Thursday, July 08, 2004
Playing games with gam--ing
Listening to NPR this morning while brushing my teeth: a local story involving the "gaming industry." Where did they ever lose those two little letters? Is there something about gam--ing that makes gam--ing marketers squeamish? Should that tell us something?
Somebody called the house the other night. My wife was asked if she would support a ballot initiative or something to permit a casino in southern Missouri. She was frank. She said no. The caller asked her why. "Gambling destroys lives," she replied. The person stuttered a bit then said a stunned good-night. I just love my wife; she doesn't play games.
When I play cards on Wednesday night, that's gaming. I play bridge for the enjoyment and competition. If my friends decided to have a poker night, that would be gaming. Friendship, enjoyment, competition, and after that, a few dimes and nickels changing hands. When the pros set up their blackjack table and slots, let's call a spade a spade. It's gambling, not gaming. The "gaming industry" manufactures Monopoly, Scrabble, Twister, and even a few billion decks of cards. The gambling industry provides an outlet for people to gamble their money.
When Kenny Rogers renames his movies, when sports announcers fall into line ("Coach is a real gamer going for it on fourth down"), I'll consider the lame attempts of the gambling industry to recast their business in a better light. Meanwhile, they've tarnished enough of society; I wish they'd leave the real gamers alone.
