I left work and went to Lowe’s to pick up a few things for the home renovation project. As I’m walking and conversing with Aaron, with whom I was speaking at the time, I see pickaxes out of the side of my eye. I think in the back of my mind, “Oh, I need that to mine ore,” walk over and start to pick one up! As if I’m going to run across a Malachite or Ebony ore veins in Kansas City as I’m out laying waste to my enemies with the sheer power of my destruction magic! I’m only 163 hours into the game, but apparently it has left an notable mark on my subconscious.
As far as what Dr. Robert Cialdini would call “click-whirl” responses, this one was awesome because I became aware of it as it was happening. My mind was preoccupied with maintaining my train of thought in the conversation, defaulting to a backup behavioral loop to which it had become accustomed; in this case, take detour to pickup pickaxes whenever spotted.
They did have some beautiful flowers, though, for the balcony. I’m not going to get anything until after the frost risk has decreased, but they give me a good idea of what I want in the space once the furniture, flooring, and water fountains arrive.
Orchids for Balcony
Flowering Cactus Plants
Kramer's Rote Heather Flowers
Tropical Flowers
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Reader Comments
(7)
Comments are presented chronologically, with replies indented beneath
the comments to which they respond.
G
Guest
March 9, 2012
Priceless!
G
Gilvus
March 9, 2012
Have you been conditioned to shout loudly every time you see a large scaly reptile? Ivan Pavlov would've loved to have you as a test subject...
J
Joshua Kennon
March 9, 2012
Replying to Gilvus
I think Pavlov would have been fascinated with how we are conditioned by media in general. I've been reading lately about how emotional connections to television characters creates surrogate intimacy, resulting in behavioral changes in the people who empathize with their favorite show.
I think video games would have to have a much more powerful influence because you spend so much more time immersed in them than a television show. Take Skyrim compared to the television show "Friends". The latter ran for a decade, or 236 shows at let's say 23 minutes each. If you watched every single episode, you would have to clock 54 or 55 hours. I'm now at more than 3x that level with Elder Scrolls Skyrim, which is the same as watching 30 years worth of Friends episodes.
Oh, and one more thing: When dragons show up, I'm not the one screaming. They are.
G
Gilvus
March 9, 2012
Replying to Joshua Kennon
I'm not sure if a surrogate relationship with a fictional character is the same as an immersive video game. People have shared compelling stories and legends since antiquity, but only recently have we been able to lose ourselves in realistic fictional worlds like WoW or Tamriel. I'm sure there's some overlap though.
Oh, I was just imagining you screaming FUS RO DAH at the iguanas at a pet store. Just a hilarious mental image.
J
Joseph Woodhull
March 13, 2012
I went to Ikea this weekend and every single dresser or night-stand I looked at I wanted to open and take alllll the gold!!! And maybe a potion or two.
J
Joshua Kennon
May 11, 2012
Replying to Joseph Woodhull
I hear ya!
B
Brent McAlee
January 20, 2014
I love Lowes! I buy giftcards online at a discount of 6%-10% with my 2% rewards credit card and stack it with my 10% military discount. I've saved thousands! Of course, I just spent that money on better craft beers, but the potential was there 🙂
Guest
March 9, 2012
Priceless!
Gilvus
March 9, 2012
Have you been conditioned to shout loudly every time you see a large scaly reptile? Ivan Pavlov would've loved to have you as a test subject...
Joshua Kennon
March 9, 2012
Replying to Gilvus
I think Pavlov would have been fascinated with how we are conditioned by media in general. I've been reading lately about how emotional connections to television characters creates surrogate intimacy, resulting in behavioral changes in the people who empathize with their favorite show.
I think video games would have to have a much more powerful influence because you spend so much more time immersed in them than a television show. Take Skyrim compared to the television show "Friends". The latter ran for a decade, or 236 shows at let's say 23 minutes each. If you watched every single episode, you would have to clock 54 or 55 hours. I'm now at more than 3x that level with Elder Scrolls Skyrim, which is the same as watching 30 years worth of Friends episodes.
Oh, and one more thing: When dragons show up, I'm not the one screaming. They are.
Gilvus
March 9, 2012
Replying to Joshua Kennon
I'm not sure if a surrogate relationship with a fictional character is the same as an immersive video game. People have shared compelling stories and legends since antiquity, but only recently have we been able to lose ourselves in realistic fictional worlds like WoW or Tamriel. I'm sure there's some overlap though.
Oh, I was just imagining you screaming FUS RO DAH at the iguanas at a pet store. Just a hilarious mental image.
Joseph Woodhull
March 13, 2012
I went to Ikea this weekend and every single dresser or night-stand I looked at I wanted to open and take alllll the gold!!! And maybe a potion or two.
Joshua Kennon
May 11, 2012
Replying to Joseph Woodhull
I hear ya!
Brent McAlee
January 20, 2014
I love Lowes! I buy giftcards online at a discount of 6%-10% with my 2% rewards credit card and stack it with my 10% military discount. I've saved thousands! Of course, I just spent that money on better craft beers, but the potential was there 🙂