How Do Non-Pokemon GO Players Avoid the Mania?
I was recently hustling down a street with my phone securely in my outstretched arm, leading the way. No, I was not playing Pokemon GO. I was following Google Maps directions.
The funny thing is, I could feel people looking at me as I passed by, with bemused facial expressions as if to say, "look at the 6'5 adult running around and chasing Pokemon". Upon realizing this, (or at least thinking it), I immediately put away my phone, with barely enough confidence to walk at least 1 minute without Google Maps dictating the way.
I couldn't help but chuckle after the fact, realizing that I was afraid of being labeled a Pokemon GO player, despite the fact that it is now the most popular mobile game in history (recently passing Candy Crush).
Navigating a Gamified World
Personally I am not compelled to play the game. But I'm not here to convince you not to, assuming you enjoy it (and I don't blame you, as some of these Pokemon characters are indeed adorable). But in a world in which gamification seems to touch every facet of our lives nowadays, or AR/VR for that matter, I will explain to you how I successfully navigate my life while avoiding the most popular game in history.
Don't Download It
Sounds simple enough, right? There were a few moments of weakness when I considered downloading the game, as Pokemon fever reach record highs. But when I saw a passerby race into traffic with his hands extended in a (successful) effort to stop cars so that he could nab what seemed to be a rare Pokemon, I thought the better of it. Even though I don't think I'll ever reach that nadir, the safest option is to simply rule out downloading the game.
Download a Brain Teaser
At the behest of a friend, I recently downloaded a popular and addictive brain teaser called "Brain It On". The fact that much of my time has been preoccupied with this game has reduced the level of FOMO that I would have normally had for Pokemon GO. With everyone running around and playing one particular game, I too have my own game to waste time with. And though it doesn't offer the same physical benefits of Pokemon GO (more on that in a moment), what it lacks for in physicality is hopefully made up for with its brain boost.
Appreciate the Outdoors
One of the biggest "proofs" that Pokemon GO addicts offer as to why it is both okay and beneficial for them to hunt for rare Pikachu's in the outside world is the physical exercise that it offers. To be fair, I'm not certain that wandering around in circles for 20 minutes constitutes physical exercise, but it is indeed better than sitting on a couch.
In a weird way, this has compelled me to re-focus and re-appreciate the outdoors, by walking to work and playing sports 2-3 times a week. For any Pokemon Go player that tells me about his or her outdoor time gain in recent weeks, I can tell them that I too am outdoors plenty.
Headphones for the Outdoors
If you really want to escape Pokemon GO mania, then go ahead and tune it out. It sounds standoffish, but in certain outdoor situations, headphones allow one to drown out the surrounding Pokemon GO noise.
Imagine the following scenario which I recently experienced: You are lying down in the grass at a nearby park, relaxing, reading Engadget articles on your tablet, when all of a sudden you hear excited shouting. As you look over, you see a gaggle of teenagers and young adults scurrying around feverishly with their phones waving in the air. This is the opposite of peaceful, and a ripe scenario to calmly put your headphones in, and fire up your favorite podcast or radio station.
Appreciating the Mania
In my opinion, Pokemon GO reached a level of mania not seen since the days of Furby. Sure, there is a natural dichotomy of those who embrace it versus those who want to escape it. But even for those of us who intend to avoid it, we can appreciate the incredible cultural aspects that it brings forth.
Through some magical combination of augmented reality, video game icons which touch on many childhoods, coupled with smart phone technology that allows anyone to play the game anywhere and at any time, Pokemon GO has captured the hearts and minds of many. And though I plan to continue to "escape" this current craze, I can certainly appreciate it from afar.
