It’s Time We Got Some Perspective

By: Dylan Snyder | March 1st, 2010

Greetings and salutations, my dear Limiters.  It’s been a while since I wrote a proper blog, but given the apocalyptic fumes in the air, I figured it might be time to give it another go.  However, I am sad to say that this is not a joyous return.  Far from it.  For a matter has arisen that both frustrates and disappoints me.  Quite deeply, in fact.

By now, every gamer and his/her grandma knows of the frantic situation that has gripped the video gaming community.  Specifically, I speak of the PSN “calendar bug” that seems to be claiming the lives of innocent PS3′s all across the world.  Let me assure you that this blog is not about analyzing what is and isn’t wrong with the system, who’s fault it is, and why it has suddenly become preferred ammunication classification uno in the console war.  Instead, this blog is designed to offer a little bit of perspective and friendly (but firm) advice on how we conduct ourselves.  This is that advice:

We need to grow the hell up.

I can’t tell you how annoyed by this whole scenario I’ve been, and not because I suddenly cannot log on to the Playstation Network, or play games offline, or unlock new trophies.  No, my dear friends, I’ve become enraged by the fact that we, as human beings first and foremost, seem to have absolutely zero perspective when it comes to our complaints, or treatment of each other for that matter.  I know, I know, you’re probably sighing to yourself in preparation for the philosophical onslaught that I’m about to unleash on your tired, tired souls.  But hey, when I turn the lights off, I switch to “contemplative” Dylan.  So get ready.

Mere days ago, Chile was hit with a monumental earthquake that registered a whopping 8.8.  Countless more aftershocks measuring anywhere from 4.0 to 6.6 followed suit.  Hundreds, if not thousands are dead, and more are trapped underneath the rubble, fighting for their lives.

On a related note, the recovery effort in Haiti continues to this very day, with its people actively try to rebuild, mourn, and overcome the incredible tragedy that befell them a few months back.  The level of togetherness and friendship that has been the result of this terrible occurrence is truly inspiring, and continues to be so today.

Meanwhile, the Olympic games, a joining of various countries in the spirit of friendly competition, wrapped up just last night.  It featured some truly magnificent and inspiring stories, culminating in a heart stopping hockey match between the United States and Canada.  The closing ceremonies, as is often the case with the Olympics, emphasized uniqueness, pride, and friendship.  An excellent spectacle to observe, and uplifting for those of us living in a world in crisis.

And yet, when I look away from these incredible events that are taking shape around me – these inspiring and uplifting and heart warming and terrifying encounters with togetherness, redemption and struggle – to the industry and group of talented and creative, fun loving and supportive people I love the most in this world, what do I find?  An absolute *** storm of pessimism and cynicism over a minuscule and, in the scheme of things, unimportant, event.  Seriously folks?  The same industry that has for years tried to make a name for itself, that has finally succeeded in being taken seriously and been acknowledged as an important artistic medium by some who five years ago wouldn’t have given it a second look, is all in one fell swoop brought back down to the immature and underdeveloped culture of yesteryear.  We would rather spend our days writing doomsday articles, condemning a piece of hardware that a lot of people worked very, very hard on (and continue to do so for you, around the clock, to eliminate what can barely be called an inconvenience), then take part in encouraging and basking in the wealth of great ideas and developments that our beloved culture is forging ahead with.

In comparison to those other real world events, that have effected hundreds of thousands of very real people, I think the insignificance of this issue speaks for itself.  Why don’t we go ask the orphaned children in Haiti or Chile how much they care about a network error on the PS3?  And before you shout and yell about how people are just having some fun to pass the time, and how the problem here is very real to Playstation owners, let me offer you a simple response:  Doesn’t make it right.  The sort of whining and arguing that I’ve seen has been, across the board, what you’d expect to see from a five year old.  Lost some of your trophies, and your save data to the problem?  I’m sorry to hear that, I truly am, and wish no one had to go through any undue stress over something as small as this, but that doesn’t excuse the overwhwlemingly dense and pigheaded responses to the situation.

Sony doesn’t owe you, despite what you may think.  They offer you a service, and you’ve chosen to invest in that service.  And admit it, the positives outweigh the negatives, right?  So where then do people get off demanding a fix when they want it, as if they have some sort of extreme entitlement to results (results which, by the way, I guarantee Sony is working their asses off to get).  Worse, why must this then be turned into fuel for the console war, on both sides.  “My Xbox never had these problems!”, “Well, this is only one time.  The Xbox RRoD’s all the time!”, “I’ll take this and better exclusives over *insert system here* any day!”.  Please.  People need to open their eyes and realize that we’re all in this together.  We all love games, we all love stories and adventures and quality time with loved ones.  We’re all human, we all bleed, we all feel.  Just like those children in Haiti and Chile bleed and feel.  And when it comes down to it, what we’re going through over here doesn’t really come close to comparing to what goes on out there.  So why even bother fighting about it?  All it serves to do is embarass us as a culture, and as a group of individuals that purely and simply love one thing:  Games.

So, instead of lambasting Sony fans for investing in technology that, like ALL technology, is overcoming some hiccups, lets all wish the situation a speedy remedy, so that they can get back enjoying their games.  Everyone else, do me a favor, and play an extra match of Modern Warfare 2 tonight, and be grateful that you get to play at all.  Hell, be grateful that you’re in a situation that allows you time to play and have fun – something that a lot of people in the world cannot afford right now.  I’d really appreciate it!

Just as a side note, I apologize if I went a little overboard in this.  I was simply writing what came to me, and while I support the content therein completely, I also apologize if I came across as too blunt or heavy handed.  That was not my intention.  I simpy wished to put things in perspective for people.  Cheers!