247: The Infected

Ekonk

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Apr 21, 2009
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I'm sorry for your loss. Such incredibly though luck that they both had cancer, and that it was to be found out in such a way. It must have been devastating.


Also, someone link this to Jack Thompson and Micheal Atkinson.
 

chemistry35

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Jan 8, 2010
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Wow. This has to be the most touching article I've read on this website. I'm sorry for your loss.
 

TheColdHeart

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Sep 15, 2008
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That was more thought provoking, touching and powerful than I was expecting. A wonderful article it opened my eyes to an extent as I've never dealt with anything like this in my life. I'm sorry for your loss.
 

the idiot computer

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Jan 21, 2010
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My condonlences on ypur losses, so it must be hard for you have to written this high quality article. My thoughts is that i agree with you games are good to relieve your anger, Hope you are well.
 

richtaur

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Aug 11, 2009
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What a welcome change of pace and quality for The Escapist. Cheers to you, John. Thanks for sharing.
 

RoyalWelsh

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Feb 14, 2010
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So sorry for your loss John. A very emotional article, I actually welled up and I don't do that often.

Video games help with letting my anger out in a safe way.
 

Brian Name

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Feb 1, 2008
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So sorry to read about what happened to your folks John. I agree with everyone else though, this is a really moving article. I hope that writing it, like L4D, made you feel a bit better about everything.
 

SonicWaffle

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Oct 14, 2009
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Sorry to hear about it, buddy. I've still got both parents, luckily, so I can't imagine how much it sucked for you.

On a different note, this seems like at least the second story I've read here lately about gaming to get through a tough time - some guy wrote about his divorce a few issues back and how Modern Warfare got him through it. If we could do something to get these stories reported outside the gaming community, it might do a lot to lesson our image as bloodthirsty maniacs who play "murder simulators" because of an innate desire to hurt others.

On another different note, your L4D nickname is amazing. Hail Jesse! :-D
 

RebelRising

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Jan 5, 2008
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I've lost my Grandmother to something very similar, so I feel you, man. I was very close to her.

A very strong argument for games as therapy, and you touched on some of the appeal of horror as well.
 

Katana314

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Oct 4, 2007
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Writing about personal loss for sympathy is kinda shoddy journalism...which is why I'm glad that's not what this is at all. =)

There was this whole talk at TED about how games can save the world; how this entire civilization before the Greeks managed to survive through this ludicrous famine by distracting themselves with a dice game made from small bones. How even today, we play games to show we can solve problems no matter how big. Sure, I think we can all agree it's escapism in a way, but if people feel better about it, who's to argue?

And yeah, it seems obvious you've been through a lot more than most of us have. I know I'd be really reluctant to write about something so personal.
 

MrPatience

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Mar 25, 2009
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That was an incredible article. Having never experienced any real loss myself, this was an eye-opening insight in to the mind of someone who has. Thank you, Mr Carr.

Also, fantastic gamertag, I am reading 'PREACHER' at this very instant.
 

LackeyPA

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Nov 23, 2009
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Great article, John. I had only brief glimpses of cancer in my family. Thankfully, they were treatable for my father and mother. It's great that you had your wife and friends there to help.
 

insectoid

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Aug 19, 2008
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That was a great article, I don't think there is a much stronger case for 'games as therapy'. I admire your courage in writing about something so incredibly personal.
 

sailor_960

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Jan 12, 2010
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I'm sorry for your loss, I know how it feels to lose a loved one to a fatal disease (in my case, my grandfather died of heart disease). As for the gaming as a method of coping, I feel that its a great statement of to each his own. My coping mechanism for example is reading childhood favorite books or writing movie reviews for my school newspaper (though I have never had to cope with such things as you).
 

Sam_Winchester

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Sep 24, 2009
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Really, thank you for writing such a piece on the escapist, Mr Carr. I know that, if I were ever in a situation like that with just one of my parents, I would have had no way of dealing with it. You have some truly remarkable strength, and everyone on the Escapist gives their condolences.

Also, someone should have a word with Michael Atkinson.