There’s been some backlash to the Pokemon Go-ers out and about in downtown Clarkston, especially Depot Park.
Some commentators on our Facebook page can’t stand them, and criticized us for promoting or otherwise not condemning the activity.
When first seeing people shambling about with their faces buried in their phones, yes, that is unnerving. Are there invisible cartoon monsters underfoot? Very 21st century, I thought.
There are stories of people walking into traffic, off cliffs, into secret government installations, etc., while playing the game, and some of them might be true.
One local incident is in this week’s police reports. Players were out late at night and were accosted by a group of ne’er-do-wells who were apparently not fans.
But just be careful and know what’s going on IRL, not just what’s on the screen.
Playing in the park during daylight hours is great. Folks are out in the sun, socializing, enjoying the outdoors. I even saw some people dressed as Pikachu and other characters from the cartoon.
But if out at night or in areas prone to youthful violence, perhaps a Pokemon-free escort might be a good idea, at least to provide early warning and a cell phone ready to make actual phone calls (to police or parents).
My phone’s not quite up to the task of downloading and supporting the app so I sadly can’t take part in any of this. By the time I upgrade it’ll be hopelessly outdated.
There’ll probably be something new by that time, though.
Like maybe actual (virtual) Pokemon battles, like in the anime show.
The Go version might have something like that already, but I haven’t yet seen the jumping around, arm-waving, voice-shredding shouts of battling trainers, while friends calmly explain what’s going on to bystanders, nor any evil monologues of villains bent on using Pokemon to take over the world.
Or whatever it is they do. I haven’t watched the show much or in a long while. Team Rocket probably want to take over the world, though.