Friday, May 25, 2012

The Game of Throes

Image: A pixelated version of Frank (the human) has bounced over a large equation, "undefined integral of cosine of two x, times e to the two x, of x", which is fading to be replaced by the text "Integration by parts, +25 points!" Stretching along the top of the screen, in contoured letters, is displayed "Semester: 3 of 8" and "Points: 576"

Throughout my years as a student, I likened college to an enormous game. In each level, you're introduced to a new game mechanic, which you then have to use to reach the next level. Any level may require you to use the mechanics from previous levels, each level is harder than the last, and no level is unpassable. But there's a reason games aren't considered real.

Friday, May 4, 2012

It's only polite, 3 of 5

Image: A  vehicle is being driven by a diminutive, extremely anthropomorphic kitten, barely big enough to turn the steering wheel. Atop the dashboard, Frank the mouse, about the same size as the kitten, albeit slightly less anthropomorphic, looks out the windshield and notices the vehicle is driving along the wrong side of the road, as evidenced by a "no entry" sign, a "wrong way" sign, and a truck that's about to hit them head-on.
"Uh... are you sure you know what you're doing?" he asks, spreading his arms out nervously, turning his body slightly towards the cat.
"Relax," says the cat, apparently preparing to steer the vehicle, "I do this every day!" Caption:
Some people are just not built for their jobs

The next person I want to thank on my little "what has made real life tolerable" series is Startide.