Slightly Lost...

"What exactly is Pokemon Go and more importantly why do I care?"

After seeing about a dozen articles on the subject over the course of about 12 hours, this was an actual question I asked my workmates yesterday morning.  I was given the following answer: It's an alternate reality version of Pokemon hunting using the camera on your phone.  Now, I'm not a complete moron when it comes to technology.  I use my phone quite a bit and happen to love all sorts of apps that make my live easier and more fun.  But after getting that answer, my first response was

Huh????!!!

Those individual words make sense but when you throw them all together in a sentence, I'm lost!  From what I can tell, this newest tech craze requires you to wander around aimlessly looking for "Pokemon" that aren't actually anywhere, through the lens of your phone, losing all sight of the traffic, other people, or crimes going on around you.  That much I get.  

But I'm getting lost in the Pokemon themselves.  How exactly do you find something that isn't technically there - or anywhere if you really want to get specific?  They're just little animals made of computer code.  Are they "put" places?  Do you find one, then share the photo?  And then do other people locate that exact same spot to find the same Pokemon?  Is that the thing?  Because if it is, I'm seeing loads of struggling businesses that don't get a lot of foot traffic being brought back from the brink of disaster by Pikachu and his friends!

Then there's the case of what happens when you do find them.  Do you have to do something special to capture them?  Is taking a picture with your camera sufficient to "catch" them? Because I gotta say, I've almost exceeded my phone's limits just taking pictures of everyday life.  I gotta think that these people that are snapping away at Pokemon are going to need more space on their phones to store them all, eventually! 

I have all of these questions just trying to decipher the game. I haven't even brought up the complete incomprehension of articles I've read about the fall-out from the game.  Auschwitz and Arlington National Cemetery have had to request people not play the game in their facilities. (That should not have to be said!)  People have had accidents attempting to Pokemon Go and Drive (Can't you just see that ad campaign now?  Instead of an egg indicating your brain on drugs, there'll be a smashed Poke-ball to signify your brain on Pokemon Go... : )  While another article shared the story of a husband who was caught cheating because of the game. 

And this game has only been out in the States for less than a week!

Isn't that slightly terrifying?  I know that Pokemon Go was created as a way to get gamers out and about and moving, which I'm all for.  But I think I liked it better when they were holed up in their basements playing.  At least then they were safe, sound and not walking into trees....