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Herald Editorial Board

Bob Bolerjack,
Opinion Editor
bolerjack@heraldnet.com

Carol MacPherson,
Editorial Writer
cmacpherson@
heraldnet.com


Allen Funk,
Herald Publisher
funk@heraldnet.com

Kim Heltne,
Assistant to the Publisher
heltne@heraldnet.com

Send letters to the editor by e-mail to letters@heraldnet.com, by fax to 425-339-3458 or mail to The Herald - Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.

 
WEEK IN REVIEW
Wednesday


81 veterans' names, 81 meaningful lives honored...
USO singer's voice still charms them in Edmonds
Monroe honking case makes it to state Supreme C...
Tuesday


Fire destroys Emory's restaurant
Peggy Pritchard Olson always put Edmonds first
Camano Island burglaries spike: Is Colton back?
Monday


Tree clearing, mud slide angers Everett neighbor
Later start for school day unlikely in Marysville
Hopes for Snohomish excursion train may hinge o...
Sunday


Glacier Peak freshman overcomes jitters to win ...
Gay marriage issue can wait, say Referendum 71 ...
Cities across south Snohomish County see tax re...
Saturday


Thousands honor slain Seattle police officer Ti...
Suspect identified in Seattle police killing
Mountlake Terrace thrilled by high school's fir...
Friday


Officer Timothy Brenton. Gone, but not forgotten
Person sought in officer's killing is shot in head
Thousands to pay respects to slain Seattle poli...
Thursday


Tale of 1916 Everett Massacre retold in style o...
Reservist survived Iraq but not his return to c...
Swine flu suspected in infant’s death
 

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Published: Wednesday, April 30, 2008

'WORLD OF WARCRAFT'

Can't ignore game's societal impacts

Regarding the Monday article, "Lynnwood man makes a living selling 'World of Warcraft' characters":

Being a player of this and other interactive role-playing video games over the past 10 years, I am very interested in the societal impacts of such games.

In response to the idea of any sort of business developing and selling WOW characters, at Mr. Knight's "professional" pace, it would take 14 full days of work to be a saleable character for $200-$700. Assuming all other circumstances are perfect, that's $4 per hour average wage. Lucrative?

Rather than this unrealistic bent on the phenomenon of "World of Warcraft," we would be better served to focus on the more prevalent societal impacts of the game. People around the world are logging 40-plus hours per week on this addictive game. In the process they are losing their friends, family, health, careers, grades, motivation and outside interests.

The most appealing thing about "World of Warcraft" is that it allows you to completely escape reality. You can completely recreate yourself with a perfect body, no-risk social interactions, and a certain destiny... if you work hard, you will succeed. No guesswork, no landslides (unless someone hacks your account). If you run into a pitfall you can look up the absolute correct answer on the Net!

Wouldn't we all like that in life?

The problem is, as you play more, you develop obligations within the game just like the ones you were trying to escape by playing it. An addicted gamer may feel like they actually have two lives. What ends up happening is they give up more and more of the "real" one in lieu of the one with the more certain rewards -- the online life.

There are many Web sites available to research the impact of addiction to this game.

Claire Peterson
Marysville

1. Emory’s owner fears fire was arson
2. Monroe honking case makes it to state Supreme Court
3. Vatican ponders the souls in space
4. 81 veterans' names, 81 meaningful lives honored in Snohomish
5. Hope dims that Olympics will boost region
6. Student hit in crosswalk to return
7. Smokey Point to celebrate end of roadwork
8. Death on Edmonds waterfront ruled a suicide
9. Help for young moms may continue
10. Semifinal slate sealed on ‘Dancing With Stars’
Enterprise Newspaper Snohomish County Business Journal
Bazaar Fever
Hawks proud of historic season
Olson always put Edmonds first
Honoring student veterans
‘Wheedle' author comes to Lynnwood bookshop
Mavs build early lead en route to easy win
Prep football games of the week (state playoffs)
Tears of laughter, tears of grief
Death on Edmonds beach likely a suicide
The Enterprise Online Newspaper


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