Now that I have successfully planted an earworm of a Beatles song in your brain, -evil maniacal laugh-, I would like to share with you a music video that has touched me personally.
For my friends that are either too lazy to watch the video or simply do not wish to play into the advertising machine that is Youtube© I offer you a basic run down.
In the music video, “Friends and Games” by Blake, he brings forth an explanation of his gaming friendships. Blake takes us on a simple tour of his hometown and allows us into his daily life by taking an early morning ride. Blake describes his past and admits that he probably did play video games too much, even his parents told him so. He tells us that he was a shy person when he was younger and had various problems with classmates. Blake talks about some of his gaming experiences, and we learn that he developed a team of fellow gamers that over time became friends, with some of them being best friends. Blake vividly explains how these friends changed him, and that there is mutual respect for each other. He plainly states that he met all of his best friends through gaming.
In the music video, “Friends and Games” by Blake, he brings forth an explanation of his gaming friendships. Blake takes us on a simple tour of his hometown and allows us into his daily life by taking an early morning ride. Blake describes his past and admits that he probably did play video games too much, even his parents told him so. He tells us that he was a shy person when he was younger and had various problems with classmates. Blake talks about some of his gaming experiences, and we learn that he developed a team of fellow gamers that over time became friends, with some of them being best friends. Blake vividly explains how these friends changed him, and that there is mutual respect for each other. He plainly states that he met all of his best friends through gaming.
Just Nuclear
While the entire video is basically telling a story, I feel when Blake says, “ But, what made it special was not the gaming itself it was meeting those people that shared so much with yourself and that, turned my life around. I got people to talk every day that I found”, he wants to change people's attitude about gaming friendships.
When you want to change someone's mood tell a story |
The more real of a connection that can be made about any experience the better. Every emotion can be tied into a story and the more detailed it is made, the more powerful it can become. Here I have the past experience of online friends through games, but even if I didn’t, from Blakes statement I can expect to make friends through gaming.
“That we played, changed me forever we shared so much, same goals same endeavor and every time that we play games today we wanna be the best it’s just our way to say I respect you, and you are great to play with and I’m glad that nobody can take away this.”
Here Blake is tapping into a value that I believe we all feel about our own friends. He hits a nerve with my own values of respect for my friends, and that no one can ever take that away from me.
Rhetorical values do not necessarily represent "rightness" or "truth"; they merely constitute what people value |
No one wants to walk the earth alone, at least that’s my opinion and at the end of Blake's video he says. “And, that’s what bonds us and always will, so if I ever hear again that games make me ill I tell them that a lot of the people I met while gaming, are still what I call best friends, best friends” I feel here Blake uses a common desire we all have, we all want best friends. He is also telling us there is nothing wrong with meeting people through online gaming. | Exploiting your audience’s lust for something (flowers, bikinis) can push them from changing their mind to taking action Thank you for arguing (pg 92) |
Where have I been?
When I first came across this video I was awestruck at how it so easily fit with my personal life. I have been constantly looking into different areas to help explain online gaming friendships. Everything from Youtube© videos such as ----------> By using music and rhyme Blake brings us into his personal world and tells us his story from his point of view. This makes a very powerful argument because it shows some of his vulnerabilities, and allows us to see a more intimate snapshot into his viewpoint. The use of a more personal connection along with the music and simple wording expresses deep emotion, and we as an audience can almost feel how important this subject of friendship is to Blake. | |
As I said before no one wants to walk the earth alone, we all need someone in our lives. From emotional support to just being around and willing to listen. Blake obviously has deep meaningful relationships with the friends he has met through gaming. He shows us that you don’t have to be hanging around on the street corner just to meet people. He also makes a subtle argument about acceptance of all races, creeds, religions and so forth. It does not matter where anyone is from or what their beliefs are, they can still be friends through gaming. I believe this is a basic human desire to want to have friends, and to want to be included in something.
To take such a complex subject as friendship and explain it so simply to me is just amazing, then to put all of this into rhyme and a powerful video sets it one step above. If you would like to know more about Blake he has a website (link here) as well as a full Youtube© channel (link here). His music is also featured on itunes© and is available for download. (link here). |