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.