Gaming Gone Wild!

Welcome back to my blog! This second entry will be about the pros and cons of video games, and how teens can become very addicted to them. We are now in a new age where video games are part of teens' everyday life. As someone who plays video games quite often, I can relate to this topic. What is different is that I know how long is too long. I know when to stop playing and go outside, or read, or do homework. My siblings and I have been very into video games since we were young. We have had just about every system imaginable - Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, GameCube, XBOX, and XBOX 360 etc. I am more into the games that can be played with friends, and groups of large people, like Rock Band, or Guitar Hero, because even if everyone is not playing, it is still something everyone can enjoy by watching or listening to the great tunes that are included in the game. It is something I usually like to play when I'm with my friends, just hanging out on Friday nights.

As great as games are, they can be also very dangerous and addictive. All that most teens who play video games want to do, is shoot things, crash cars, and run around with an unlimited supply of weapons (real, and make believe). But the problem is that most of these games are most definitely not realistic. They don't resemble life in the real world. Unlike games, in reality you will not have an unlimited amount of lives or resources. Actions like shooting people, and robbing a store have repercussions. Games like that are making things that should be taken seriously, seem like a game or something you would do for fun. I do know many people who are very addicted to games and like to play for hours, or even days straight! They get caught up in these games, and end up falling behind at school, work, and with friends. They make gaming their whole lives. This is something I see as negative, and something that someone shouldn't want to happen to them.

Games do have some very negative effects on teens, but there are also games that can help people. Educational games are good to improve reading, writing, typing, and comprehension skills. Brain Age is a good example of an educational game. This game involves playing many mini-games that involve things like math, science, and reading. In order to win, and do better, the player is required to improve their skills by beating their previous times, scores, and speeds. Games like these can really improve motor skills.

Overall, I think games are pretty harmless. Even though games have some very negative effects on young people, I think they are okay to play, as long as it is not all the time, and you can still get work done, and do not become obsessed. I think most teens use video games as a way to let loose, have fun, and relax.

The Campaign Trail

On Tuesday November 4, 2008, Barack Obama was elected the new president of the United States. I think Americans made a great choice in not only electing the first African-American president, but electing someone who has big plans for changing the country for the better. Someone who has a great message. An ad campaign was put out promoting Barack Obama and what he can do for Americans. The original commercial is about a bunch of guys sitting on the couch, watching a football game, drinking beer. In this new commercial promoting Barack Obama, the guys watching tv aren't watching a football game, or being happy, they are watching things that are going on in the world around them - unemployment, poverty, the war in Iraq, worsening healthcare, plummeting stockmarkets, and natural disaster. At the end of this commercial when the man is asked "wassup?" he says "change", and is watching Barack Obama on the tv. Obama has a great message. He is saying that changing the world is as simple as electing him, because he wants to see change, he wants to do everything in his power to make things better for Americans. He will help them live the best life possible and make things easier. Barack has created a lot of awareness about the issues of the United States.

I think this ad is very effective. It makes people think about all the things they can do to better the country. It points out all the mistakes that George Bush made while in office. It makes people of all ages want to come together and help change the world. They have already seen all the bad things that are happening since Bush has been in office, and now know what not to do. People relate to Obama and what he wants to do for the country because Americans know what he is talking about. They are living and going through all the issues and problems that Obama wants to change. Electing Barack Obama was a smart choice for changing the way Americans live their lives for the better. Way to go Barack Obama :)