quote:Original post by deClavier Shared focus = shared identity + No identity = no meaning == group consciousness - love.
Question: is your success on a computer game ever going to win you love in reality?
Answer will determine viability of MMO paradigm.
Huh...?
The reason for playing games online - or by yourself for that matter - isn''t to find real-life love. It''s for the entertainment (for most people anyway).
The question is irrelevant so the answer determines nothing.
(Shared focus = shared identity) + (No identity = no meaning) == (group consciousness - love).
Anon, one could limit the concept of "Love in reality" to the self, whereby the love is limited to self as self-recuperation through emancipation from the the game ahead of the group. However, from what other replies have said, this is indeed what occurs AND is regarded as a flaw. "Love in reality" as I called it, as a social love, IS therefore imperative, therefore implying that the experience must be socially constructive in some degree. As a system, any game defined as above will inevitably disintegrate with time unless it is used as a tool for the status quo, whereof reality is rejected as more chaotic than the game state and participation is purely perfunctory (perhaps that is what you are defending, yes?).
