We’ve spent the last few months glued to our phones. Whether we’ve been tweeting support for #BlackLivesMatter, arguing with our grandparents about the Brexit result, or condemning brutal attacks on humanity, it’s been hard to escape the suffocating negativity and harrowing news stories in recent months. And yet, over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been given something to smile about. It’s a small thing. A trivial thing. But it’s something. Thanks to the release of mobile app Pokemon GO, we’ve been given something to talk about that doesn’t involve hatred, death, or disaster.
Of course, we’re still very much glued to our phones, but we’re doing so in unison. We’re getting out of our homes and talking to strangers, we’re making friends with people in the park, and we’re running around our towns and cities with a look of excitement and glee on our faces.
This 🙌🏼 I’d rather see several posts a day about #PokemonGo than more bad news that’s gonna break my heart 👌🏼 pic.twitter.com/Sq5UzkvtF0
— mrs always right △⃒⃘ (@mommarazzi_) July 13, 2016
Feeling down? Turn off the news, step away from social media for a moment, and immerse yourself in this fantasy world. Here are a few ways Pokemon GO is changing the world one pocket monster at a time…
It’s bringing us together
You only have to wander through your local park or city centre to see just how many hearts Pokemon GO has successfully captured. Pokemon GO is bringing people together and getting people to talk to one another. Although there have been some negative stories about the game in the press, the results seem to be overwhelmingly positive. I give it a year before we read about a couple getting married after locking eyes over a Jigglypuff.
This really does emphasise the fact we have more in common than that which divides us. We may have different opinions and opposing views and conflicting ways of doing things but, underneath all that, we’re really just a bunch of big kids longing to escape to a bright and colourful cartoon world filled with cute little monsters with magical powers.
It’s making us explore
Pokemon GO is making us to look around us and explore places we’ve never been to before. Despite living in Manchester my entire life, over the last few days I’ve found myself stumbling across landmarks and street art that I never even knew existed before. That’s all thanks to Pokemon GO. It’s reminded me just how fascinating this city is. As valuable as it can be to explore the world, we often neglect the fascinating sights that lie right under our feet.
It’s forcing us to exercise
You can’t catch ’em all from the comfort of your own sofa. You’ve got to go outside and walk around. I can’t wait to lose a stone thanks to this new Pokemon GO craze. It beats sweating it out in the gym, that’s for sure.
It’s saving us money
Pokemon GO is what I like to think of as good free fun. Unless you run up a massive data bill or travel the world in search of rare Pokemon, you can enjoy the game for free. I’m meeting up with a friend next week and rather than going shopping together or getting pissed on expensive cocktails, we’re going Pokehunting. Big kids and proud.
It’s changing lives
Perhaps my favourite Pokemon GO story so far has been the one from the mother of a young boy with autism. Since downloading the app, 6-year-old Ralphie Koppelman has been smiling, making eye contact, and playing with other children. Before being introduced to the game, he had trouble socialising and communicating with others. He used to hate going to the local playground and was often teased by other kids. Now, his parents can’t keep him away and he can’t help but make friends. Ralphie’s mum, Lenore says: “I would call it Ralph’s first taste of what it’s like to have something in common with the rest of the world.”
