Procrastination seems to be an unavoidable obstacle for high school students. Facebook is the current leader in keeping individuals preoccupied with something other than homework and school-related tasks. The website offers much more than pictures and videos to hold users’ attentions; it has expanded to a virtual world of agriculture- also known as Farmville.
“I started playing Farmville as a way to pass the time at work during the summer,” said Junior Drew O’Bryan. “Little did I know that this game would soon evolve into a way of life.” What started out as a harmless game has turned into a “strict regimen” of cultivating and harvesting crops, said O’Bryan. As the new school year regenerated, many more students became aware of the trend of ‘Ditchin’ the city livin’ to become a farmer,” as the Farmville slogan says. “I never thought that Neuqua would go through a Farmville revolution,” said O’Bryan. “It seems that no longer are you judged by the brand on your shirt, but instead by the level of your farm.”
Not all students, however, are advocates of this virtual farming experience. “I don’t understand why everyone is so obsessed with it,” said Junior Janet Chen. “People waste their time sending Passion Fruit trees, Circus elephants, and transforming ugly ducklings into swans. It’s gotten to the point where people talk about it at school, discussing what level they’re at and how many more gifts they need earn the next ribbon,” said Chen.
Since the initial excitement has begun to dwindle, users have reached a more manageable interest in the virtual phenomenon. “Today, I am still an avid Farmville player,” said O’Bryan, “but with an addiction that is under control.”
Allyssa Pollard, Entertainment Editor
