From: wcollins@netcom.com (Walter J. Collins)
Subject: Re: MUDS should be banned.
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 14:14:21 GMT

In article <1992Nov19.020256.13688@news.unomaha.edu> dburgdor@cwis.unomaha.edu (Darryl Burgdorf) writes:
>Lone Wolf (jbroda@ux4.cso.uiuc.edu)  wrote:
>
>> In my sole opinion all mud games should be banned. There are people
>> that almost completely give up their social lives for playing a MUD.
>> They spend up to twelve hours sitting before a terminal, neglecting
>> their obligations to the real wolrd. Gradually, they come to consider
>> the MUD as their reality and one that is more fun than the actual world.

Sometimes a lot more than twelve, my friend.

>
>And while we're at it, let's ban TV, ...

[lots of good points about banning things deleted] 

>In fact, let's ban ALL hobbies, since no matter what it is, there's SOMEBODY
>who devotes too much time to it!
>
>Lone Wolf, I certainly hope you weren't serious.
>
>	Darryl C. Burgdorf
>

The United States tried to do something like this once.  It happened in
the early 20th century.  It was called Prohibition.  Now there are lots
more arguments against drinking alcohol than there are against mudding.
In fact, there are significant arguments *for* mudding.  Alcohol has few.
I drink, but I drink in moderation.  I'm 26, btw. :)  I also mud.  With
somewhat less moderation, admittedly, but moderation nonetheless.  There 
are people on the net.  What a great support group when you're down!
But you know what I say to someone who comes to me and says that they
need a social life because they mud too much?  I tell them to do 
constructive things in their life, and I help them find things to do..
these may include schoolwork, going away for the weekend, whatever I
can suggest.  But I also tell them to check back with me because they
came to me for a reason, and for me to help them I need to monitor the 
progress they're making.  I'm no psychologist, but I know what playing
too much mud is, and what it can take out of you.  I happen to think 
that muds are a terrific forum to develop socially, ALONG WITH real
interaction in life.  Mudders must encourage other mudders to have real
life interactions, perhaps even getting together with other mudders can
be fun sometimes.

As far as people who say they "can't interact with real people", for them
I have nothing but frustration.  All it takes is to just TRY and have HOPE.

==> HOPELESSNESS IS THE ONLY THING THAT CAN EVER DEFEAT A HUMAN BEING. <==

If a person has hope, even in the face of defeat, they can know that success
is coming.  I have news for everyone in this category:  HOPE COMES FROM
INSIDE YOU.  You can create it, or you can destroy it.  Such power we all 
have over ourselves, and yet we still have unhappy people in the world!
You choose your path though.  You choose to be happy or sad.  Sure, there
are catastrophes every now and then.  But a winner is only strengthened
by loss.  It makes him/her more prepared for the next catastrophe.

Look in the mirror.  Do you see a winner looking back at you?  If you
said no, then seek counseling.  *Everyone's* a winner.  You just may
not realize it yet.  Stop crying and get out there with a smile and LIVE.
It sinks in.  And besides, it's what life's all about. :)

Another public service announcement from your friendly neighborhood mud admin,
Walt (Cynic@UD)
-- 
wcollins@netcom.netcom.com  < Walt Collins / Kristin Harvey >
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