Return Fire

10) Brett Todd’s cynicism

I was going to respond to Brett’s last Firing Line, but it had already scrolled off the front page and I couldn’t find it anymore. I remember that it was something about monkey orgasms, which is a topic I don’t really have an opinion on. So I’ll just say I’m in favor of monkey’s having as many orgasms as they want, as long as I’m not expected to play any role. In which case, I’m strongly opposed to it and they can go take care of their dirty little business with someone else.

As for Brett’s ‘burned-out hardcore cynical jaded gamer who has eight million games installed on his computer and no time to play them’ thing, I can’t really identify with it, so I’m going to start a campaign to recall it and replace it with some of my own enthusiasm. I like games. I still get a little thrill the first time I boot something up. I sit for a half hour and think about what I’m going to name my character this time. This is a great way to avoid being an adult, to indulge in some of that kid style playtime most other adults have lost track of. This is all adolescent diversion, harmless fantasy fluff, a willing suspension of disbelief that I’m sure Samuel Taylor Coleridge would have totally dug. It’s anesthetic, really, and just like other anesthetics, it works fine as long as you can manage it and keep it in perspective. As someone much wiser than me once said, “Everything in moderation. Especially computer games”.