I don't think it's inaccurate to say there are things, including some of our fears and fantasies, we know exist, but we avoid staring them in the face.  When we encounter them through an intermediary like our dreams or the playspace of a game, they grab hold of our attention.  Also, I just like letting simple things stimulate unexpected thoughts.

Nothing will ever be the same.  And yet, we've been here before.  Nintendo's efforts to expand the gaming audience has worked like a charm.    And while some hardcore gamers are whining about this influx of casual gamers and the games they want, what we shouldn't  forget is that many of these new casual gamers are actually old hardcore players.