We've Decided That Video Games Are Mature.

The other day, Erik linked me to an article. The author was upset because "All the good men are gone." She talked about how theyre all stuck in some sort of state of "pre-adulthood" because they all play video games. That seemed to be her only reason for thinking it, honestly. Naturally, Erik was upset, and the more I think about it, the MORE upset I get too. But now for entirely different reasons.

Since when is there only one way to act when you're in your 20's? Do we really all act the same way people did 20 years ago? No? I didn't think so. Nor should we aim to.

I think people are having trouble accepting that we are the new generation, and it's our turn to decide what that means. We get to decide what's cool, what's mature, what's appropriate. The last generation had it's chance, like every one does, and now we're up. Don't like what we decide? Tough.

I really like what my generation is deciding. I like that video games aren't just for little kids. I like that it's taboo to be against gay marriage (for the most part, at least). I like that normal gender roles are being challenged on a regular basis. That we're politically active. I mean, really, I'm excited for the current generation to get out so that we can get in and have our turn at the White House. I'm sure it won't be perfect, it can't be, but I have a trememendous amount of hope that we'll get a lot of it right. That when WE'RE 60-year-old fuddy duddies set in our ways, it won't be to hold women back or deny gay people basic rights. We'll screw some stuff up, sure, but we'll get some stuff right.

So when people get upset that "there aren't any good mean anymore," I'm sorry, but every time I look around I see guys women would be lucky to date. Yeah, they play video games and in general have an appreciation for things I suppose were traditionally just for kids, but my generation says that's the norm now, and I'm glad that's how we are.