Video games, conspiracy theories and pro wrestling

[BKRULE]

Born
into a family and my Dad left when I was about 12 months old, raised by a
welfare Mum for the most part (born and live in Australia). 

Mum didn't raise me with an
organised religion but always enforced her believe in a god, angels, crystals,
reincarnation et cetera. The fact that Mum was so inconsistently irrational I
feel lead me to atheism quite early. 

In 1999 when I was eleven played
the videogame Metal Gear Solid (a game with a deep plot about
Government corruption). The plot of the videogame left a large impression me
and I attribute that to my fascination with conspiracy theories.

I never took the popular
conspiracy theories seriously, but I was thoroughly entertained by the idea
that the New World Order was pulling the strings and that cigar smoking puppet
masters were laughing at us in smoke filled board rooms.

Being a lifelong pro wrestling
fan as well, I always admired and respected Jesse Ventura. Say what you will
about how he presents himself on shows like Conspiracy Theory (an obvious
tongue-in-cheek characterisation) he is the one who introduced (not converted)
me to the idea of Libertarianism.

My conspiracy theory hobby lead
me to stumble upon the Zeitgeist films series, which then YouTube graciously recommended
Stefan's critique.

Stefan's critique lead me to look
at some of his videos and then to the podcast series (about 2 months ago).

I am currently up to podcast 192
and my head has been completely blown off. So much of this has resonated with
me more than anything else I can remember. I look forward to contributing to
the community now while I still seem to have 1900 or so podcasts to go.

 

[MysterionMuffles]

Interesting story, welcome to the boards. MGS games always had the effect on me, especially with their endings that make me feel like Snake's missions were all for naught due to even bigger conspiracies. They do do a good job at tackling some censhorship and control issues.

As for the thing with your mum's everchanging beliefs, you are now proof that kids are BORN rational. If you witnessed that kind of inconsitency it was only a matter of time.

BTW are you actually listening from Podcast 1 after the other, or do you just get the ones you're interested in? I have a lot of free time on my hands, and I'm sure others have somewhat busier lives, I just wonder how they would find the time to consume every last podcast without skipping to what is more relevant to your own personal interests.

[BKRULE]

Yeah, the whole theme of 'we are not tools of the government' that runs throughout the series was very captivating, even before I knew why (probably because I wasn't paying taxes at 11 ).I have been listening from podcast number 1 as I have a commute to and from work I am burning through them pretty fast. There are podcasts I am tempted to skip because the topic/title didn't interest me but those ones usually end up being quite entertaining/informational.

[Kody Palmer]

I too had help from a Pro Wrestler in my conversion process. I got turned on to Ayn Rand by former WWF Star Ultimate Warrior. He is a Convervative Republican but he turned me on to several Ideas that helped improve my critical thinking.

[Guest darkskyabove]

 

 

Metal Gear Solid (a game with a deep plot about
Government corruption). The plot of the videogame left a large impression me
and I attribute that to my fascination with conspiracy theories.

 

 

Welcome, fellow gamer. (My video gaming started with PONG. I actually won a competition, First Prize: SUPER PONG!!!)

On the conspiracy theory note: Might I suggest Deus Ex. It introduces an international conspiracy. I'm holding back any spoilers, in case you, or anyone else, hasn't heard of it. It is somewhat old (c. 2000), but was rated by PC Gamer as the best PC game of all time in 2011. (http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/02/16/the-100-best-pc-games-of-all-time/10/). It's the only game I know that introduces "moral" choice as a condition of gameplay. There are multiple endings based on the choices you make throughout the game.

 

[nathan2587]

Yea the Deus Ex game is pretty good. Should augmentation be regulated and the bad corporations using the government to keep sarif's corporation new product from market. People addicted to the pills for augmentation. All good reflections of what is happening in life now with many different things.

[spacepan]

I saw Jesse Ventura speak at Rally for the Republic in 2008, Ron Paul's "shadow convention," and I was actually very impressed with him. I have no idea what's going on with that Conspiracy show and why he would jeopordize being a credible voice for liberty in order to do... uhh... the things he does on that. I can also relate to the fact that podcasts on topics you wouldn't necessarily "choose" are GREAT. Otherwise, I would be trapped in the political philosophy bubble, totally ignoring the fact that philosophy is so much more powerful in the areas of your life that you can control.This thread also makes me want to play Metal Gear Solid (I was more strictly a J-RPG kid), but I'm terribad at FPS's..

[tasmlab]

Jesse Ventura's book "Don't start the revolution without me" was entertaining, although it wouldn't be on my short list of recommended reading.  It's very much like he figured out his libertarianism on his own i.e., he just sat and mulled things and that's where he ended up.  He didn't need or choose to read a bunch of Rand or Rothbard or whatever.

Which also makes him a little inconsistent.  For example, he was really jazzed about his state-funded light rail project when he was governor.

What was cool, though, is when he was teaching at Harvard the dean had to ask him to stay away from McNamara (secretary largely responsible for Vietnam war) when he was guest lecturing because Jesse was going to KICK HIS ASS because of the evil and murder McNamara had enabled.

I'm a peaceful, non-violence fellow, but BOY would it be unusual and satisfying to see a 70 year old man beat the shit out of another 70 year old man who had sooooo much blood and immorality on his hands.