Why those looking down on Pokemon GO players are the ones who need to ‘get a life’

Pokémon GO is gradually taking over the world and, for some  reason, that is offensive and threatening to a great deal of people who  are making every effort to treat players with as much disdain as they  can.  

Before I embark on a takedown of the inevitable but embarrassing  snobbery out there, I feel it’s important to add that I haven’t played a  second of Pokémon GO. And, somehow despite this, I haven’t yet felt the  need to ask anyone why grown adults are playing a game on their phone.  Nor have I shot a filthy look at someone engrossed on their phone on  public transport. My secret? Well, I’m not a judgemental moron for a start.

Not liking Pokémon GO is absolutely fine and even understandable – it is  most certainly not for everyone. Like absolutely every single thing in  the world, it can’t be universally adored. But there’s a difference  between not partaking in a craze and being unnecessarily scathing about  those who do enjoy it.

As inevitable as the sun rising in the east, the craze which has  succeeded in getting many a gamer to explore their outside surroundings  and also help people socialise more has brought with it the haters who  just can’t help but have a pop at the hobby. The main line of argument is that adults shouldn’t be playing games  because apparently, they are for kids. Others are scoffing at seeing  people mingling in parks collectively seeking to catch a certain Pokémon  while a third argument is simply that ‘Pokémon isn’t real, get a life  lol’. I don’t feel the need to disarm individual arguments in any great  detail given that the counter arguments are obvious and backed up by  fact. But to summarise: 

1. Gaming is one of the biggest industries in the world and  has been proven to help problem solving skills, decrease anxiety and  develop motor skills. 

2. Gathering together outside is also known as socialising.  Just because parties have cans of beer instead of Pokémon, there isn’t a  world of difference and the game is helping thousands to make friends  over a common interest. 

3. Yes, Pokémon isn’t real. Nor is Game Of Thrones, the  latest cinematic release, your favourite best selling novel or TV soaps.  But real life can be a depressing thing and everyone needs some  escapism. One form of fiction isn’t more or less acceptable than  another.  

It boils down to a superiority complex. Some simply can’t help seeing  something be popular and feeling inexplicably above those ‘caught up’  in the craze by mocking them. In actual fact, this is the behaviour that  is most immature rather than those simply playing a game.

Remember that when you share that hilarious meme about wanting  everyone to shut up about Pokémon, you are opening yourself up to people  searching through your social media feeds to find out what YOU talk  about. Chances are, you talk about something else that other people don’t  like. The difference is, they aren’t attacking or shaming you for it. People enjoying a game doesn’t harm you in any way and something that  brings entertainment, helps thought skills, makes the most of  technology and gets people of all ages talking with each other,  exercising and meeting new people needs to be celebrated, not scorned. When you’re typing up your tweet about seeing a grown man in a suit  catching a Pidgey in public (oh, the shame!), take a long hard look at  yourself and maybe consider if he is the one with the problem. Nobody should be ashamed of their hobby or interest and, whether you  like Pokémon GO or loathe it, it’s not for you to decide what is  socially acceptable to enjoy and what isn’t. Live and let live – because the only people who need to ‘get a life’  are the ones who get a kick out of belittling the enjoyment of others.