Sunday, March 2, 2014

Candy Crush:The Latest Symbolic Form Craze

My co-worker was at the barbershop playing this candy crush bragging about being on level 42. A man in his 60s that was to the side of him chuckled and said "Young blood please, I'm on level 230." I had no idea this game existed before that conversation. Aside from wondering whatever happened to checkers, I began to notice how popular this game actually is, even my own mother had fallen prey to it. People in class, in computer labs, at work, among other places were like drones in front of this game. I noticed a similar pattern in the people who played it - they were easily distracted, had better things to do, and tuned out everything else for the most part while playing it.

The symbolic form of this game serves as a distraction that doesn't require a lot of thought and allow its players minds to drift undisturbed. Candy crush is like a bright, shiny toy for a child that can be played with as long they want. There's no responsibility or commitment, the game's just there making it easier to pass the time and get through the day. It opens up another world in which the player can be anonymous or invite their Facebook friends. There can be competition or the participant can play just for the sake of playing. The mechanics and choices behind the game are simple and convenient, which for a society with a relatively short attention span is appealing.

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