EXPERIENCE

A rich and varied exposure to many different stimuli leads to a curious mind that consistently seeks to know, to understand and to grow. A mind numbed by constant fear and brutality, indoctrination or video bombardment can be or become stifled or stale, unable to appreciate beauty, wonder or pleasure. The soft touch of a warm summer breeze, the feel and look of rich soil, the smell of a cedar forest are all anchors to the full experience of the real world. These types of experiences cannot be replaced or duplicated but they can be remembered. Touch and smell can trigger memories that can stir our inner being with astonishing emotional responses. I doubt the memory of a virtual event during a video game could elicit anything close to this kind of response.