Posted Wednesday January 20, 2010
at 7:03pm in Video Games
I admit I am a geek. I enjoy video games, photography, internet forums, and some would even say that the career I am trying to get into is geeky (historian/history teacher). So, now that it is established that I am a geek I would like to address a particular issue: women and gaming. Honestly, it is something that I do spend soem time thinking about. Most of my female friends shun video games. They think it is a weakness to chose the endeavor of gaming, as they label it as a waste of time. I have often wondered why they think you are a “loser” if you choose to include video games in your free time. I ran across a youtube video featured on Veronica Belmont’s website that gives insight on why females often feel the way they do about video games. I would like to share this video to those who are interested.
This isn’t to say that women don’t play games. I often play with a particular team on Left 4 Dead 2 where one team member is female. The four of us make a fantastic team, and it has been the best team that I have ever been a part of on any online multiplayer experience. Meanwhile I have a friend, whose wife indulges in gaming from time to time. I do think the amount of female gamers are already rising. I agree with Floyd and Alexander, that it might have to do with the prospect of trying out a console game after enjoying browser based games such as Zuma or Bejewled.
I also have one criticism of the argument presented by Floyd and Alexander. Although I do agree how women may be turned away from games by the exaggerated features on many female characters, but aren’t the male characters the same? Lets take two male heroes from video games – Master Chief from Halo and Marcus Fenix from Gears of War. Do males generally look like that? Overly buff bad asses who have absolutely no fear? I think it’s fair to say that both male and female characters are overly exaggerated. Of course that doesn’t defeat the mindset that both male and female gamers give to the respective characters.
Men don’t mind to indulge themselves in playing the characters that are fearless. It exaggerates the best qualities in male warriors that are necessary for the games. The females are exaggerated for their looks and it of course objectifies women and that is why female gamers probably don’t like the games. Either the characters need to be developed more to suit the female gamers without ruining it for the men. Maybe the characters need to be less like Lara Croft, and more like Tifa Lockhart from Final Fantasy Advent Children or Rebecca Chambers of Resident Evil Zero.
In my concluding remarks, I must say that having more female gamers would be a fantastic thing to have in the gaming community. Men wouldn’t be put down for their hobby, and it could lead to better relationships. I don’t think any reasonable guy gamers would object to playing with their significant others if they really put their heart into it. Otherwise, things like this could happen, and that is just a deal breaker all around.
Yes, you read that title correctly. Rod Blagojevich, the former governor of Illinois who was put out of a job after scandal hit his office, believes he is more black than President Obama himself. I have always found the character that is Blagojevich is to be quite amusing, despite his criminal activity.The statement that Blago made was quite insensitive. I generally say that the world is too politically correct and too quick to become offended, but I believe people have a legitimate gripe over his statement. Deanna Bellandi of the Associated Press released a short article about the comments Blagojevich made in an interview with Esquire Magazine. Bellandi writes:
“‘I’m blacker than Barack Obama. I shined shoes. I grew up in a five-room apartment. My father had a little laundromat in a black community not far from where we lived,’ Blagojevich said. ‘I saw it all growing up.’”
I, as a white male, find this incredibly disturbing and racist towards the black community for multiple reasons. First, and foremost, Blagojevich is portraying blacks in a generalist fashion by saying that they all live in rather poor conditions. An individual who makes their living by shining shoes is one who would probably not make a decent living. The very same evidence goes to the apartment portion of the statement as well. A five room apartment is not a very luxurious place to reside in. Who is Blagojevich to insinuate that all blacks are poor? There are many successful black people all around the world. There are many individuals who make a lot of money that this statement would easily offend. Blagojevich’s comments can easily be rightfully labeled as racist.
Furthermore, one who is under the restrictions that poverty provides is probably also not well educated. Once again, of course, Blagojevich is wrong. Just to drop a few names as examples (although no examples are really needed) – Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael Steele, and Oprah are just a few who defy the racism expressed by Blagojevich both in their financial earnings and education. At first I could not fathom how Blagojevich could come to such a conclusion, or even why he would release it to the public. Its political public suicide, right? Not exactly.
Someone once said that there is no such thing as bad press. Blagojevich, who according to Bellandi, is going to appear on the next season of Celebrity Apprentice in March is testing the statement. Blagojevich is trying to get the public riled up, and those who have forgotten Blago to remember him. It is my opinion, that the result that Blagojevich is going for is higher ratings for the popular Trump program. Helping Trump is not the former Governor’s concern however, as it may be a move to try to come off as the nice guy on the show. If he can get enough viewers, be portrayed as a nice fellow that is also hardworking, it may be aid Blagojevich in persuading a jury for his acquittal. Its just a thought that crossed my mind, and it certainly does not make it correct.
Posted Saturday January 9, 2010
at 12:50am in Sports
I just wanted to make a quick post that details my predictions for the first round of the 2009-2010 NFL playoffs.
Jets @ Bengals- The Bengals will win because the Jets are less talented. The Jets may have one of the best RBs in the league for the season, but they also have a rookie quarterback who made a lot of mistakes. Carson Palmer will step up and prove he is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. I don’t care if the Jets blasted the Bengals in week 17; the playoffs are a differenct monster entirely, and they will win on Saturday.
Ravens @ Patriots – I really wanted to pick the Ravens, but they didn’t meet my expectations all season long. I think they are a better team than the Patriots right now, but due to their disappointing nature and the high level of playoff experience of the Patriots will allow them to emerge victorious.
Eagles @ Cowboys- I think the Eagles are a better team, but its just about time that the Cowboys and Tony Romo win a damn playoff game. The Cowboys haven’t won one since 1996. Romo has been playing quite well recently, and I think he will continue to roll the Cowboys to victory.
Packers @ Cardinals – This is my upset pick. I think the Packers are a vastly underrated team, and the Packers quarterback, Aaron Rogers, is one of the best quarterbacks on the team. With the Cardinals having a couple key injuries (Bolden & Rogers-Cromartie), the Packers will take this opportunity to take out the Cards and advance to the second round of the Playoffs. In fact, the Packers are kinda my darkhorse team for the Playoffs. I think they are going to go quite far, maybe not to the Superbowl but I can easily see them getting to the NFC championship game. I think they even have a chance at the Superbowl, but it would be pretty tough to get past the Saints.
Yes, you read that title correctly. Rod Blagojevich, the former governor of Illinois who was put out of a job after scandal hit his office, believes he is more black than President Obama himself. I have always found the character that is Blagojevich is to be quite amusing, despite his criminal activity.The statement that Blago made was quite insensitive. I generally say that the world is too politically correct and too quick to become offended, but I believe people have a legitimate gripe over his statement. Deanna Bellandi of the Associated Press released a 
