Everybody has a favorite part when it comes to the phenomenon known as Pocket Monsters (or Pokémon for short). For some, it’s battles and the strategies, while for others, it’s the Pokémon evolving into different and stronger forms, which is usually because of hitting a certain level, using an Elemental Stone, friendship and time of day, among other factors. Me? I like all the aspects of the Pokémon phenomena.
So with that, here’s my reasons for why I like Pokémon:
1) Cooperation
The game of Pokémon is quite complex, so talking with other fellow Pokémon fans, especially when comparing battle strategies, is a good idea when it comes to figuring out the game — and Pokémon is a good thing in that way, since it happens to be something that gets kids talking with each other. :)
2) Strategizing
Pokémon is a good thing for another reason: it teaches how to think strategically. Unlike some popular toys with little or no educational value, Pokémon is different in that it requires chess-like concentration and the ability to think ahead in sophisticated ways.
3) Lessons about Life
There are so many amazing examples of how this game teaches about life — and not just by quotes, either.
For example, in the games, there is a Pokémon called “Magikarp”, which is considered the most useless and weak Pokémon in the game. But after struggling, hard work and determination, the Magikarp is able to evolve into an extremely powerful Pokémon known as “Gyarados”. The Pokémon was one of the most powerful in the Generation 1 games, defeating nearly everything in its path.
And that shows a good lesson there: if you don’t struggle, you don’t improve.
4) Reaching Goals
In Pokémon, the Trainers and their Pokémon learn that never giving up eventually pays off in the end. For the Pokémon, it’s learning to succeed, and that’s usually by practicing with their moves and doing well with them — basically sharpening old techniques and learning new ones. For the Trainers, it’s completing the Pokédex and battling other Trainers (sometimes in rematches). Like the old saying goes, “Practice makes perfect”, which is very true, along with “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”. In other words, the more you practice at something (especially if it’s a talent you have, or something you simply love to do), the better you get at it.
5) The Importance of Rules
In order to be a Pokémon master, the player has to teach his or her Pokémon to follow the rules. It’s a basic rehearsal for life; if one follows the rules, they get rewarded (although there are exceptions, such as changing the writing rules when writing fanfiction, but that’s another story).
“The age-old theme of the journey is played out here, and one faces good vs. evil in the quest for the holy grail, i.e. becoming the greatest Pokémon master. This mirrors development — cognitive, social and psychological, across the life span. We all have monsters to keep at bay and mysteries or problems to solve throughout our lives.
“Pokémon provides a stimulus for learning and practicing life skills and other learning skills that will be useful later. Children are drawn to this challenge because of their very nature, needing to deal with their fears and vulnerabilities.”
Stephanie’s classmate Jamie, who plays guitar with some friends in a band called Human Pudding, asks Steph to go on a date with him to The Smash Club, and Stephanie excitedly agrees. Stephanie’s rival, Gia Mahan, is not exactly as excited about it as Stephanie is. It turns out that Gia likes Jamie too, and she is not about to let Stephanie have him that easily.
Gia comes over to the house and warns Stephanie to break the date, or she will make her life miserable. However, Steph stands her ground, and refuses to break the date. Little does Stephanie know how dirty Gia is willing to play to get him.
On the next day, in order to make Jamie cancel his date with Stephanie, Gia spreads a false rumor at school that Stephanie wouldn’t get any dates unless she paid guys to date her, and even put a sign with the words “Date Stephanie, earn big bucks” on Stephanie’s locker.
Jamie, who has been getting ragged on because of the rumor, asks Stephanie who started it, and she says, “Gia. She said if we didn’t call off our date, she’d make my life miserable.” Jamie thinks that maybe it is a good idea to break the date, because he does not want to get ragged on anymore. Stephanie is hurt by that.
The next day, with the help of her friend Mickey, Stephanie gets even with Gia by hanging up a blow-up of Gia’s failing report card in the hallway. Jamie apologizes to Stephanie for the events of the previous day, and tells her that he is not about to let Gia run his life. Jamie says that if it is okay with Stephanie, the date can be back on, and she likes that. Stephanie shows him what she did to Gia, and Jamie says that she had it coming. Gia comes in and sees what happened, and, after angrily yanking the blow-up off the wall, goes straight to her locker. Stephanie walks up to Gia, who has her face buried in her locker, and says, “So, Gia, I guess we’re even”. Gia turns around, and Stephanie sees the tears on her face.
Stephanie then feels guilty. At The Smash Club that night, after a talk with Jesse about the situation, Stephanie sees Gia. Stephanie and Gia talk, and they finally become friends (while also learning that seeking revenge isn’t very sweet at all). Gia then tells Stephanie that she can have Jamie, as Gia now has eyes for the drummer of Human Pudding.
Meanwhile, Danny is having problems adjusting to life without Vicky, and it is pretty much affecting the whole household.
What did the duck say after she went shopping?
...
Put it on my bill!
Very awesome and witty joke right there. I like it a lot, too. :) And I also learn a lot from things like this as well.
Rest in peace, Pauline Phillips (July 4, 1918 — January 16, 2013).
She wrote the Dear Abby advice column, where her advice was sometimes sassy or snappy. Her pseudonym, “Abigail Van Buren”, was very unique, and I remember reading some of her columns while wearing a grin on my face. Sadly, Pauline died on Wednesday, January 16, 2013, at the age of 94. From my perspective, her battle with Alzheimer’s disease was one that she fought bravely until the end, and she lived a great life while using the talents God had given her.
Thankfully, she is survived by her daughter, Jeanne Phillips, who said, “My mother leaves very big high heels to fill with a legacy of compassion, commitment and positive social change. I will honor her memory every day.” Jeanne took over the column in 2002, after her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
I will miss her as well. She famously dispensed intimate guidance to readers around the globe on everything from cheating spouses to intrusive in-laws. She also was an equal champion for the rights of women, minorities and people who were mentally ill or had physical disabilities.
