The Benefits of Pokemon GO

Pokemon GO has become so famous even my mum has heard of it (to give you a frame of reference she’s not heard of the Lord of the Rings). It seems like everyone I know is either playing this game or making fun of people who play it. And while I’ve been entertained by the tongue in cheek remarks of the latter, I can’t help but wonder if they are being unfair. That’s right. I think Pokemon GO might actually have some merits.

  1. After years of hearing that video games make us lazier, this app is encouraging people to get fresh air and exercise.
  2. When I was a child, it was common to collect stamps and coins, one cost money and the other actually is money. Collecting Pokemon on the other hand is free.
  3. As far as I know, the game promotes social equality. Rich people can’t buy their way through Pokemon. They have to do just as much work  and be patient as everyone else.
  4. The game has been proven to help people who are suffering from depression. And that’s something many of the people involved in carrying out recent terrorist attacks have in common. Perhaps this is oversimplifying things, but I’d be interested to see the results of a study that looks into Pokemon GO’s effects on reducing terrorism.
  5. Some players have witnessed burglaries while hunting for Pokemon and alerted the police.
  6. Nearby Pokemon stops are helping small businesses and the overall economy.
  7. Watching people play this game is free entertainment for everyone in the vicinity.
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