http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/opinion/09rogers.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all&oref =slogin

If you want, skip the article. The flowchart is just great! On the left, choose enlarge this image, for the geek path goodness.

Call role playing games a gateway drug of sorts.

**This coming from a former Dungeon Master, who took mechanical drafting for access to the boards to create larger world maps! Failed the class, of course. Who wants to draw a freaking chain link, when there are castles, monsters and treasure to dream about?

Sold all my stuff my senior year to help with expenses and such. It's worth thousands now

Atari, teaching self pascal (and assembly language for the high level wussies out there), re-reading Dune, oh man! I'm nailed.

I had no social life as a child and I STILL never played DD.

You missed out then!

One activity that ended up being very popular was conversion of movies to D&D style campaigns. Take the story line, characters and key elements, map them out, provide for some interpetation of that story path with a brain storming "what if" session, and you've got a top-notch adventure good for a long weekend!

"Escape From New York" was about the best one we did.

Funny too. Most of the people who really wanted to play a game session or two, wouldn't touch the whole mid evil framework. The movie themed adventures ended up being done by popular request!

Watch the movie, random roll for character assignments, get junk food supplies ready, maps, and have a go from there.

Only thing missing from that chart is retro computing today. Most of the types identified in that article are in to the retro scene big time.

Dungeons and Dragons are for men who can't and will NEVER be getting laid! I'm sure a lot of 40 year old virgins play this game, not to mention 20 and 30 year old virgins.
If you are approached by a guy who wants to play Dungeons and Dragons with you, be assured that this guy has never seen a vagina.
Dungeons and Dragons= Life long celibacy (not by choice)

Dungeons and dragons didn't exist when I was a teen, or even in my 20's. And I was considered a nerd, at the time, the term geek hadn't been invented. But you would be suprised, how some young women can show thir appreciation, for helping them get their d or f grade up to a b or c.

I had no social life as a child and I STILL never played DD.

I will second that life experience Mc74. I guess though we all have that D&D in our lives. Mine I guess would be pro wrestling. It has a similar stigma attached to it that Beano above mentions.

I played sports. No time for geeky video games.

Well perhaps I was unusual. Had a nice social life --still do actually.

Drama, sports, music, computers, outside adventures (think survivor type stuff, lots of fun) all were in the pool of activities. Heck, we had a CB net too, for late night bs'ing without having to deal with parents and long distance phone bills.

Yeah ok, so it was wrestling and soccer. Still! Not bad --good enough to get some.

I'm with Vit. I played baseball, basketball, soccer,football and bowled.

Is bowling really a sport?

NOPE! Just like Golf and NASCAR.

I'm with Trixter on this even though I once bowled a 279 (or so).

I went to high school with this kid that I believe got a full ride scholarship for bowling. He wanted to go pro I am gonna have to google him to see if he ever did.

I would consider bowling and golf sports but NASCAR that IS a stretch!

I played a little bit of Dungeons & Dragons in high school, but I never got into it too seriously. However, back then I was not a big fan of the jocks because I thought that athletics detracted from the school's academic mission.

"I would consider bowling and golf sports but NASCAR that IS a stretch!"

Being the devil's advocate for a second, NASCAR is becoming more and more like hockey -- Both require more and more safety gear, and both allow intimidation and now, fist fighting.

Fist fighting in NASCAR?

Sweet!

Maybe I can retire my shirt:

http://www.bustedtees.com/shirt/boringnascar/male

If there was fist fighting every week and we knew it was going to happen... MORE people (guys) would watch NASCAR.
UFC Racing on FOX!

Absolutely.

Maybe have them wrestle for placement! Run the qualifiers. If the times are not distinctive --as in too close to call, have a brawl to see who starts where!

Hire Don King to set it all up, and make millions!

Drivers can call on champions, if they want to, because the high activity might impact their racing skill.

Enter the pro wrestling crowd stage right!

The beer companies can have a field day too.

Get the BRAVO! people to run a reality show, detailing the life of a prize fighting, car racing, family and their champion. They pick their champion, get to know them, etc...

Millions I tell you MILLIONS to be made.

Add a little porn and boom TRILLIONS!

Dude!

We are there. Let's go make some back room, smoke filled deals.

Two levels of porn. Soft-porn, that happens in the reality show context. Hard core, gets outsourced and licensed to the usual suspects.

The network feeds them insider content, branding and other race / fight tie-ins, they then run with it, using their models for interviews, etc...

After the races they have a barb wire wrestling match while girls have sex outside the ring.

And the goodness just keeps on flowing in.

Freaking gold mine. Pretty damn low brow, but hey, it would sell.

Freaking spectacle! Kick it all off with a $50 pay per view that funds the start up content. Sweet!

Drivers, loosen your throwing arms

Sporting News - RSS Feed
Posted: March 2, 2008
Sporting News staff reports

If fighting is a part of hockey, then why can't helmet-throwing be a part of NASCAR? Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage says he was glad to learn NASCAR has decided to loosen the reins on drivers this season, and as a result he has put up a "reward" for any helmet tossed during competition. Gossage: "I'm offering $15,000 for any helmet thrown by a Cup series driver during a race between now and the April 6 Samsung 500, (at TMS). . . . I've seen some helmets thrown during a race and never have they injured anyone or damaged another driver's car. We'll see what happens." The helmet must be thrown on the track during competition. . . .

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/racing/s_551881.html

You've got to have a little controversy thrown in there," he said. "You've got to have something to keep the fans excited and say 'Hey, this is my man.' I kind of enjoyed seeing it. As long as nobody gets hurt, a little scuffling never hurt anybody."