So what is this pokemon thing all about? By W. H. Nulf Seems like a simple question, seems obvious, seems like only a disconnected social reject would ask the question in the first place. Okay, I'll admit to being a little disconnected. I'm spending my time watching the girl friend's kids, and I find out about Pokemon. I watch the two brothers play (and argue about) the pokemon game and I see the daughter ask for a cuddly stuffed pikachu to keep her company. The mom takes the kids to the "First Pokemon Movie". As part of my role of being involved in the family life I even watched the pokemon television show a few times. Have you ever had the feeling that something is dreadfully wrong but you can't seem to tell what it is? For a while I couldn't describe what I found so disturbing about pokemon. Mind you the artwork of japanimation makes James Thurber look absolutely gifted. The expense incurred buying all the paper cards and plastic toys seems wasteful. On the net I even read some right-wing religious nonsense about pokemon having satanic overtones. At least I know what bothers me about religious fanatics. It took me a while, but eventually I was able figure out what my problems with pokemon are. Let's consider what values are being taught by the pokemon experience. One of the major themes of the pokemon stories, indeed the central theme, is collecting pokemons, training them and having them fight other pokemons while the trainer "coaches" (I use the term loosely) them. Vast tournaments are held where an arena full of spectators cheer as the pokemons do battle. Of course it is all fantasy. What are the similarities with reality? (Don't be too surprised - we disconnected people have to ask these kinds of questions.) Cock fighting is outlawed. The idea of watching a couple of roosters fight, was considered so disturbing in our society as to be made illegal. I imagine the first thing I dislike about pokemon is the idea of sadistic violence for the sole purpose of entertainment. Most of us find the concept of a Roman circus (lions versus Christians) revolting. So the next time I see a parent buying a pack of pokemon cards. I'll wonder how he/she would feel about taking little Johnny down to enjoy the cock fights in Tijuana. The other side of the coin is even more disagreeable. What are the differences with reality. The pokemons fight in the tournaments, but they never get hurt, or die, or even bleed as far as I can tell. Usually one pokemon becomes overwhelmed or physically exhausted and thus can not battle on. If we are teaching that violence is entertaining and in some respects positive, why are we not teaching that it is also painful and destructive? Same old story -- no one seems to worry about how the rooster feels about cock fighting - or the pikachu after being beaten senseless by bellsprout. Some people can identify with how the Christians felt at the Roman Circus. I guess that is why I get so disconnected. To sum up -- my thoughts about the pokemon craze are that it is not a good thing, it is in fact about bad things. It advocates brutality as a form of entertainment. It teaches that the consequences of violence are minimal. It proposes that one group of people (trainers) have the right to dominate the lives of lesser (but yet sentient) beings for selfish and destructive sport. If I were a truly connected and socially responsible person I would call it evil.