Video Game Addiction - The Seduction of Virtual Life

The Seduction

The internet can be an escape from the world for many people, and for some people it can be an escape from themselves.

The internet has become a playground for many people to act out fantasies and take on new identities that were not possible before. This relatively new technology is allowing people to indulge in fantasies in much more sophisticated and "real" ways. The internet provides the dangerous combination of anonymity, impunity and no accountability.

Online Fantasies

Some studies show that as many as two-thirds of people who socialize online change their age or gender - But it is also often taken further. A quiet teenager in an online multiplayer game could be a powerful warlock and rule over a large virtual realm. Or an adult man could pretend to be a 14 year old boy talking to adolescent girls online. Either way, spending hours a day in this virtual identity, disconnected from reality, can lead to skewed and unbalanced real identities.

Addiction?

Although some hesitate to call it an addiction, there are clearly some people who have developed a strong dependency. Often times, getting Rock Band For Nintendo involved in a secondary self is just an outlet for more serious issues. Problems at home or school or shyness and social phobia can lead people to find ways to live a life free of these stresses and anxieties. By pretending to be someone else, one can feel empowered and boost their self esteem while being acknowledged by anonymous others also in the system.

This can have a negative effect, as a person finds that they can relate less and less to those around them. As people spend more time online becoming deeply involved in a virtual identity, they can start to associate themselves more with their online selves than their real selves. Feelings of isolation can be compounded and the only friends one has to turn to are those who know you in the fantasy world.

No one knows the extent of the problem. Many people who get engrossed in another identity online will be spending much of their time in their room or a basement or a dark corner of an internet caf. The relationships that can develop through online chatting and socializing can be very real and satisfying, but without face to face interaction, there is no stability or framework for trust.

If young people become too used to interacting online where anything goes and they can be anybody, it can handicap their real social skills for the future. Online fantasy role playing can be a unhealthy escape for some people who need to confront and cope with more serious issues.

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Learn more about the pleasures, and dangers, of virtual living http://www.troubleblog.com/internet-addiction/2008210/

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World Of Warcraft Easy Gold Guide - Fishing

This is a short guide that will inform you about a fishing route which will result in you making more than 150 gold per hour! The only requirements are that you have a flying mount, can get your fishing skill to at least 380 (475 is recommended), and are able to track fishing nodes. If you cannot track fishing nodes, then head to Zangarmarsh and fish in the 'Floating Wreckage' nodes until you receive a Weather-Beaten Journal from a Heavy Supply Crate. If you have a character with these requirements, then you are capable of making more than 150 gold per hour (actual amount may vary depending on your server's Auction House prices).

In Nagrand, there are 2 major lakes (Lake Sunspring and Skysong Lake), a band of rivers south of the Horde town of Garadar and east of Halaa, and a small pond on the Elemental Plateau. Make sure you take note of these locations, as they will be your fishing route.

Begin by flying to the small pond on the Elemental Plateau. You are in the correct location if you see the Crashing Wave-Spirits. Make sure that you have Find Fish turned on and begin looking for nodes. The nodes you want to find the most are 'Pure Water' nodes, as these contain Motes of Water. However, also fish in the 'Bluefish School' and 'Mudfish School' nodes. These are the only three types of nodes you will encounter on your route.

Once you fish all of the nodes in the pond by the Elemental Plateau, fly south into Skysong Lake. You should be just south of the Throne of the Elements. Go clockwise around the edge of the lake, stopping and fishing for any node you see as you pass by. Once you go around the entire lake, head south past Garadar and over the band of rivers. Turn southwest towards Halaa (you should be flying over the rivers), and fish at the nodes you pass by. Once you reach Halaa, fly west to Lake Sunspring. Just as Skysong Lake, fly clockwise around the edge of the lake, stopping and fishing for any node you see as you pass by. Once you fish all the nodes there, fly west past Halaa and search again for nodes in the band of rivers. Fly northeast back towards Skysong Lake and make another trip around its edge. Lastly, fly north to the pond on the Elemental Plateau. Rinse and repeat this route about 4 or 5 times per hour. The time will depend on if you use a regular or epic flying mount and the amount of competition.

At the end of the hour, you should have around 3 or 4 Primal Waters and at least 2 stacks of fish. The Primal Waters sell for 20-25g each and the stack of fish sell for 15-20g a stack. If you are able to cook the Icefin Bluefish and Figluster's Mudfish into Poached Bluefish and Grilled Mudfish, you will be able to sell them for 20-30g. In total, you should have over 75g from the Primal Waters and over 50g from the fish. With an epic flying mount and a fishing skill of 495, I am able to get 4 Primal Waters and almost 3 stacks of fish per hour using this route. A very easy and casual way to make lots of gold!

Justin Hopley is the owner of rapidwow, a blog dedicated to the World of warcraft, and helping players learn and progress throughout the game with lots of information and World Of Warcraft Guides. He also has created several World Of Warcraft Class Guides that are in dept and up to date.

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