I have given up in despair. All the clap-trap and fol-de-rol and mysticism were too much for me. As if there wasn't beauty and mystery and charm enough in real life without going over to the supernatural for your great effects. It must be the vulgarest kind of mind which has to resort to blue lights and tinsel and pantomime to produce any impression.

This Edith Wharton quote is one of the early entries in C. Gibson's blog, WoW Survivor. The blog begins with Gibson's own experience with playing and quitting World of Warcraft. He then encourages other "World of Warcraft survivors" to send in their stories, which he's begun posting.

I am...encouraging people in my situation to chime in so that...others don't make the same mistakes I/we did...those who feel they are losing someone they love to a video game can get some extra insight and...those that have left behind gaming to focus on other issues in life can see that there plenty others alongside them. Think of this as our paper dolls or 'Armory profiles,' except they represent our tangible achievements and struggles.

You can read the blog here, and C Gibson's own story is detailed in this entry. Congratulations to the blog's participants for recognizing when they have a problem. Videogames in general, and MMOs like World of Warcraft in particular, can be an insidious thing.

(Thanks Game Politics and ExGamer.)