Mama Diaries

Monday, August 15, 2016

Pokemon Go . . . Away!

You've probably heard about the Pokémon Go craze that's hit America (and maybe the rest of the world). The creators of Pokémon thought it would be good idea to have a scavenger hunt where video game players could go outside to find these little Pokémon creatures. It seemed like a good idea at the time, because shortly after the game came out, I began seeing teenagers out and about getting some much-needed fresh air, albeit with smartphones in hand.


Now, it's just downright annoying. My son has been hit with the Pokémon bug. "Mom," he said. "There's a Pokémon across the street. Can I go out and get it?"


"No," I said. "We're in a restaurant, and you're going to sit there and eat your dinner!"


When we were done, we went out and walked along the shopping center walkway. The boy stopped. "There's a Pokémon over there, at the theater. Can we walk over and get it?"


I frowned. "Fine. But no more of this!"


We walked across, he got the Pokémon, and we walked back to where we had been.


A few minutes later, my son asked, "How far is ten kilometers?"


"Too far," I said. "There's no way we're walking ten kilometers so you can find a Pokémon!"


"That's not bad," he said. "If we start walking now, we'll get there before dark."


Grrr!




Other random Pokémon incidences:  We saw a sign in an car oil changing place that announced they had Pokémon there. We saw another sign at a police station that said, "Don't even think about stealing our Pokémon!" And lastly, the LA zoo and a huge Pokémon promo day. They were not doing so well in attendance numbers, but when they announced that they had Pokémon at the zoo, thousands showed up just to catch them. What a marketing tactic!  





    

53 comments:

  1. It does get people out of the house, but it can be annoying. I've heard of people knocking on houses asking if they can come in and get their Pokemon.
    That was a smart strategy for the zoo. Hopefully the kids looked up once in a while and saw some animals.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope so, too. I find zoo animals far more fascinating than Pokémon!

      Delete
  2. Hi, Sherry!

    "We've got Pokémon" is indeed the most powerful marketing slogan/sales pitch since "FREE BEER!"

    I happily avoid fads like Pokémon Go. Mrs. Shady's 42 year old daughter is obsessed with it and so is her 12 year old son, our grandson. In spite of all their denials (and claims that they can quit any time they want), the hobby consumes gobs of their time each day and is yet another step away from the genuine face-to-face human interaction that the world desperately needs right now.

    I intend to spearhead a crusade to stamp out Pokémon Go in our lifetime. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. My daughter is a player as well (go team Mystic!). Mostly, she'll catch anything that pops up on her screen and hit up Pokestops while I drive. I haven't had to face any direction of "Mama, go there" yet.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your post reminds me of a scene from GALAXY QUEST where the son is racing outside with an arm load of fireworks and the mother's response is, 'Well at least he's out of the house' or something to that effect. So far I haven't been around anyone with the Pokeman crazy but I'm sure it's coming.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you notice more teens on the streets than usual, it's probably due to the Pokémon craze.

      Delete
  5. My nephews like Pokemon but I was surprised to find out that they didn't like Pokemon Go. My youngest nephew things it's downright dumb. lol I thought they would've been all over it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Haha walk 10 km to catch a pokemon. Great exercise though. :) A smart marketing strategy indeed. A lot of establishments here are using these to lure customers as well. I was at a hospital the other day. Inside the elevator, there were doctors glued to their phones. One asked the other, "which level are you?" When I turned to look they,they were all playing Pokemon Go. My brother and I decided to install duolingo to learn a new language instead than catch creatures on our phones :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are much smarter! I would've done the same thing as you.

      Delete
  7. it sure did hit these parts too, and some people literally = a little girl was hit here by a car while she was trying to catch a Pokemon in the street.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It can be downright dangerous. People are focusing on Pokémon and not paying attention to what is going on around them.

      Delete
  8. Well, at least he asks to walk there? We have cars in the neighborhood that will pull up, block the street for five minutes while they lazily catch it, and then just drive away. I feel like that defeats the whole purpose...

    ReplyDelete
  9. I wonder how long this craze will last. It's good to get people outside, but not if they aren't looking where they are going--LOL! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It'll probably last until the bad weather hits, then nobody will want to go anywhere.

      Delete
  10. My whole family does Pokemon Go (although I am way behind the rest of my family in levels). It was a fun way to pass the layover time in the airport when we were on our way to and from our family vacation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess if you need something to do . . . I'd rather read a book.

      Delete
  11. The closest I've come to Pokemon is the little thing I make that looks like a Pokeball. I think the concept is a little creepy, but I guess it gets people out and about.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never been much of a video game fan, so I can't say I understand the appeal. I think it would be more fun to go hiking and find interesting things to photograph.

      Delete
  12. It's astounding how quickly Pokemon Go has gotten so popular. The game-playing, get-a-little exercise aspect of it is okay, but I worry about the people who are starting at their phones while walking or driving because they're so engrossed in that game.

    Me? I'd rather play Scrabble. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure plenty of people have gotten hurt playing these games. I prefer intellectual pursuits as well.

      Delete
  13. Good to get them out of the house for exercise, but annoying indeed it can be. Good marketing tactic for the zoo, been used like that in a few places.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely a good marketing tactic. The zoo folks were smart.

      Delete
  14. I finally know what Pokemon is because you explained it. I keep hearing about it, but I felt I had better things to do than look it up. I thank God that Pokemon wasn't around when my kids were young. I feel no interest in it.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not interested, either. I don't think we're missing anything.

      Delete
  15. I haven't heard about this Sherry, will keep my eyes and ears open on this.
    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you go to the park, you might find kids with their cell phones doing this.

      Delete
  16. I am not a Pokeman fan... it might be great to get exercise but I have heard of many people being injured. My daughter has a talk and text plan... no data, only wifi... she was pretty upset she couldn't play it but the rule in my house is if you want data, you get it when you have a job and can pay for it... I pay for my own data... so no Pokeman for my daughter yet... xox

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for the useful information.
    Guys, I found this free Pokecoin Generator and it worked very well for me http://34.gs/FreePokeCoinsGen You are welcome :-)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow that is an amazing marketing tactic, I can see how that can bring in numbers by the thousands! I've got sick of the Pokemon craze too. I downloaded it for a bit to see what the fuss was about, but the fact I had to walk out the house and go to streets I'd never been and possibly risky areas or get mugged, did not appeal to me lol.

    Raindrops of Sapphire

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd personally rather pay attention to what is going on around me than to stare at a screen while I'm walking.

      Delete
  19. Yeah, popular here as well. My 'claim to fame' is the pokemon character (don't know which one) residing on the steps of the church where Mr T worships.

    ReplyDelete
  20. My son and I do Pokemon Go together. He's loving it, and I like that it tracks how much I walk. I asked my son if he'd like to play the original game on the Gameboy which we still have, but he declined saying it's too old.

    ReplyDelete
  21. It is quite the craze! I have seen people playing it, but haven't played myself. I can see how it can be used as a marketing tool from your examples. Maybe I should have some Pokemon at the next book signing I do to help draw a crowd. :)
    ~Jess

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a great idea! I wonder if it's possible to arrange such a thing.

      Delete
  22. I haven't come across anyone using Pokemon Go in real life, but I've definitely seen people talk about it online. I've even heard horror stories of this app causing people to break-and-enter. So yeah, I can see how a craze like this can become real annoying real fast!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. People are crazy with this stuff. Breaking and entering just to catch a Pokémon?

      Delete
  23. Pokemon didn't last on my phone this summer. I didn't really get it and wasn't good at it. I'm worried about next week. When my students return from the summer, are they going to go Pokemon hunting on or around campus?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You might have to confiscate their cell phones while class is in session.

      Delete
  24. There are things I just don't understand (and you ads are for Pokemon go!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess the computer picked up on the key word and figured that this would be a good place for those ads. ;)

      Delete
  25. I read so many mixed reactions to it. I personally think it is silly and it is just a matter of time before someone dies walking into traffic or off the edge of a cliff!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think there have already been injuries and accidents from it.

      Delete
  26. I've not seen anyone chasing imaginary critters. Then again, I don't get out much and, if I do, I'm not terribly observant. Or bright.
    What were we talking about again?

    ReplyDelete
  27. I've not seen anyone chasing imaginary critters. Then again, I don't get out much and, if I do, I'm not terribly observant. Or bright.
    What were we talking about again?

    ReplyDelete