D. Alva reminds her son about the differences between real life and virtual life.
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Dear D____:
MINECRAFT says, “This is the most significant sandbox you’ll ever set foot in.”
MOMMY says, “LIFE is the most significant sandbox you’ll ever set foot in.”
“Remember that Minecraft is a SMALL part of your LARGE life outside of a glowing screen.”
“Remember to truly live in the REAL world, and only play, for a short time, in the virtual one—for nothing there is real.”
“Remember that skiing on the screen does not feel like the real thing, with the wind whipping through your hair and the thrill of the snow beneath your feet and the mountain underneath you.”
“Remember, there is danger in “living” in a screen world…danger that you will become happy and complacent there…and miss the thrills of your real life.”
“And most of all, remember I LOVE YOU…the makers of MINECRAFT don’t.
XOXO Mommy XOXO
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image by demc7 / flickr
If real life actually offered thrills, enjoyment, and fulfillment… or even rewarded effort and hard work… would video games be so popular in the first place?