Shard: The Eleventh

Precursor: We live in an interesting time.

Body: Our technology has developed to a point where anybody can find out at least a basic level of information on virtually any subject. Most of the time people can do this anywhere, at any time. All it takes is typing a few words into your electronic device of choice and you're an instant expert.

The direction this can take us in can unify us as a global entity but usually drives wedges deeper between disparate parties. If we can overcome the petty nature of internet discussions we could probably achieve most anything and maybe even start living on other planets. That's what I'm hoping for, anyway.

But that's not really what's been on my mind about this access to all of human knowledge. What's grabbed my mind is the fact that we have this access and yet I don't like it.

I don't like that when I ask a person about something I usually get the response, "Look it up." And I really don't like that my response to questions (more often than I'd care to admit) is the same. I do try to look it up for myself, if I'm curious about the thing, but that's not the point. The point is that we seem less inclined to discuss things or even answer questions when it's more convenient to just have someone go away and leave us to our Facebook games.

This isn't exclusive to internet searches. I've had people that were supposed to know more about a particular subject answer my questions with "what does the literature say?" Some of them do this because they think that I'll learn the information better if I look it up myself. Or perhaps it'll be more satisfying for me.

No matter their reason I still usually end up staring at the suggested literature or internet search absorbing absolutely nothing. I've always learned better (and there's not many people that I know that don't) from observing another person. From listening to them, watching them perform it, and then doing the thing myself. This loss of human interaction is jarring.

Which brings me to the next part; when I ask a person a question it's usually because I want their answer. I want their take on a thing and if I'm not sure of what they're saying I can ask them to clarify whatever I'm not sure of. And this leads to something wonderful. Something that every person can benefit from: conversation.

Conversation and discussion keep us connected to each other in a way that written word typically doesn't. We get to learn from another person and, if properly engaged, help another person learn, too. I love conversation. I may not always go out of my way to talk to people, but when I get a chance to have a real discussion, a true interchange of ideas, with somebody I ride that hurricane for all it has to offer. I'm also a bit of a smart-aleck, so I enjoy the opportunity to agitate people.

Don't misunderstand me. I love creating. I love drawing, writing, even building things. I have nothing against the written word, but information is something I want from a person or to be able to discuss with a person. And there's some things that an internet search just won't accommodate. For instance, if you've got a wedding or potential birth pending, I don't think that I should read about it on the preferred social media before I hear it from your mouth. Of course, if we don't really ever talk, that's different.

And I think I've gone on rambling long enough. I tend to do that unless somebody stops me. Yet, another good reason to communicate in person.

The End: So, if somebody asks you a question, try giving an actual answer before suggesting they look it up. Also, before I give up your attention I have a little bit of a request.

I'm working on a project and would appreciate some assistance. If you strip away the names of the various religions found throughout history around the world, what kinds of things make each of those religions unique? Some religions require animal sacrifices, other's pray to various deities. I want to know what kinds of things  you can think of that make religions what they are.

And here's a couple of things to think about when you're not thinking about that:

Shard: Seven

Precursor: Why call something one thing if you would rather it were another?

Body: As a warning, this is going to come off as a slight Nerd Rant. As a person that enjoys things like stories and heroes I have a tendency to get a little excited when I hear news of a new movie or game based off of a book or comic that I enjoy. I'm one of the kinds of people that will obsessively follow any news about the new thing. I also try to take it all for what it's worth, it may not be exactly what I want but it should at least be what they say it is. Heck, even a new interpretation of the source can be interesting, so long as the  source material is at the heart of it all.

But that's where I get annoyed. Most people that choose to see a movie based off of a book or comic want to see it because it's what they read in motion, not because the writer wants to take everything in a completely different direction. If you want to make a movie about a wise-cracking good guy that fights a villain, then make that. Trying to make it darker or more depressing doesn't improve on the source, especially if the source (in that scenario a comic book) is full of dudes (and dudettes) brightly colored clothing. Make the characters pop off of the screen at the audience. That's all we ask.

And if  you're going to make a game, well, the same is true. Except now people want to pay you for your work because they want the experience of being the hero of the story. It doesn't have to be a direct copy of a particular story (unless the book is a stand alone story), but trying to alter how the characters behave doesn't work.

Once again, I tend to enjoy these movies and games. I will play just about any licensed game that's based off of a story or book that I enjoy. And yes, those have a tendency to be less than great, but I know that going in. Make it fun if you aren't going to make it high quality and don't take control from my hands when something awesome is going to happen. I don't care how the movie did it, I want to make that scene happen with my hands, not some animator's.

If you, as a script writer or game designer want to make a hero that, instead of being a goody-two-shoes, is pragmatic and angry then write that script, but don't hide it underneath the mask of the source material. Very few people are talented enough to make that work and if you are reading my words then you are likely not one of them. Just remember that the fans get angry and write blogs. It's the modern version of torches and pitchforks.

As an addendum, this also applies to movies based off of games. The only good one of those that I've ever seen was Clue.

Of course this is all trivial and does not affect the Greater Good, but it was on my mind and you're reading it. If you want to read something else go right ahead, the Internet is a pretty big place.

The End: In conclusion, I am in lustful love of like stories of all sorts. I prefer knowing the source material, but like new ideas. Please don't pollute something a lot of people love with your filth. And maybe next time I'll include tasty kittens, but for now you get this:

And this: