To WoW or not to WoW.

It’s been a long time between drinks here and I was beginning to think I’d have to spend my weekend trawling my brain/the internet looking for pertinent things to post about, but reading this article at lunch time today on The Age solved that problem.

I don’t really have strong feelings about WoW either way. I can see the attraction, and I know how easily things like that become obsessions, but I don’t really feel like I’m missing out because I’m not part of that world. The important things about it (i.e. cultural references a la Star Wars) will filter down to me eventually, and if other people want to while away their days (and/or nights) playing this game, I don’t see how it’s any worse than a whole range of other leisure activities.

Toohey makes some interesting points about his particular psyche and the reasons he has avoided WoW. I particularly liked his illicit drug-taking analogy:

But then I think of what the game would cost me. I think of how easily it could suck my life away. Hence my suspicion that my choice will turn out to be the proper choice, much like my ignorance about what it feels like to snort cocaine.

But the best thing about this article, at least for me, was the introduction of the Toyota WoW ad! It’s a slightly dodgy version, recorded by a handicam off someone’s TV, but you get the gist:

If conventions, machinima and South Park weren’t enough to herald the dawn of mainstream geek culture, then the cash Toyota put up to screen this during the Super Bowl sure is.

Welcome, geeks. It’s nice to have you back.