How has The Escapist enriched your life?

[Tiger King]

well I was a lurker for a long time and I mostly stopped by for zero punctuation or to watch the nuclear arguments in R&P over guns.
I did start contributing eventually and come here everyday now.
not sure if I made any friends but there are people on here whose avatars I recognise and some I would say are good people I enjoy talking too.

there seems to be a few people on here that are quite popular, everyone's always mentioning this 'daystar' person so perhaps the escapist has its own celebrities ?

 

[FamoFunk]

Escapism UK... Actually meeting people in real life with similar interests to me was ace! Seriously... that is the best thing I had from the 'pist!

Yeah, I was going to mention that, too. Esc '11 was great, it opened up life-time friendships and spin-off meets for me with pretty awesome people that I have so much in common with. Roll on July!

 

[Angie7F]

I was a lurker also. But then I kind of started to enjoy posting.
It has become an outlet of my normally censored thoughts and ideas. lol

 

[Zeema]

This website has hugely impacted my life, I have created deep friendships with some of the best people I could ask for as friends and I have been introduced to a lot of awesome things that I would have otherwise missed out on.

So yeah, thanks Escapist.

Pretty much that

i found my first friend on this website (the person im quoting is said friend )

 

[Basement Cat]

I've found entertainment here. I've found news articles, individual comments and discussions that have educated me and broadened my mind. But mostly I've found friends and a kind of community that I've never encountered before.

I've also found acceptance. I was surprised at how easily people accept you and are willing to heed your silly opinions here.

And I've found out how forgiving people can be: I'm surprised at times that becoming a Mod doesn't get you isolated and shunned like a medieval leper.

I've also found a favorite gif. ^_^

Spoiler

 

[Rip Van Rabbit]

Flawed? In what ways? *please not pacing, please not pacing.*

You analysed her character, that's admirable. Not too many people bother to do that themselves.

Also, congratulations on making a positive thread that reminisces the past without it devolving into something entirely else ^_^. It's quite refreshing to see a thread like this.

I had no problems with the pacing, who told you that? (Go bonk them on the head right now!)

I suppose I would want the characters fleshed out just a tiny bit more, especially the those in the Otherworld. Mainly BRS herself.

Perhaps mystery and an almost calm and collected composure that focuses on cold determination is just her thing.

Though I would've loved to have had more insight into BRS herself (perhaps through internal thoughts and dialogue?) and by extension, more of Mato (She's adorable, but I relate to her in many ways on a realistic level).

I loved the concept of the drama occurring in the real world, manifesting as a visual metaphor in the Otherworld. I wanted to see more of that!!! (Mato starts to get through to her friend by the end of the first episode. That's when BRS finally starts to fight back against the forces that are stopping her.)

I also viewed the Otherworld as a big psychological metaphor for the sub-conscious domains of the human mind. The Otherworld characters (What BRS is to Mato) is simply a visual representation of that person's internal self-image. As in, that was a personification of Mato's true self-identity.

All in all, many may think that the drama is overblown. But I don't buy into that, these are teenage girls. To them, situations like those really do have that much of an impact on you. So it makes sense from their perspective at that developmental period of their life.

Jesus, I ramble. I apologize!!

Probably not "flaws", I just yearned for more, because I loved the concept. Though of course it may not be everyone's cup of tea.

 

[Chemical Alia]

The Escapist forums is my go-to place for when I want to read things that make me angry at gamers on the internet. I can always find at least one thread here that never fails to deliver v:

 

[thenumberthirteen]

Without being too dramatic: It stopped me making a very bad decision once.

I've made tons of friends here, I doubt I could get through the week without them. It also helped me get better at Vectoring [Digitizing images] when I decided to edit pictures to make my avatars more unique.

Also, becoming a Moderator was a great way to find out how forums work behind the scenes. Plus it's a handy thing to put on my resumé to explain what I've been doing for the last few years. (Since I'm currently unemployed).

Spoiler: Favourite .gif I've found here

Moderating an Internet forum should qualify you to work for the UN. That or daycare

OT: I've been here for over 5 years. Including lurking time that's almost as long as the Editor-in Chief

In that time I've found loads of great games to play, had countless thousands of hours of entertainment from news, videos, podcasts, user groups, and the forums. I've been to Escapisms (I wish I could make the Expo), and met loads of brilliant people. The biggest way it has enriched my life, however, is meeting my boyfriend here. We've been together 6 months so far, and without the Escapist we'd never have met for which I am eternally grateful. This is an awesome site, and I'm here every day.

I mean this place has gotten me laid twice, AND it has funny videos. What more do you want?

Also since it seems to be the thing in this thread:

My favourite .gif

http://i.imgur.com/JvAod.gif

 

[Nouw]

passion-snip

When the day I watch this show comes, I will look back at this post with new-found appreciation :3. What you describe is very intriguing though; I love metaphors and parallels and etc. in media.

 

[Talaris]

All in all, many may think that the drama is overblown. But I don't buy into that, these are teenage girls. To them, situations like those really do have that much of an impact on you. So it makes sense from their perspective at that developmental period of their life.

I'm glad that you shared your perspective on this, as since I watched BRS back in January something felt really off about the drama within it, particularly in the final episodes. A lot of serious moments and characters getting emotional, but I felt no weight behind it as it didn't seem realistic in a way. The fact I couldn't empathise and feel something myself really frustrated me, but your reasoning that it particularly relates to the mentality of teenage girls during that period of their life makes sense, and perhaps explains why I couldn't relate. You've helped my mind rest easy!

I preferred the OVA to the series as being much simpler and straight to the point made the metaphorical alternate dimension battles more poignant. The action scenes in both the OVA and series were superb.

Back on topic, Escapist has allowed me to express my opinions on various topics, particularly on anime. I guess it's more special in a way to discuss niche games and anime within a smaller group, than on a huge forum which feels less personal. So thanks everyone for reading my comments! (And if anyone wants to chat about Freespace 2 you're more than welcome )

 

[Rip Van Rabbit]

I'm glad that you shared your perspective on this, as since I watched BRS back in January something felt really off about the drama within it, particularly in the final episodes. A lot of serious moments and characters getting emotional, but I felt no weight behind it as it didn't seem realistic in a way. The fact I couldn't empathise and feel something myself really frustrated me, but your reasoning that it particularly relates to the mentality of teenage girls during that period of their life makes sense, and perhaps explains why I couldn't relate. You've helped my mind rest easy!

I preferred the OVA to the series as being much simpler and straight to the point made the metaphorical alternate dimension battles more poignant. The action scenes in both the OVA and series were superb.

Back on topic, Escapist has allowed me to express my opinions on various topics, particularly on anime. I guess it's more special in a way to discuss niche games and anime within a smaller group, than on a huge forum which feels less personal. So thanks everyone for reading my comments! (And if anyone wants to chat about Freespace 2 you're more than welcome )

Heh, I was in the same boat the second time around.

See, I tend to get very emotionally invested in my favored forms of entertainment, especially anime. So I have this great amount of empathy towards characters, observing emotional connections and understanding things from that character's perspective. (Doesn't work all the time, but I'm just very receptive to character-driven stories)

Anywho, after being emotionally drained the first time around, I decided to give it a few months break before I revisited it again. My second viewing was rather critical, (possibly because I was in a bad mood at the time) I kept wondering: "Why are you sad? Tell her to go to hell! Punch her in the throat! Look, it's not that bad. You may be losing a friend, GET OVER IT!"

...then I had to restrain myself and think: Wait a moment, if you were at that age, wouldn't you feel the same way? Aren't problems like these generally the height of destroying/restructuring a teenager's self-identity, self-respect and confidence? So, visual metaphors aside, this is potentially a fairly realistic portrayal of teenage problems and how they internalize and deal with their problems? Huh, makes sense to me.

I agree with your sentiments about the OVA. I loved the OVA for sticking to the premise of the "metaphorical alternate dimension battles" so strictly. I fell in love with that concept and it overall felt like it had a tighter focus on the story between the two girls.

As for the anime, for some reason, my heart lies with this one. They put a spin on the "metaphorical alternate dimension battles" in order to flesh out what they are, which I feel is a misstep. This is purely subjective, but I felt it was better left as a visual metaphor, and not connected at some point. Otherwise, I love how they expanded the cast of characters and the universe as a whole (Just wish it was a little longer).


Plus BRS has a bitchin coat/hoodie/jacket thing. And those twintails are enormous! :O
---------

"Hey OP! Get back on topic!

Well screw you, buddy! It's my thread!

 

[EeveeElectro]

It's a good way to speak to actually intelligent people on the Internet. Even when I don't agree with someone, it's interesting to see their point of views and argument. I enjoy watching debates.
I've met some people who seem like better friends than my RL ones.

Most importantly this site introduced me to my boyfriend. I don't even want to think about where I'd be right now if it weren't for him, I'd be in a very dark place. I've never been this happy

Thank you Escapist! ♥

 

[Rip Van Rabbit]

It's a good way to speak to actually intelligent people on the Internet. Even when I don't agree with someone, it's interesting to see their point of views and argument. I enjoy watching debates.
I've met some people who seem like better friends than my RL ones.

Most importantly this site introduced me to my boyfriend. I don't even want to think about where I'd be right now if it weren't for him, I'd be in a very dark place. I've never been this happy

Thank you Escapist! ♥

*Sniff* :')

That made me openly go "D'aaawwww" for a moment, you met your boyfriend through the Escapist. That's extremely heartwarming and all the best to you two.

Oh, and nice username!
Next cosplay? Well what have you done so far?

 

[EeveeElectro]

-snip-

Many thanks! I know of a few people who have met their S.Os on here. I'm not sure if any of them have gone on to marry/have kids but it's nice to think the Escapist has brought people together.

As for cosplays, I've done a crappy last minute Team Rocket one, Freya from Chobits, Roxie from Scott Pilgrim and most recently, Fluttershy. I'm gonna do a Twilight Sparkle one next and a few people have suggested Elizabeth's corset outfit from Bioshock which I'm going to have to play first before I decide. I like having a few options to choose from though.

 

[Easton Dark]

I'm gonna do a Twilight Sparkle one next

You go girl, the world needs more Twilights walking around. The days have already come and gone that prove she's the most popular, but I want these people that are like "Fluttershy is mai waifu" or "Rainbow Dash is the best" to see just how in the minority they are, and quake in awe at the power of the purple unicorn, and then when the time comes that magic reigns supreme over friendship, their subjugation will be all the sweeter, and you as a harald of that time with your cosplay will be granted kingdoms in your name.

*ahem*

Uh... this site has made me familiar with loss, but I think that's a good thing, and I'll be a better person because of it.

 

[aivalera]

The escapist makes media entertainment awesome.

 

[Sethzard]

Well, thanks to the escapist I met @chiefmon, and thanks to him I met some of my closest friends. Also, I love the videos on the site, I came for yahtzee and now watch almost everything.

 

[Rip Van Rabbit]

Jigglypuff

What about Jigglypuff? Okay, I'm a little biased because that's my favourite Pokemon.
What about Black Rock Shooter!? Her outfit is...minimalistic. Okay, biased again.
Kat from the new Devil May Cry? Okay, bias again, I think she's adorable.

How about Rarity? If I had to choose a favourite pony, it would have to be her. She doesn't get enough love (I wouldn't know for real, I'm just guessing here.)

I quite like blue-dress-corset Elizabeth (Don't complain when people demand for you to toss guns and salt at them...actually, bring a salt shaker and throw salt in peoples eyes! You can get away with it, because you're Elizabeth)

Although Twilight is a good option in my book to.

 

[secretkeeper12]

I bookmarked this thread, and it's still as relevant as ever! Thank you OP and posters, for creating this gem of optimism in a cynical internet.

My personal escapist experience has given me a good look at politics and religion, helping me to develop mature opinions on them. I can't say I've really enjoyed it, and if I could would delay my curiosity until I was at least past my adolescent years, but I guess things could have only happened the way they did. Of course, I've also enjoyed the entertainment of Yahtzee, Jim, and Unskippable, as well as the general mundane discussions ever present on these forums, so it's not all serious.

Honestly, my biggest concern is just how to judge people, myself included. Seeing all the horrible problems caused by idiotic politicians, greedy unregulated corporations and general ignorance, I can't help but think how the life of the common citizen relates to them all. It seems, if everyone spent a few hours of their free time educating themselves, using the great tools of any good library (books and internet) on matters everyone should be taking seriously (mainly politics, but also people or organizations they feel affect them), things could be so much better. Then I read some MSN news comments, or see some paranoid youtuber with a legion of loyal followers and realize that quest for intelligence which I take so seriously hardly crosses their minds-and that they have good reason to be like that. At least, I WANT to believe they do. But I can never be too sure of that, especially when their arguments are demoshed and yet they just. Keep. Going. I've seens this one too many times on this very forum, which makes me seriously question the moral standing of them, and by extension much of humanity. These questions would normally be completely irrelevant, but I've seen them asked mamy times and have never read a competent answer. Any argument seems to be based on poetic goodwill rather than plain facts or logic, and all it takes is one person to point out the fallacies for it all to come tumbling down. And that person is not wrong to do so.

Such is the life of a 21st century internet child, I suppose. Who wants some xkcd? [http://www.xkcd.com/]

 

[Barbas]

This place and its residents are a source of constant amusement and fascination.