Go Pokemon Go!
So there has been an awful lot of negativity regarding the new Pokemon Go craze. Obviously, there have been those using horrible judgement in abandoning common sense while using this app. But how many people foolishly text or check FB while walking around or driving? How many of you have your face stuffed in your phones to tell the FB world how much you dislike seeing peoples faces stuffed in their phones? **crickets**
Ok on to my real point for this post. Many people are calling this thing "stupid" or "a waste of time", some even going to extreme lengths as to calling it "evil"? (Are you serious? I mean, I love Jesus too.. But really?) Let me share this tid bit of information with you while you have a seat. Yes, you standing on your soap box.. Just sit down for a minute.
Throughout my entire life's observations one thing has remained true, fitting in is not easy. It's even less easy when your interests don't line up with those of your peers. It's lonely, it's frustrating and it's depressing. How do I know this? I have a son who has told me one more than one occasion "Mom, I feel like I'm so different from everybody else. I feel like they just don't get me." When I'm done picking my heart up off the floor.. I remind him of all the special things I love about him. The biggest being his compassion for people. If you know my son, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
So what does this have to do with Pokemon? Everything! It's one of the few ways I've seen him connect with his peers. It serves as one of the biggest ice breakers for him. It's a topic he knows tons about and his excitement just radiates when he realizes that somebody "gets" him. Having a game like Pokemon Go is exciting for us a family because it's a fun way to be involved together out in the community. When my son looks around and sees all these people playing he gets his chance to not feel different.
In my shoes, I don't understand how you can refer to this as "stupid" or a "waste of time". How does it differ from spending all your time playing fantasy football or following sports? How does it differ from getting together with friends to go enjoy a concert? If Pokemon Go is a stupid waste of time, then any group interest is. In these days where we experience so much discord, why not let people feel a sense of unity?
You are entitled to your opinions, just please don't kill this sense of fitting in for people like my son. It isn't a big deal to you, but it has been a whole world opened up for him.
Ok on to my real point for this post. Many people are calling this thing "stupid" or "a waste of time", some even going to extreme lengths as to calling it "evil"? (Are you serious? I mean, I love Jesus too.. But really?) Let me share this tid bit of information with you while you have a seat. Yes, you standing on your soap box.. Just sit down for a minute.
Throughout my entire life's observations one thing has remained true, fitting in is not easy. It's even less easy when your interests don't line up with those of your peers. It's lonely, it's frustrating and it's depressing. How do I know this? I have a son who has told me one more than one occasion "Mom, I feel like I'm so different from everybody else. I feel like they just don't get me." When I'm done picking my heart up off the floor.. I remind him of all the special things I love about him. The biggest being his compassion for people. If you know my son, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
So what does this have to do with Pokemon? Everything! It's one of the few ways I've seen him connect with his peers. It serves as one of the biggest ice breakers for him. It's a topic he knows tons about and his excitement just radiates when he realizes that somebody "gets" him. Having a game like Pokemon Go is exciting for us a family because it's a fun way to be involved together out in the community. When my son looks around and sees all these people playing he gets his chance to not feel different.
In my shoes, I don't understand how you can refer to this as "stupid" or a "waste of time". How does it differ from spending all your time playing fantasy football or following sports? How does it differ from getting together with friends to go enjoy a concert? If Pokemon Go is a stupid waste of time, then any group interest is. In these days where we experience so much discord, why not let people feel a sense of unity?
You are entitled to your opinions, just please don't kill this sense of fitting in for people like my son. It isn't a big deal to you, but it has been a whole world opened up for him.
Comments
Post a Comment