ALFRED'S BEST OF THE BLOGOSPHERE

This week's dedication goes out to Robitussin. If I had to get through a cold or the flu without this stuff...I just don't want to imagine it.

It's been kind of a long week--the flu for one thing, and today I had my first midterm in something like four years. The first test of a class is always a strain--you never know quite what to expect. From a theoretical, idealistic standpoint, I've never quite grasped the notion of the midterm exam. I mean...the point of the class is to change the student into a more-skilled, less-ignorant creature. Why grade anything other than the end-state? Why shouldn't everyone who ends up in the same place get the same grade?

Pragmatically, though, making sure that the students are doing any kind of work at all, and that what you're saying is sinking in, overwhelms any theoretical qualms.

Anyway, I'm living in dread of this grade. I feel like I did OK, but I'm never quite sure and there's always a contest between my academic ego and my insecurities over what grade I got. Basically, I'm trying to think about An---nt Me-------ia as little as humanly possible until I get the thing back. Then I'll probably burn the exam booklet.

On to the links!

I think we're all waiting for Essen; it's been kind of a slow week, posting-wise. Let's see what we have...

Shannon Applecline, over on Gone Gaming, discusses The Problem with Colors. As Mikko points out, this is geeking out at its grandest form. Non-gamers can comprehend discussing strategy, discussing art...but a 1600-word screed on how game companies color the pieces? That's pure geek, right there, and we at MR&TLU Industries salute you.

We welcome back Greg Schloesser to his rightful place on the Gamfest Gameblogs! It's a nice post on Katrina, which looms large for the Westbank Gamers (and alumni), as you might expect. What Mayfair (and others) did for Lenny Leo and those at his hotel is seriously awesome (as are the rest of the stories, but that one especially struck me).

Evangelism: Threat or Menace? is the question Dug posts over at the Gathering of Engineers group blog. Personally, I haven't been the most enthusiastic evangelist for games, but that's moslty because I lead something of a monastic existence these days. When I was at the Store, I exuded enthusiasm for games, most people knew I had a lot of games and played a lot of games, and I was open to introducing games to people, but didn't get a lot of takers. Then there are all the people who manage to get thriving game scenes going where they work...I wish I was an evangelist, I think they do good work, but personally I don't have much to show for myself. Maybe someday...

Having read this Ekted's BGG personality begins to make a little more sense. There's much to be said for criticizing perceived flaws in games (such as "it's necessary"), but I've found that it's generally worth doing with charity and humility, rather than the stereotypical prosecuting attorney-style. Sometimes the Farragut approach works, but it's worth looking into the Fabian as well.

(Of course, I'm one of those "humanities" people, so you'd expect me to be illogical and wishy-washy, eh? Actually, if you think history/literature scholars are softies when it comes to something they don't like, I have some reviews I've read to show you. You can really take a crowbar to an idea or a book (or a game), and leave no illusions about it, and retain a collegial tone. Musings On... comes pretty close to this for games.)

(And this isn't to say there aren't some overly defensive people on the 'Geek, either.)

Maybe people aren't writing much these days about games because this is a bad year for games? That's Rick's proposal, anyway. I'm not so sure; the year is young, for one thing. For another thing, while I'm not sure there are deathless classics on the list there's some good stuff (I like Louis XIV--with "repaired" shiled rules--Fjords, Nexus Ops, anything in Wings of War, and I bet I'd like China), at least. Besides, it's way better than...I dunno...1982? If 2005 is a "crappy year for boardgames," we're in good shape.

Finally, this isn't a blog, but it's far and away the best gaming thing I've seen on the web all week--Intelligence Report on Subject #M33P135: The Meeples. Enjoy!

See y'all next week--time for some sleep...