Breaking the Game

Not only does this guy invoke one of the most obscure Nintendo games of all time — which myself and my roommates from college also happened to play constantly (and is pictured here) — he makes a good point about the deplorable state of political campaigns. It's a two for one!

It's a long article (though it's very entertaining), and if you've never played Bad News Baseball, it probably won't mean too much to you. But the point is that you can get so good at a lot of Nintendo games it's just not fun anymore. The writer ties this in (very surprisingly) well with his political idea, one with which I also happen to agree completely. To quote him:

"Today, we see that politics are a broken game -- with the debates and the conventions as the prime displays of this fact. As voters, we would much prefer an exchange of ideas, in which candidates argued points of fact and principles. As a democracy, we would be well served by sincere, engaging debates. But the candidates are not out there to stimulate our intellect or to serve well the Democracy -- they are out there to win."

I've long said (read: for about 3 years) that politics are a game that I don't want to play. The Presidential Elections are fun because they're hyped like the Super Bowl, and ultimately, I have about the same amount to do with the outcome. But that's about all the value they have to me right now.

A tip of the hat to Matt, for the tip. Nintendo competition is never the same without your sanity hanging in the balance on every play.