RA: “Computer Game Addiction.”

In this article, Joe Ahn and George Randal of Clemson University take a look at online gaming addictions to see if this is a real problem. The short article reports several statistics done on 8th and 9th graders showing that those who are addicted seem to get in more fights, argue more with teachers and allude that they do worse in school than non addicted students of the same age. The problem with this is that the researcher gives no indication that bias due to background has been accounted for—ie. their family stability, socioeconomic level, etc. This is one of the major problems in this article. It’s never really said how the research was collected or why it is supposed to be accounted for as true. It’s strange because the paper seems to be only interested in informing an unfamiliar audience (I’m not sure exactly what the target audience is). The paper states in the beginning that the authors will address ways to prevent or stop addiction. However, by the end of the article, the authors have merely stated both sides of the issue and end by saying “Let’s learn to use (online games) responsibly.” Development of every idea would be very helpful in this paper.

FW: Umlat's new found economy

It was a fascinating time for the Umlats as things began to pick up. Denmare started small, giving the younglings tasks to do, such as polishing the golden ware, washing plates after dinner and the sort. This eventually turned into more Umlats youth desiring to work and receiving silver pennies and bronze chipums. The parents, who at first regarded their children’s newfound wealth as a silly thing, soon found that they were brining the most extraordinary things back with them. Gifts of every kind, all bought under the careful scrutiny of Denmare who feared reprisal from the council, yet he could not deny letting the younglings purchase a small fancy here and there. To him it was nothing, common goods bought and sold everyday; but the younglings it was magic! Rich aromas and perfumes for the girls; exotic bunches of fur and fine linen; spices and savory meats; toys and trinkets and even small Yult brought home a tiny dagger. Not that the children were rich in any way, but their token chores brought them enough money to trade for something out of the ordinary. Such a secret was not to be kept as the council found out and severely reprimanded Denmare. Yet the whole village was a flare with wonder and soon the Umlats came asking if they could work for the Denoir. Seeing such a sight with hordes of eager men and women willing to work for next to nothing, and seeing they had been received with such hospitality, the council eventually gave clearance to hire out the Umlats for a fair wage. Denmare’s altruism was eventually forgiven and he was one of the finest Masters, as the Denoir began to call themselves.
The Umlats had never had such a thing as money to trade for goods. Instead, they operated on a tiny barter system with trading at times crops and other wares for the same, though most everything was home produced. Imagine the great joy upon receiving a wage and the fine things this could buy! Immediately the younglings were pushed aside for the older workers, though they could still find a ready story and an odd job or two from Denmare.

Notes to me-Class distinction always? Cheap labor always wins? Abuse of the poor man--social classes, divided by opportunity for learning and for wealth, crime and insentives to rob? Mixing cultures, buidling the Umlat city, organizing into councils in Umlatva, greed and pride to take over, settling of the Denoir as a viable force, inovative Denoir with wisdom and architecture etc. with hard working Umlats.

TA: WATCOs and audiences for the Media paper

What are the consequences of overplaying massively multi-player online role playing games on the social life of gamers?
The target audience are online gamers of MMORPGs. I would have to define overplaying MMORPGs, though with would probably mean just saying it depends on every person. It would be essential to illustrate what the consequences are of playing way too much. I’m sure that a lot of gamers who are addicted realize that they are addicted and so arguing that they should stop if addicted might not do anything as they know they should! Here I could do two different papers, one to casual gamers and those who are thinking about gaming, and those who are already addicted. For the already addicted, a better WATCO might be what are the consequences of continuing to play MMORPGs on the social life of addicted gamers?

What are the consequences of existing gold farms on the profits of World of Warcraft (ie. Blizzard)?
The audience would be the leaders of Blizzard and I would be arguing that secondary markets are a good thing as it helps create jobs and gives people a chance for a living, albeit a poor wage. I could also argue that Blizzard is losing money and should work on creating its own secondary market inside World of Warcraft.