Pokemon and Quaaludes

[j44ke]

Yesterday, my wife and I were talking about the Pokemon thing going on in NYC (and everywhere) from the standpoint of "How many Pokemon players ran into you today?" Then we saw the latest from Casey Niestat while vegging after dinner.



Not his best, but in the video, a woman says she thinks it is great because playing the game is calming people down at a time when everything is pretty tense. And my wife and I looked at each other and said "Quaaludes!" After Kent State happened, university and college campuses were flooded with cheap quaaludes. Back then, everyone was so high, they couldn't really think about it too deeply. But now, I guess there is enough evidence to suggest that the US government, possibly actively or possibly through purposeful lack of enforcement, made quaaludes part of their strategy to calm things down.

Then this morning, my wife sent me this piece from McSweeney.

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/...-re-pokemon-go

Hilarious. But only because it might be true. Which is the secret to hilarity generally.

[hampco]

Quite a few folks also seem to find the painter Bob Ross calming.

Let's see what McSweeneys has to say about that

[Too Tall]

I miss Quaaludes. Thanks alot.

PS - The entire thing horrifies me.

[Matthew Strongin]

PS - The entire thing horrifies me.

Understatement. I can't remember the last time I felt so out of touch.

[SlowPokePete]

Waste of time.

And beyond.

SPP

[bironi]

I nearly ran into some guy in the middle of a bike corridor as I was climbing out of town two days ago. He was staring at his phone and two buddies were on the sidewalk doing the same. I saw the same thing all around town. It was a bad day for an urban ride sans helmet.

[NYCfixie]

Understatement. I can't remember the last time I felt so out of touch.

What's Pokeman?

[Clyde]

I totaled 3 or 4 cars on ludes, or gorilla biscuits as we used to call them.

[teleguy57]

WI Dept of Transportation LED sign over the interstate today read: "Drive Now. Catch Pikachus Later."

Sad state of things from my POV.

[Shoogs]

2 sides of the coin.
-Was in Port Jeff last night and me and five others were the only ones not playing ... Never seen it that busy on Wednesday night.
-Cyclist friend of mine says her kids have been outside that long in years.

USA today had an article about how to Pokémon while black, sad that story has to be told.

At least people are outside...safe, that is another story

[David Tollefson]

While I walked my daughter home from daycare, with a side-trip to the school playground, I watched a kid weave all over the road on his BMX bike staring at his phone. "I know it's close!"

[j44ke]

One thing that is kind of cool - there are a lot of women playing. I don't remember seeing this many women playing a video game before. They are usually 100% smarter than that. So the Fu of this game must be very strong. Stronger than women! Amazing. Never thought I'd live to see the day.

[Too Tall]

In before the lock.

[BShow]

I downloaded it last night. Hey, my kid does it...

[Nierman]

We're knee deep into Heartland July and I've never seen so many pasty, pale people out about. Finally getting some vitamin D. Enjoy the show - my kids are having fun with it. I was addicted to Pick Axe Pete at their age.

[vertical_doug]

If I owned a small bakery or convenience store, I'd go online , buy some lures, and see if I can cheaply increase traffic.

[EightySixer]

In 1997 when i was a Freshman in highschool i used to smoke pot everyday after school and then watch the Pokemon cartoon.

I saw this new Pokephenomenon and thought, Christ. I'm glad I stopped smoking pot.

[sk_tle]

I guess it makes less young girls being sexually harassed and bullied on periscope.

[mnoble485]

I miss Quaaludes. Thanks alot.

PS - The entire thing horrifies me.

Shit, don't get me started on those things. So good, so so bad. Ask me how I know.

Mike

[deano]

Rereading Infinite Jest this summer, so the drugs/entertainment connection is looming large in my mind, but Jorn's theory Quaaludes:Kent State::Pokemon:the craptsunami of our time is down right creeping me out.