Recently, a “free-to-play location-based, augmented reality game” app called Pokemon Go has captured the minds and time of millions of people around the world. Its ubiquitous presence in media has prompted me to do some research.
A quick search on the history of Pokemon tells us that the founder Satoshi Tajiri began developing the Pokemon game series since 1995-96. A good source can be found http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/History_of_Pok%C3%A9mon
Some people claimed that Satoshi created this game because he wanted to rebel against his Christian parents and he wanted to create a game with anti-Chrisitn theme. Time magazine had an interview in 1999 with Mr. Tajiri and it was never mentioned in the article that the creator of Pokemon had such intention. Read here.
Mr. Tajiri caught bugs and insects during his childhood in Japan, training and putting the bugs into fight with each other. He later decided to put this idea of bug catching into a game for children. The practice of training and fighting bugs, by the way, was also very popular in rural China in the old days.
Fast forward to year 2016.
Since the release of Pokemon Go, millions of people have been captivated by this app. According to Wiki
In the game, players use the smart device’s GPS and camera to capture, battle, and train virtual creatures, called Pokémon, who appear on the screen as if they were in the same real-world location as the player. The game supports in-app purchases, which are used for additional gameplay items.
Huh? To my limited mind, this means that the app would spawn virtual monster randomly in a real location, which can only been seen with a smartphone or tablet. The player then has to walk to that location and try to capture the monster. He can then train and battle this monster with other players’ monsters.
Sounds like fun.
However, there are many reports that people have been seen holding up their cellphones, walking and running around the neighborhood while trying to catch the virtual creatures. There have been many reports of accidents and complaints against Pokemon players:
- Two Israelis injured in Pokemon Go accidents
- Driver playing Pokemon Go crashes into St Francis Xavier College in Berwick
- Theft, accidents reported amid ‘Pokemon Go’ fever
- ….and many more
What is interesting to note is that the accidents took place around the world regardless of age, race and gender. It seems like this game is able to captivate grownups as well as young children, so much so that they forgo commonsense safety and awareness of surrounding. This is unprecedented and significant. This phenomenon of craziness reflects the emptiness and dumbness of majority of population.
For decades, people have been inculcated with secular, self-gratification, anti-Christian information from TV, radio, movies and games. With Internet and wireless technologies, the effect has been multiplied enormously. People have disconnected themselves from nature and reality. The advancement of artificial intelligence and virtual/digital entertainment has smothered our creativity and stifled face-to-face, meaningful conversations among people.
How many of us have seen, or been a part of the group of people where we sit together in a restaurant but don’t talk; instead we focus all our energy into the tiny device in front of us? How many of us feel a sense of loss and uncertainty when we misplace our smartphones/tablets? How many times have we seen a person walking on the street, crossing the road with his head down and typing a text or checking his Facebook?
Now Pokemon Go has taken the existing dangers of digital technologies to a new level. Regardless of whether the content of the game, i.e. monsters, pagan gods, demons is evil in is origin, I believe this game should be avoided; simply because it can be so addictive that you can lose your very life by playing it!
Just like everything else in life, too much of something (with the exception of praying and reading the Bible) will wreak havoc on ourselves and others around us. Some of us might not be crazy on Pokemon Go, but we might be guilty of spending hours on Facebook and Twitter. Some of us might not be taking part in the digital world, but we might be addicted in alcohol and pornography etc…..
Ultimately, it is a heart issue. Do we choose to be close to this world or close to God? There are literally millions of things that can pull us away from God and appease to the lust of our flesh. This is a lifelong battle of human as described by Paul in Romans 7.
Friends, I do believe it is wise to limit the usage of your handheld devices, computers and TV. Pickup a good book and read. Go out to the park and do some exercises. Plant a garden and watch things grow. Talk (and I don’t mean texting) face-to-face with people. Technology have helped and shaped our lives tremendously, but it has also created loneliness and separation among individuals.
Moderation and balance is the key.