My initial thought about this was like, "Whoa!" This is a "grown man" playing make believe where it was a reality in his (Madison) eyes. His following was invited to join via word of mouth/technology later on and his mother died in the process where he couldn't think of any words to say for her but, could break down Taloosa's by-laws to keep "his world" ongoing. Unbelievable! I don't disagree about having an imagination. It's a bit sad to hear that family and friends separated themselves from him and others that followed this world of Talossa. While reading this story, it made me think about the challenges that many people are facing by being laid off from work and trying to find work these days to take care of their family or themselves. Some people just don't have the time to play and disgregard responsibility.
Years ago, I can remember a few of my co-workers not coming to work/sleeping at the desk and soon to get fired by taking the online game EverQuest to serious. EverQuest became an addiction that they couldn't shake off. It's unfortunate that it costs these co-workers their jobs but, they were negating their obligations in real life. Also, there has been one well-publicized suicide of an EverQuest user named Shawn Woolley that resulted in his mother, Liz, founding Online Gamers Anonymous.
Cramer - Thanks for bringing up D&D. The game and cartoon were fun to play and watch. I can remember all the kids wanting to be Merlin since he was one of the more popular characters. Every year in October thru November here, they have the Renaissance Festival (http://www.royalfaires.com/carolina/) to celebrate medieval times and perform several role plays. The participants really go all out for this event.
Mary, Mike T., and all: I have to agree that Fraternities and Sororities are valuable assets to each individual that joins them as well the sense of community that each brings on a global scale and daily basis. I can assure you that I joined my fraternity because I felt my "talents" could be an asset to the organization, as a whole. Most of these organizations were created to uphold a sense of community and scholarship. Although you may have not agreed with all members in your organization, you do establish friendships for a lifetime. The challenge that all these organizations need to be mindful of is how can we continue to be relevant and resourceful to "reach back" and uplift those in need.
Overall, this article reminded me that the world as we see it may not be the world we live in. Some people are living behind their online personas through technology and trying to make it the reality of this world beyond it really being virtual. We need to tell people to be mindful of their extra-activities by shuting down "Mafia Wars," for instance, before someone really feels that they are part of something bigger than what is actually happening in their real lives. "They are not of the world, as I am not of the world." - John 17:16
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