Cyber Troubles

Something is happening on the edges of my little world:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/156320
And the other side:
http://fortressameritrash.blogspot.com/

While I don't really care about Michael Barnes, why he got banned or even the fact that he got banned at all. My "group think" has been stirred.

When your cyber life has become such a focus of your life that it generates so many gigabytes of garbage, it is time to reexamine your priorities. Your computer, and thus the internet, is a powered tool. This means that you can turn it off and walk away. Go outside, read a book, see a movie, play games in *gasp* real life with *shudder* real people. In short, get a life!

I had a professor in college who opined that the fall of American Civilization began with the start of home mail delivery. Gone was the time when you had to go to the Post Office with all of your neighbors and were forced to interact with many people you wouldn't otherwise see. This decline continued with TV and bigger grocery stores and culminates with the internet. If you have a telecommuting job you never have to leave your house at all.
My wife used to say that I was a hermit. And it was true. I noticed that after work I came home and simply did not want to leave and it was even worse on the weekends. I resolved to change that. I have an active gaming community that allows me face to face opportunities at least twice a week. As a result, I feel I am much happier person.

So get out there and do something! Unplug your computer for a week. Hang out in a bar or a coffee shop one night, or even sit in a park. Volunteer a one of the many needy organizations or simply stalk a random stranger, but experience Real Life!

And while I'm on a rant.......

I have been hearing more and more about a game called Second Life. It appears to be an advanced on line version of the Sims (which I never understood in the first place) and is supposedly even more addictive and expensive than World of Warcraft. I don't get it. I spend 8-10 hours a day at a real job why do I want to come home and get on my computer to pretend I'm working at my second life job (and all of the associated bills, problems, etc)?
But there must be something to it, because I understand major companies (Nissan is the first that pops to mind) are getting space on the game and trying to pimp their product through the ether. And now I just heard John Edwards has set up a campaign headquarters there and is giving away free virtual swag and campaign literature.

What's next? Second Life Salvation Army stores?

Maybe I was a Luddite in a past life.
Excuse me, I need to check my email.....