• Our software update is now concluded. You will need to reset your password to log in. In order to do this, you will have to click "Log in" in the top right corner and then "Forgot your password?".
  • Forum moderator applications are now open! Click here for details.
  • Welcome to PokéCommunity! Register now and join one of the best fan communities on the 'net to talk Pokémon and more! We are not affiliated with The Pokémon Company or Nintendo.

"Pokemon? What are you, some kind of nerd?"

EB

Re: World
93
Posts
12
Years
*sigh* Where do I even begin?

I've had countless people ask me this, these past few years particularly. Before I get into the 'why' of this post, I need to explain the 'what.' That is, playing.

As a kid, playing is normal; kids just lack the cognitive resonance to work effectively and therefore are given very little real responsibility. However, this wasn't always the norm. If you were children of the early seventeenth century, you would be expected to slave over meals, clean, watch over your younger siblings, and learn your family's niche. It was kind of cruel. Now that we have more able bodies to provide communal goods and services, this is thankfully no longer the case. So what do kids do now that they don't have to worry about work? Well, whatever they want, I guess. Right?

Not exactly. Unless they're the fortunate offspring of some dominant governmental figure, their pockets will be pretty empty. Because of this, kids usually stick to simple activities, like...

... Kickball!

Ah yes, kickball. A game of utmost precision, stamina, and steadfast teamwork. Which with children just ends up being a massive legion of short people scrambling for the ball, falling head over heels amidst random outbursts of giggling. Now while this may seem... odd, it's not really about the children's level of sophistication, but instead it's the act of playing itself that's important.

There's so much kids utilize through play. And the younger their age, the more likely it is they're still gaping in utter amazement over things that adults take absolutely for granted; obvious things, like the colors of the rainbow, counting to ten, sorting... things, and learning to avoid situations that could hurt them. It's the art of play that shows us all of this in action; it puts young people in an atmosphere where they can practice cooperation, creative thinking, and problem solving.

Man, I miss being a kid.

=

So now what about us teenagers and young adults? As more developed beings, we do have the ability to work and it becomes expected of us. Naturally, this leaves less and less time for us to play, but it's not really called "playing" anymore, is it? That's far too kiddie. They're called hobbies now. Seriously, c'mon guys.

Whether they're easy, teeth wrenching, goal-based, recreational, involve super complex puzzles or physical strength, there are a seemingly infinite number of hobbies to choose from. So how do you choose? With any amount of time you spend doing one thing, you're without a doubt missing out on other awesome stuff! And well yeah, that's what it means to be mortal. You won't have time to do everything you may potentially enjoy, but that's exactly what makes the hobbies you do participate in so important.

Now, we all know those people who have the opportunity to save a lot of time by making a living out of the activities they love. Pff yeah, okay. But does that mean you should be less inclined to choose the ones that you can't make a living out of? That depends, because you have to first discover what you value most.

Value is not logical, each and every thing you value is entirely subjective. In light of this, it's the complete result of your unique life experiences that have lead you to identify with one set values moreso than another. Everyone's value system is different, for we all have separate viewpoints. Like, the literal one, the one with your eyes.

But in spite of this diversity, it's impossible to say that one set of values is better than another set of values. Just think: we have no control over what DNA we've inherited, what countries and traditions we grow up in and become members of, or any other outside forces that affect us. We just live through these circumstances, and even sometimes in spite of them. So to say, "Dude, why aren't you caring about what I care about?" is literally like asking someone why they're not you.

Now, had I lived with an exact copy of your body, lived through every single event exactly the same as you had, and made every choice that you'd chosen on your walk through life, indeed I would care about everything that you do. But, in that process, I will have literally become you. It's this simple concept that makes discrediting opinions so dreadfully conceited.

I mean, I don't know about everyone else, but I feel like a bunch of me's walking around would be pretty boring.

=

Welp, that's pretty much it! I hope I've shed some light on why I enjoy playing Pokemon so much (and why anyone likes anything, really).

Thanks for reading!
 

EB

Re: World
93
Posts
12
Years
LOL Yeah. My OP included the competitive FGC as well, but I edited that bit out for this post.
 
Back
Top