I have my own videogame review website, etc. I love videogames, especially the role-playing genre ("Chrono Trigger", and "Final Fantasy VII" are some examples). But my failing was the fact that I have let my electronic media take over me, and my realization of this has come ultimately too late.

Too late for what, exactly? Social isolation? Not so much one of those, but I would say that my guilt over the issue and the general feeling that my 80+ hours "Phantasy Star Online" marathon was a waste are symptoms enough.

The key is moderation. It's good to do something that entertains you, especially in the purpose of helping you relax or to simply pass the time. If marathoning episodes of your favorite TV show is what floats your boat, then please do. But you still need to reach out to the world, to be involved, healthy, and busy. Busy with what? Busy with the act of living.

If you haven't gotten yourself into this kind of isolationist situation yet, then you're lucky - it's very easy to get into. I mean, c'mon, who couldn't resist spending thirty hours leveling up to beat the Emerald and Ruby weapons of Final Fantasy VII? ... Okay, so pretty much all of you, but I'll be damned that I couldn't resist.

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