My name is Blake . . . I know you probably get thousands of e-mails a day, and I was never sure if mine would stand out but . . . after all these years of visiting your site . . . I just want to thank you. I want to thank you for helping to bring me to a deeper understanding of not only video games, but of the universe itself. I want to thank you for all of your bold and progressive essays. Without them I would feel alone. I’d feel like I was the only one who pondered the unfathomable clockwork (or chaos) of the universe. I’d feel like I was the only one who enjoyed video games in the ways that I do, but—thanks to you—I know that there are many people who enjoy them in the same way.
I know you are a very deep person . . . you have a truly great mind, and I can’t say that I can read it . . . but you must be wondering what kind of person has sent you this e-mail . . . is he a boy? Is she a girl? Does this person look up at the stars and wonder if there might be other people on the planets that circle them gazing right back? How old is this person? Many people have questions about you too. That is another great thing about you . . . you’ve maintained the ability to remain shrouded in mystery for all of these years. Kind of like a super-hero . . . you are a super-hero, but instead of laser-eyes or utility belts you use words.
You are a phenomenal writer—I know you probably hear that a lot, but it’s true. Your essays and stories are probably the most inspirational pieces I have had the honor to read.
Sometimes I get this feeling that one of your reasons for being on this earth is to inspire young people, and unite them. Maybe even help them understand themselves a little more. I remember this one letter that was sent to you a few years ago by a girl named Laurie. It was in your letter of the month column, January of 1999. You had moved her too, and she was expressing herself . . . just letting her heart poor out to you. I have come to a realization that a lot of your fans have more than just a love for video games in common. Some of us have prophetic dreams. Now I know you’ve probably heard it all, and I’ve said that at the risk of sounding like I want attention or want to look cool, but I do have dreams that come true. They kind of guide me. So does my little sister. She thinks that it is a gift that everybody has . . . some just don’t know how to use it. I know it’s been like almost five years, but I want Laurie to know (if in any way possible that she might read this or hear from you) that she is not alone (she probably knows that), and that I want to thank her too. She’s kind of given me the courage to just try and contact you. She’s given me the courage to tell you how you have affected me.
Over the past five months, I have been going through a lot of problems with my mind. Parts of my mind started to go out of control, and it became too much for me. My mind would argue with itself on what I believed in and try to convince me that my ideas were crazy, and I was a fool. Those were the least hurtful things that part of my mind would say. I had suspected that I had a chemical imbalance that was causing depression, but it seemed to progress into something more serious. I stopped doing all the things that I loved. I stopped writing, drawing, going on hikes—none of it made me happy . . . I couldn’t create. That part of my mind would tell me that I was useless and that I should end my life. He always waited till I was at my most vulnerable moments to suggest these things, but one thing that helped me forget about him was video games. Especially Morrowind. It was hard to bring me down when I could be whoever I wanted in that rich world. I’m happy to say that I take special medicine now to take care of those rogue parts of my mind. I feel like I did when I was younger, and I love to write again . . . and I’d like to thank you for how your insights have helped me through that difficult time.
It’s pretty late, and I should turn in . . . thanks again, Video Gamer X. I hope that your as happy with what you put into your sites as we are with what we get out of them!
Sincerely yours,
Blake!
I just received this today, as I was checking my email.
Re: Who would have thought, eh?
Now, why would I do a thing like that? You guys would cause this guy to commit suicide. That would be like taking an alcoholic on the wagon to an all you can drink kegger. I'll personally email him and thank him for the praise and high regards. as well as invite him to inspire others in some way by writing out his own thoughts and perhaps submitting them to Unlimted Fantasy, Millennium Crossroads of the Mind's Eye, or Video Gamer X: Let the Games Begin.
Re: Who would have thought, eh?
I'm manic depressive, and mildly psychotic. No kidding, and if it wasn't for drugs like mary j and aderhol, I'd probably kill myself.
Man finds his meaning in God, but if there is no God, man has no meaning. So it then becomes easier to believe in 'God' rather than the truth.
You bet, this place is nuts, the stuff you talk about or do here is strange, but hey that's why I fit in here, cause as normal as you think you are as an individual, there are tons of other people that will think you have issues. That's what I like about this place, its an asylum for you nuts, and I just love stewing the brew from time to time to see the reactions that result, it's quite interesting, but sometimes not. Most of the time I have too much to do in the real world to spend the kind of endless time that some of you spend posting here or surfing the net and AIMing all day. I believe that internet addiction is in itself a form of psychosis. I'm not saying everyone here is addicted but, I imagine some are, maybe they won't admit to it, but I imagine some are. The internet is kind of theraputic in some ways, but like drugs it becomes addictive for some.
Re: Who would have thought, eh?
I love it when people pull that pseudo-intellectual, "I'm emotionally invincible" shit. I've heard it before; these people think they're so good at manipulating people, and so they gain their pleasure from reading and noting the reactions of certain people to certain stimuli. Of course, it's bullshit - these people know nothing, despite what they think they know. They're usually just a sad online fuick with no social skills, and no idea that people think they're stupid.
*ahem* Not that I'm, um, accusing anyone, or anything.
Edited by: Efreit at: 1/4/04 3:19 am
...
Yeah, I know why the kid would commit suicide after coming here.
QUOTE #1: You are a phenomenal writer—I know you probably hear that a lot, but it’s true. Your essays and stories are probably the most inspirational pieces I have had the honor to read.
QUOTE #2: OMG, that $hit exploded three times like a freaking 1000 lb bomb, and the explosion was so bright we couldn't see anything for like 2 minutes.
...
Welcome to the poorly articulated philosophy known as relativism! After all, if we're part of an insane asylum and everyone inside is "normal," then who'd be considered insane in the asylum? The normal person naturally! But wait a minute, is the normal person here the one locked up for insanity, or the worker who treats these people? This position is used solely to create confusion, because the one thing it can do successfully is state there are different views. So how do you find which view is "right" or "wrong," or if there are even right or wrong views?
Simple. Use specific, well-articulated standards for objective measures in defining what constitutes whatever concept you're trying to define. For creating a worldview, starting with either a Descartes perspective or moving to mathematical laws ultimately defeats the chaos-seeking relativist.
Re: ...
Whoah, Veeg, you can't call my fans crazy and get away with it. We gather here for unhinged conversation and we connect and help each other out.
Here's my favorite fan letters from board members I've helped.
"Dear JJtH,
Thank you for showing me that there is an over the counter remedy for depression. I've been drinking for three weeks now and feel great! You're the best.
- Dallas"
"Dear Matt,
Thanks to your posts I have little to no respect for women anymore. Here's naked pictures of my sister. That slut.
-RocketLex"
"Dear Matt,
After talking to you over the net for six months I was comfortable with meeting to lose my virginity to you. It was great! But why won't you talk to me anymore?
-ZoraGirl"
See, we're not an asylum. We're truly a community that helps each other.
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