Assignment 8: Corey McMullin

Fears- zombies, heights, people taller than me (ie Walt)
Annoyances- loud people, babies
Accomplishments- Pokemon Master of all six regions
Confusions- Why is race such a major topic in today’s news? Why haven’t we moved on, 150 years after Lincoln freed the slaves, and 50 years after MLK Jr’s speech and civil rights?
Sorrows- procrastination
Dreams- figuring out what I want to do with my life
Idiosyncrasies- quiet
Risks- Permit, I mow my lawn with a stripped extension cord
Beloved Possessions- video games, my television
Problems- procrastination and forgetfulness (this should be proof of that)
Pokemon Master was once a major accomplishment. You used to have to fight in hundreds of battles, slowly raising your Pokemon to become monsters of mass destruction to beat the gym, all so that you can advance to the next town and do it over again. I have used this method to conquer all six regions in the Pokemon universe, but over the years it has become too easy. Some may say it is because I have gained experience, or it’s because I’m older now, but it is the games that have become easier. Before generation six (Pokemon X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire) you would be required to level up slowly, gaining only a set amount of experience per battle. Now all of your Pokemon get at least a small percentage of the total experience.  This makes it much easier to level up your monsters. In addition to that, Pokemon that are traded level up quicker, and with the internet and increased connectivity people are able to trade with anyone else worldwide. Besides leveling up quicker, the games also seem to include weaker gym leaders and elite four (sort of like bosses). This leads to weaker Pokemon demolishing areas that used to take everything you had just to get by. These few changes, along with others, make the games and my accomplishment feel too easy, as though I didn’t do anything great in my playthroughs.