The Grand Theft Auto 5 Phenomenon

Let's start with the basics.  Financially, the game has been a success.  It has been, financially, a phenomenon that has never happened before.  At least not from the point of a retailing entertainment product.

So it basically means if you were born under the sun today you'll know about Grand Theft Auto 5.

So I, as a game enthusiast, pop-culture fan, and lover of most things involving stylistic violence/satiric humor, was looking forward to it.

This article is not about the game play exactly, although I may touch upon it.  This is about what buying this game says about us as a society, and is it necessarily a bad thing?

For the past few weeks I've played through the game without any aid as to how to play the game.  No help on any missions just using my instincts and trial and error.  I'm not anywhere near as big of a gamer as I was in high school or my first few years in college.

As you immerse yourself into the game you begin as Franklin.  Any doubt that this game is aimed at Mature audiences is put to rest within the first 5 minutes of the game.  If a kid at the age of 10 or 12 got the game, there is probably a problem with parenting.  It opens up with 'Fucks' and 'Niggas' being spewed out of a couple of black gangsters, followed by all sorts of profanity, guns and bloodshed. It seems everything is put on the table upfront.

It screams, "This is made for people who understand R rated movies" and things of that nature, which is all fiction and not BASED on reality.  Yes it's comparable to a reality and it's not as exaggerated, but it is clearly NOT reality.  If you don't think a kid can make this distinction, it's probably in the parent/guardian's best interest to not let their kid get directly exposed to the game.

Now comes the fun.

As you're delivered your basic tutorial of how the game works you become exposed to gun play aspect of the game: attempting to take cover, return fire, and essentially kick ass during a firefight.  It gives you tips as to your special abilities, such as a slow-motion mode, and a mode in which you have limited nigh invulnerability.

The firefight is fun, and you get a discernible kick from the whole beginning scenes as the game shows off pretty real looking environments, most of which can be impacted by things that you do.

Eventually, you're given control of your characters to do in the city whatever you like.  Creatively dividing your figurative sandbox into sections where you can do particular side games.  If you want to go to the racing ride, go here. If you want to go get new clothes go here; get a new, car do this.

At all times you feel as though you're in control of what's going on, yet your character is defined by the game, and not you.

You are a criminal.

No matter how much you try in this game, no matter who you are in real life, however good natured and honest you might be.  In this reality, you are a criminal.  And it's up to you how you act.

You will have unlimited lives and penalties for breaking the law are more time consumption than anything else, as money is not necessarily needed to procure most of your guns and ammunition.  When performing the games main storyline and objectives, you have unlimited attempts at the mission, and once completed, can be attempted again.

With this in mind, the game sort of encourages you to be bad.  Why not?  That's kinda what the game is about.

However, after advancing through the game, it's interesting to note that the game regularly makes fun of the person playing it.  Playing up stereotypes of American video game players being privileged, self indulgent narcissists who are interested in being cool and hanging out with celebrities.  In fact Grand Theft Auto's writers cut so deep that at one point I actually felt bad myself that I was playing a game and not trying to better myself in some kind of 'real' way.

The game touches on many real world issues, such as the legalization of marijuana, power of government agencies and government contracts, to the importance of friendship and feelings of betrayal.  Yet all the while the player is acutely aware that this world is such an exaggeration of reality that it never feels preachy. Rather, it seems to be one fun joke that you're in on.

Killing random strangers doesn't make you feel good, but it doesn't make you feel bad either. It's typically done out of boredom or to get a little extra cash.  The fact that law enforcement can be difficult to shake after 3 or 4 stars on your 'wanted' level actually keeps must of your criminal activity in check.

I think the obsession with Grand Theft Auto is not a new one.  I believe most people have a fantasy to become a criminal.  This is probably proven out through movies and television mostly.  We love series and movies such as 'Breaking Bad' and 'Goodfellas' but those stories and characters are made by others.  In this game, YOU get to decide the fate of your criminal.

This is what I believe the real appeal of the game is.  That you play the guy that gets away with the crime.  You get to maneuver around a fictional Los Angeles, driving anything you can get your hands on, and decide how bad you want to be.  I would be interested in knowing the data collected by Rockstar as to just what the average number for murders within the game is.  My own guess is that it would be relatively low considering the ease and lack of consequences.  Most of my time is spent highjacking cars and just driving around looking for new things to do.  I play the in-game stock market with insider trading tips received from doing a driving mission.

In the end, Grand Theft Auto V will rightly be placed as a landmark achievement as the most immersive entertainment product of its generation.  A game that takes advantage with society's obsession with criminals and delivers a game that embraces that dark side in such a satirical way that it becomes harmless.  

Wedding Day

 Wedding Day

I've seen you dance before
But not like this
Never like this.

The smile never fades
The eyes never close
And through all of the lenses
Your beauty can't not be shown

We touch
We kiss
And we think we've never known bliss
We touch
We kiss
Wish we would have thought the words before this

You show off like diamonds
Tears around you can't stop falling
And you can't help but feel
That you're the only one shining

We touch
We kiss
And we think the future's never known love like this
We touch
We kiss
And we think the future's never known love like this

The Surprise Hit: Cast and Crew.

Sometimes in life you're just going to be wrong about things based on your first impression.

You may be wrong about a movie based on the trailers given.  Sometimes you may be wrong about your favorite sports teams after they acquire some of the top talent in the league (*ahem, Lakers) or about the quality of a car.

When you're wrong, typically this results in a feeling of disappointment, that the quality is not what you expected it to be.

Other times, your expectations are blown away so completely that you could care less that you were wrong and can now only concentrate on how great the experience your currently having is.

Going to Cast and Crew in Mansfield was that experience for me.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, I found myself fighting the urge to just go to a fast food place or order a pizza.  A simple building that's found next to a small car dealership, a welding plant and a bowling alley, its outside decor would be best put as 'minimal'.  By 'minimal' I mean there is literally nothing to entice someone to come in other than the fact that you know it's a restaurant and you're hungry.

Honestly, if it weren't for the Internet and online reviews I very much doubt this place would ever get noticed by anyone outside of the area.

However....A quick search of cast and crew and you get pretty much the same thing over and over.

The food is great, the food is reasonably priced, and there are a ton of options.

This is all that really identifies the small hut as a restaurant. 

So, despite my new found reservations about the place looking like it might serve nothing but chicken tenders, pulled pork and hot dogs, I pushed on relying and putting faith in the recommendations of others.

Inside, the dining area was as simple as could be.  Booths along the wall, a few tables in the middle.  On the walls were some random movie and television memorabilia as well as posters with famous quotes.  Nothing particularly noteworthy, but none the less it opens up obvious conversation pieces for the customers as they wait for their food.

Not particularly busy on this Sunday night, seating was not an issue, but if traveling with a group of 6 or more on a Friday or Saturday I would call ahead of time.

After taking a seat, I first set my eyes on the behemoth that is the menu at 'Cast and Crew'.

It is to date, the biggest menu I believe I've ever seen.  Anywhere.  Appetizers, salads, wraps, burgers, soups, pasta, pizza, steak and seafood entrees and desserts.  All with at least 10 listed items as well as encouragement to let the cook try and invent a new item based on YOUR preferences and the availability of ingredients. 

I came to a state of shock.  I felt like I could get anything in the world because it seemed like they tried to fit the entire world into 5 pieces of skinny menu paper.  It's honestly a bit intimidating at first but then this incredible rush takes place where you realize you can order just about anything under the sun.

I leave my fate in the hands of the chef.  Choosing the selection 'Dare to Dine' I have given up all control and left my order in hands of the Chef and letting him cook an entree that would justify the $25.99 entree price.  I gave the waitress my preference for steak temperature, and she's off to let the chef know. 

The meal starts with a complimentary side salad and bread.  I find the salad to be good but nothing particularly outstanding.

The wait time and service were both very reasonable and when the food arrives I notice that I'm so excited/anxious/nervous about the delivery of my mystery meal that I've been nervously tapping my silverware for the past 15 minutes.

What arrives before me is both exactly something that I want, and something that I have no clue how it was executed.

On top of two Steak Filet's, are five jumbo shrimp wrapped in bacon, with what appears to be a cheese, mushroom, and tomato cream sauce.  On the side are assorted vegetables sauteed in butter as well as potatoes.

Everything was delicious and cooked well, though I found it to be a bit too heavy with both the vegetables and the sauce in the entree using either cream or butter.  The taste of everything was excellent with great seasoning used not only on the entree but on the potatoes and vegetables as well.

Dessert was a simple order of zeppoli's that came out hot and fresh and in such a large quantity that I felt like was dreaming.  Accompanied by both a chocolate and mascarpone dips the dessert was exquisite.

Upon leaving, I came to the realization that I could not believe that dining experience happened at this small little building located in rural northern Pennsylvania.  It felt like I was lucky enough to be part of something so simple, so fantastic, but hidden away from sight of most of the world.

While that experience is unique and certainly part of the restaurants charm, what ultimately defines Cast and Crew is it's incredible food selection, reasonable prices and great quality in the food itself.

Though the menu is vast, I am curious what the options would be in a different climate and environment.  There aren't options for more exotic (or expensive) items such as swordfish, lamb or lobster.  This makes sense given the location since they would probably be rarely ordered but with more ingredients I'm sure the chef could come up with some even more interesting combinations.

Pros:  Huge number of food options, price/value, quality of food.  

Cons: Decor could use work, No super exotic options (lamb, lobster, swordfish,)

      

Thoughts On The Otherside

Lately, I've felt as though death has been playing a larger role than usual within my life.  Ranging from friends losing family members, or teachers losing students, to my own families near death experiences.  I've written about my friend having an aggressive form of cancer, and now most recently a former classmate and teammate has passed.

These events, especially given their close proximity to one another has led me to deal with various strong emotions both negative and positive.

In dealing with these particularly strong stressors I believe that the most useful outlets are to become more involved in the routines of our lives.  Exercise, as well as getting back to the routine of work can be extremely helpful.  Remain conscious of your diet, staying away from too many heavy comfort foods.  Stay mentally active in these pursuits to as to not lose focus.

Moving beyond death is necessary to life.  No one is immortal and almost surely everyone who lives will have someone, more than likely multiple people who pass before them.  While the process can be difficult, those who can move forward in these times honor those who have moved on by living their lives as brilliantly as possible. 


This is just my own personal view on the subject. I do not think myself so wise that other thoughts on the subject are not worth attention, rather I've found my own particular methods to dealing with death have worked well for me.



I wrote this poem about the death of someone close and then trying to move past the grieving process.  I wrote it mostly as a sense of therapy for me, but I think it's a good enough poem to share. 

Springs First Flower

When there is confusion, return to the routine.
When there is anger, let go to the breeze
When there is despair, turn to me

Gone, gone, too early and fast
Memories too strong, vivid the past
Felt the the blow from miles away
Watched Springs first flower turn black

I will remember the yesterday
I will forget the promised tomorrow
I will live in the moment
I will love in the moment

So
Gone, gone, the flags at half mast
The day's so long, the nights forever last
Felt the blow from miles away
But I won't let it stop me from sharing a laugh

I will remember the yesterday
I will forget the promised tomorrow
I will live in the moment
I will love in the moment

The problems of being an Agnostic.

I do not believe in a God.

At least certainly not the popularized ones that are popular in today's culture in America.

Technically speaking I'm agnostic, but probably closer to an atheist than anything.

That does not mean I have no faith.  That I believe in Nothing.  That I believe that there is no right or wrong.

I believe most deeply in humanity.  I believe that our nature is predominantly good, even if we fail at times to achieve it. 

That in difficult times, we will bond together to overcome obstacles, whatever they may be.



Yet when I encounter someone who makes it their business to tell me about their religion I tend to be silent.  Inside I feel as though their religion is foolish and it would to be there advantage to deal with the realities of the world rather than believe in things that are in so many ways just unbelievable.

However problems arise when religious leaders attempt to sway their followers into despising other religions.  It breeds hate and distrust, two things that are extremely destructive in societies. 

Recently, Pope Francis announced that "Anyone that does not pray to the Lord, prays to the devil".  Meaning that I supposedly am in opposition to Christians and their way of life.

The leader of essentially the wealthiest and most influential religion essentially just said "If you're not with us, you're against us."

This is not the case.  I feel that as a whole most atheists could not care less what religion a person practices.  That in most cases it's the actions of people outside of religious activities that matter more.  If a person is a productive and law abiding citizen, it's of no importance what their religion is. 

I understand that many people get their peace of mind through their faith in their religion and there are beneficial values that can be taught by scriptures or priests.  In this way I can understand the value of church to some. 

Yet today I believe we need less trust in Gods and more in each other.  All over I see people make assumptions based on how they dress, their politics, their skin, and obviously their religion.  The America I was raised on, the one that I dream that I'll live to see, is one where those things don't matter, that the only important trait one would posses would be that of their character.

Dr. King and Obama

I know that I don't believe in every policy he's ever had or promised, just as I'm sure there are people who did not agree with every policy Bush made, or Reagan, or Clinton or anyone else who held the position of President of The United States of America.  It's an extremely difficult office, and one of extreme importance. 

Today make sure you think of Dr. King in realizing, that no matter what, race is not a factor in who holds that office.  Nor should it be.  While racial tension is still an issue, and tolerance occasionally fades to ignorance, the amount of progress we have made is STILL to be commended.

I have made great friends with people of all races and creeds and I thank Dr. King for helping move this country far enough along that I can do so without the fear of being persecuted. 

Yes there still exist stereotypes, distrust, and inequality. 

Today, the President of The United States happens to be a man of African descent.  He is neither no more and no less of an American as any of us.  For he is no more and no less of a PERSON than any of us.

He, like all of us, is human.  And he, like every president before him, is but one man.

If we are to move forward as a nation, if we are truly attempt to solve the problems in our society, in our economy, and attempt to be the model the rest of the world should follow, than we must first start in trusting in one another.


Or as Dr. King himself said...

"We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools."

I don't know how Dr. King would feel about Obama.  Whether he thought he was a good president, or a foolish one.  I also can't know how Dr. King would feel about the steps we've made to become a more tolerant and non-violent society.

I can say, that with almost absolute certainty, that had he not been the man he was, I would never be the person I am today.  I have had many role models, from family members, to athletes, to friends.  But perhaps the role model I'm most proud to say I attempted to learn from his teachings, is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  

Finishing The Story.

Let's just start.

The beginning isn't as important as the end anyway...


Lance Armstrong's Foundation has raised nearly 500 million dollars to help those who are dealing with cancer.

His story was a symbol of hope and strength for so many.  He was THE American Hero, who beat Cancer, then went on to be one of the most celebrated athletes in the world due to has ability to win a record number of 'Tour De France' competitions in a row.

Yet after years of steadfast denial, he admits that he DID cheat the rules of the competition and competed with an artificial advantage.

Let's just stop there.

Manti Te'o was a superstar.  He was an incredible athlete, at a recognized institution that had it's best and most storied season in at least two decades.  He was good, and what resonated more, was the tragedy that had befallen him, losing both apparently his Grand Mother and his girlfriend on the same day, and within 6 hours of each other.

Now, it appears that Te'o's girlfriend was never ever real, and that this was either a con job on either Te'o or it was a con meant for ESPN and the American Public in an effort for Te'o to generate more 'buzz' around his senior year and perhaps move his stock up in the draft.

Let's stop again.

These stories are great.  They're incredible, they have lies, they have cover-ups (seemingly) and they offend our senses.  They are what you dream for as a journalist looking for an article that will sell.

But these stories are not finished.

The proper line of questioning needs to be followed and executed.  Those involved must be asked direct, thoughtful questions, and those asking must be searching only for the truth and not a pre-conceived notion of what they believe the truth to be.

I do not believe that in either case their actions merit immediate or overarching penalties. 

As pundits, reporters, analysts, podcasters, bloggers, and columnists all come together to offer our over inflated opinions, I for one will preach patience in these stories, for there are still many questions that should be asked, and deserve an honest answer.

As much as want justice, as much as we want our heroes, as much as we want the stories to end in a fashion we desire, we cannot assume the outcome here, and to do so could allow guilty parties to remain free while innocent ones are unfairly harmed.

Today, and in the weeks to come, continue to read about the stories of Armstrong and Te'o because their stories are unique, intriguing, full of powerful institutions and people, and full of deceit.

But most of all, read on because the ending hasn't been written.

The Children Left Behind

Have we already forgotten and moved on?

Have the names already faded?

The rhetoric has died down, the sadness, the rage, the call for change...disappearing in the midst of the holidays.

America no longer seems to be interested in changing things, instead, resigned to the status quo.

As though school shootings are just a tolerable inevitability, and the deaths, though tragic, cannot be prevented.

I want to bring this topic back up. Not to stir emotions, not to say I'm right and someone else is wrong, but to keep the attention on a serious problem I believe should be addressed by us as a society.

School shootings are not new. There have been literally hundreds of shootings in America since the 1700's. It is not a phenomenon unique to America, as other countries also experience similar tragedies (though on a far, far less frequent rate.)

Yet in the 1980's and 1990's there was a sharp increase in gun crime involving schools as well as an increase in youth suicide involving guns.

The mental stability of children seems to have decreased, with more children being diagnosed with an array of conditions ranging from Bi-Polar Disorder, Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Depression.

Perhaps these conditions have always been around and due to the limitations of science and technology went undiagnosed. Perhaps as medicine and pharmaceutical companies have pushed for more money, they have a vested interest in keeping people on their drugs. Perhaps there is an increase in poor parenting, or that the video games have gotten too realistic and the human mind cannot distinguish reality from fantasy at a young age and the results have been catastrophic. Maybe it's the media, unintentionally glorifying the killers and murderers of past tragedies.

Perhaps it's the weapon peddlers, the ones who have a vested interest in every age group in some way liking guns. The gun business is an incredible one, and one that the United States is very, VERY good at. The amount of money spent on arms in the United States dwarfs every other country. We have exported the most weapons of any country over the past decade. At the same time we have IMPORTED the 4th most, essentially making the United States THE trading ground for weaponry.

What that essentially means, is that at any given time acquiring a gun is easier in the United States than in anywhere else in the world due to the sheer number of guns in the country.

As we look back, I find it difficult to blame the media, the video games, or anything of that nature. Gangsters and hoodlums and generally bad people have been glamorized for years. Millions of kids watch violent movies, play violent video games, watch the news, yet they do not go on murderous rampages.

 

I find it hard to blame the access to guns, for while we are more prone to gun violence in general due to sheer number, this specific tragedy (school shootings) has spiked seemingly independent of any gun law, spike in trade or otherwise gun related variable. Also, violent crime overall has actually dropped. School shootings have remained immune though and have appeared to either increase or at least remained at a steady rate.

I do wonder about the mental health angle though. I wonder because it's the one subject that is possibly the most difficult to answer. With all the advances in medicine, why do we appear to be increasingly diagnosed with more and more mental disorders? Are our brains actually less healthy than the generations before us? And if so why?

I don't doubt the validity that there are people with mental health problems. I, myself was diagnosed at an early age with depression. At times, the symptoms have seemed unbearable, from feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, to a lack of appetite and desire for things I once enjoyed all the time.

To date, I now find myself in a good and happy life. I am generally optimistic about the future, and feel lucky and blessed to have lived the life I've gotten to live so far. I do have regrets and haunts that I feel are probably exacerbated by my condition but I've learned to accept that I cannot change those things and while it sucks to have those crummy memories, I've made far more good ones than bad ones.

I feel a solid base of self-esteem growing from a sense of my past accomplishments combined with the validation of love from friends and family. (i.e., laughing together, high fives, hugs, a kiss from my girlfriend etc.)

I am lucky. I know it. and I believe I have overcome my depression.

But I also believe I almost didn't.

There was a point where I felt all alone. That I felt like it wasn't worth it anymore. That time happened to be when I was living at home. Today, I am wondering aloud, "Would I be alive if my parents had a gun in the house and I knew where it was?"

It's a question I can only pose for a minute before my own stomach turns. I don't know what the answer is, but I do have a good guess. And I hate my own answer. What if my symptoms were worse?

But herein lies what possibly saved my life. My parents NOT owning a gun. Perhaps it was unintended yes, but I wonder if it is not unreasonable for the care taker of a child with severe enough symptoms of various mental disorders be disallowed from possessing a gun? Should those diagnosed with Depression, Bi-Polar Disorder, Autism and other states of discontent of the mind EVER be able to own guns?  And if so who determines this?

What this would be asking for, in this scenario, is a clear amendment to the right to bear arms. That due to the greater concern over our society’s well-being, the government would enforce this as law. Presumably this would help ease fear of guns being accessed by unstable individuals capable of doing harm on a large scale.

The problem with this is, I don't know how successful this law would actually be. It doesn't solve those that have access to guns now, and the process would be incredibly cumbersome in its implementation.

It also doesn't mean that the law would decrease overall violence, as it remains plausible that gun violence and suicides are replaced with other methods.

This may also risk that those kids who ARE diagnosed might have their private health concerns made public without consent.

While it's true I support and can identify to some extent with anyone dealing with mental health issues themselves, as well as the families and friends of such people, I still do not believe it is the Government's job to regulate this problem. That, instead, it falls on us as private citizens to instill positive values and morals to our children, and responsible gun ownership by those who desire to own them.

As I'm thankful for my own set of circumstances that have eventually led to my current state of life (which is very good in my own estimation). I am acutely aware that mental health concerns in this world are real and that they too need to be addressed.

It appears that the preferred method of treatment has changed, that rather than engage patients to address their problems, they are instead prescribed pills, their mood then monitored, and then prescriptions adjusted accordingly.

Perhaps the effectiveness of this type of treatment should be monitored, and thought should be given to more personal and non-pharmaceutical alternatives. These are questions that need to be investigated and reviewed.

Finally there is the issue of security at schools. By and large schools are already underfunded in this country. Many of the teachers that I've contacted complain that there is not enough money for simple things such as supplies or books, much less for increased security. One proposal was simple enough, to train teachers as to what to do if there was a shooter and perhaps drilling students on what to do as well. That being prepared by security professionals, while not a solution to the underlying causes, may at least give short term help to reducing casualties if a shooting event were to occur.

Some presented the idea of arming teachers or having guns in the school, yet I feel that this only would present more opportunities for a maladjusted person to gain access to a weapon and would increase violence rather than decrease it.

My personal preference at this stage? An increase in overall school funding, with an emphasis for counseling for those who exhibit anti-social tendencies. The cuts I would make to pay for the additional funding would be to our military budget (easily the most bloated expenditure of our tax dollars).

If we are going to be serious about ending the horrific events such as Newtown, then we need an ongoing dialogue and then resulting action. We cannot continue to pay lip service to how we want safer schools and a better society and just hope and pray that it happens.

If we are going to be a truly good society, one that is befitting of a world super power, then it is time to start caring about these issues for more than a week or two.  

We can do better than this.