Monday, August 17, 2009

Video games and experiments





Performing a biology experiment is somewhat like playing a role playing video game (RPG). You need to pile a series of success to reach the goal. There are two types of the RPGs. One is the Final Fantasy/Dragonquest- type games, and the other is the Zelda/Metroid-type games.

In the Final Fantasy/Dragonquest-type, all you need to do is to give commands to your character to defeat the enemies and to make him/her stronger and stronger. Tactics and strategies are important. The character will gather a lot of weapons and armors, potions, and dozens of other items in the inventory. The inventory has to be well organized by the player.

On the other hand, games like the Zelda series and Metroid, a player needs to develop his/her own skill and technique to control the character. The player needs to learn how to precisely attack enemies and maneuver quickly from their attacks. Very challenging and even stoic.

I assume those who live on biochemistry and molecular biology may prefer the Final Fantasy/Dragonquest type rather than the Zelda/Metroid type.
I prefer Zelda and Metroid. There I could even feel dopamine being gushed out inside my brain when I defeat the final opponent. I feel similarly when I am having a good result from the electrophysiological experiment.

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