This Will Blow Your Mind

I am sure exactly none of my readers are aware that World of Warcraft recently released a new expansion to their incredibly popular online role playing game. I am sure even fewer of you care (like some of you actively don't want to know). But I saw this comic and thought it was worth sharing for those few of you who have ever experienced the global insanity that is online RPGs.



This comes courtesy of the gaming comic Penny Arcade.

If you get the joke, right on. If you don't get it, basically the mechanics of these games are such that no matter how accomplished you are in the game, you'll always be tasked with doing stupid, repetitive stuff to get money or gain favor. Like always this expansion was delivered with great fanfare, offering realms and features only the truly advanced can reach, but the gameplay always remains the same.

OK. Fine. I am a dork.

But why? Why is the MMO model so damn successful? There's no fun in this stuff! They've created a whole new world (apparently called Northrend) and filled it with the same exact stuff that's everywhere else. And then they sell it for $30 (actually it's $40) and millions and millions of people will spend every free moment consuming this garbage. How is this possible?

Is this a symptom of the human condition? Are people satisfying their aching need for answers and their quivering fear of the uncertainties of life by submerging themselves in mindless pointing and clicking? Did we kill God only to replace him with a video game?

See, I got all deep and philosophical there. Bet you didn't see that coming!

I happen to know that some of the Tomog readership have voted. Even though they are generally too shy (or wise) to post on my blog.

Karen and Rodger
would have liked to do more
but Painter can't vote

Proposition 8
Clouds Obama's victory
for Jeff and Cathy

Paul you righty kook
McCain can't win in Cali
I'm glad you voted

Give Paul a big smack
I thought you had him in line
next time Vick, next time

And Nan, you lurker!
I know you check in sometimes
Go Democracy!

That Sour Taste in Your Elation Smoothie

What the hell, California? I mean, what the freakin' hell? Everyone's feeling elated, like the country is full of promise again, and you go and do this?

Well I guess it lets me know that I am not dreaming. But seriously, amending the state Constitution to say that marriage is between a man and a woman? What the hell? Why don't you also toss in some language about how far from the curb you can park or whether men can wear skirts?

Kudos to Obama for winning over these small-minded people.

I mean, though my first instinct is to just be really mad at slightly over half the voters in California, maybe it's not their fault. I wonder if the ballot initiative was set up the other way (Vote Yes for Gay Marriage, Vote No against Gay Marriage) would the outcome have been different?

Something important happens today

Can you guess what it is?

In partnership with Dissertation Year, the Tomog is giving stuff to voters. If you vote we'll write you a haiku (or a story of how love and good humor conquer all from YSA). See the instructions for how to get your reward.

Sample Reward

I am not to blame
I voted for Obama
but somehow Kang won