Counterstrike Part 2

by Endaire

-See Gaming Education

"I dont care what he has to say. Something to agree or disagree with. Why does his opinion matter to me? I shall form my own."

This quote is one a friend (UFX) after reading one of last time's editorials, and is similar to how I felt before writing Gaming Education. I say it now: If you think I am wrong for writing it, then take it as such. There are others who agree. Don't kill each other over this.

In terms of total facts coming at me, then I am wrong in saying that RPGs presented me with more material. However, I remember moments in RPGs more than school events. Most of grade school is far removed, but what I was playing during that time wasn't. I could probably recite names of more FFIV spells than I could memorable times in school. Considering that I was the one mocked and that all my friends died or moved away before 8th grade ended (and several much before that), I had a "dysfunctional life" (Wisdom.) I believed what I played since it was all I had apart from people beating on and mocking me most the time I was at school. I was much like Lucia of Lunar 2, having very little understanding of emotion and relation and I played the ideal. I treated people like I expected to be treated, trusted everyone and was peaceful. I found it to be destructive. If "being human" includes understanding and application of emotion, then I wasn't and perhaps still am not. Only in the last year have my efforts to (re)understand sociality worked. I have avoided the crowds because of individualistic ideals- I don't claim that I'm "normal" because it is relative. I imagined, I believed and wasn't stopped for being "high." I was allowed and sometimes encouraged to be unique.

This isn't to garner sympathy, but explain where I have come from- I understood and practiced ideals before emotion. The game references were largely there to give a certain area of relation. As for the facts over "thought"- often things happen where decisions must be made on partial intelligence. Also about reflexes, action prepares the brain to be actively called upon. While this includes non-game activities, -some- games are helpful in training this. Books are similar to RPGs, but can be understood differently (and often better by younger people) because of a concrete drawing and sometimes a theme to a character. Much can be understood from music if it fits a character well- I can hear Kefka's theme and Cyan's theme now, appropriate for an insane man and a noble warrior. Speaking of Kefka, I learned at least that misuse of power leads to destruction (which ties into historical fascism, nazism and communism) and often revolt. And speaking of Cyan, king Arthur (in some translations) was considered just a hot-headed, brutal knight with Merlin being the man of wisdom and reason. On Mice and Men (as most things)- the teacher's teaching largely influences student understanding. Assuming the student is being taught material by someone the student likes, understand and appreciates (with possible interest), more information will be stored and understood than if the student was bored or/and emotionally negative. If you can get something without a teacher's help, that's another matter.

For those still wanting argument, I add to this by pleading "My Opinion."

By the way, I've been saying 'tis for years, even to teachers.

-EE