Fear of Reality

So I tried to find the correct term for the fear of reality, but apparently there is none--or at least not a published word. I find this very surprising since it seems like quite an epidemic since online video games became popular. Maybe it's because I grew up playing outside without any video games that I don't understand how people can find them so much fun. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy some Mario Kart here and there but I can not imagine dedicating 6-8 hours a day at the computer in fantasy land.

In the video Second Skin part 1,  Anthony, a gaming enthusiast and expert, said "when you jump into World of Warcraft it completely takes your head away from everything." I feel people create online characters that live in made-up worlds, to try to escape from everyday trials and tribulations. Life is rough, no doubt. And everyone needs something to ease the mind and relax, which can be anything--sports, cooking, yoga, spelunking, chess, or online gaming. But as seen in the video Second Skin, some gamers have taken it to a new level. People spend over 7 hours a day playing online video games, and we can probably add a few hours for time spent gamers think about their online world. Our generation is in for a rude awakening when they realize they can't just slay any dragons that come our way. Why waste one life creating a virtual one?

It's sad to say that people are afraid of reality. It's pretty much saying that people are afraid to live. Media has created this ideal 'way of life' that makes individuals feel if they can't fit that ideal mold, then they are outcasts--failures. Why attempt to gel into an impossible mold when online games allow us to create our own? In the book 'Culture Jam' it says "the commercial media are to the mental environment what factories are to the physical environment. Commercials, TV shows, radio stations, music and all types of media are polluting our society and is forcing us into identical cookies. Sorry but I like it when all the cookies are different.

Introduction

Hello everyone! My name is Natalie Larson, born on June 24th 1991 and raised in Annapolis, MD. I am a 19 year old sophomore majoring in GeoEnvironmental studies. Whatever career I end up having in the future I hope it is challenging, hands on, adventurous and enjoying. I love being outside whether it's hiking, cooking out, camping, or even just taking a nap. During the summer I am usually out on the Chesapeake Bay boating, slalom waterskiing, wakeboarding, swimming, and anything else you could think to do the water. In the winter, I love to go snow skiing with my family and friends. Like every Annapolis native, I am addicted to blue crabs and Old Bay. I also played soccer for about 15 years on club teams, travel teams, and the varsity team for my high school. I wish there was a girls club soccer team so I could continue playing here but there are no signs of one unfortunately.

The last book and probably my favorite book I have read was Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. To be honest, I signed up for Intro to Literature because I really just need the credits for general education requirements. I do enjoy reading meaningful and thought-provoking books and from what I hear the books assigned in this class are just that so I am looking forward to starting the class. 

Probably the pop culture I am most interested in and enjoy is music. I love listening to all types of music, from country to alternative and oldies. A few of my favorite artists are Jack Johnson, Coldplay, Colin Hay, Montgomery Gentry, Brad Paisley, Kid Cudi, Tom Petty, CCR and I could go on forever. When there's not much to do I do watch TV--channels like Discovery, Food Network, NatGeo, and Mtv. Also I really enjoy photos, whether I am taking them or others have. Maybe I just enjoy looking at photos from different places and things around the world in hopes to travel and experience all the landscapes and cultures out there, but that is perfectly ok with me haha.

I believe literature is any form of written expression. It is when letters form words to convey messages and emotions to those who read them.  In my opinion there are many forms of literature such as novels, poetry, short stories, and music. A blog in this case, is also a form of literature--we are all conveying messages and opinions through posting blogs online.