With the “Pokemon Go” frenzy all around us, the world is now a real Fantasyland. Pokemon Go craze sweept the nation and the entire world and is poised to surpass Facebook and Twitter.

Instead of wandering the landscape for hours as smartphone zombies, they could be reading about and discussing real-world failures such as the $40-billion missile defense program exposed by The Times or the shocking $1-trillion total program cost for the F-35 fighter jet.

In the year of an important presidential election, Americans should be focused on the issues. The consequences of fantasy distraction are perhaps best described by author Neil Postman:

“When a population becomes distracted by trivia, when cultural life is redefined as a perpetual round of entertainments, when serious public conversation becomes a form of baby talk, when, in short, a people become an audience and their public business a vaudeville act, then a nation finds itself at risk; culture-death is a clear possibility.”

As the next mayoral election approaches, Eric Garcetti, like many Los Angeles mayors before him, has reason to ponder just how many of his fellow Angelenos can come up with a list of his accomplishments. Or just one accomplishment. Or even know he’s mayor.

 

In the nearly two weeks since Pokémon Go launched in the US, rabid players have already come up with a number of insanely clever ways to find — and catch — Pokémon. And now, Pokémon Go-themed dating services have already arrived to help players find — and catch — well, love. Because nobody wants to be the very best … alone.

One such service, Pokedates, officially launched nationwide on Wednesday, complete with Pokémon-like branding and the slogan, “Gotta catch ’em all, together!” according to a press release. Project Fixup, the Chicago-based dating startup behind PokeDates, claims it’s the world’s first Pokémon Go dating service, which given the game’s insane popularity, is actually kind of surprising.

Just as the name suggests, the service works by matching singles for — you guessed it — playing Pokémon Go together on dates in their cities. Here’s how the company describes it, per the release:

“‘PokeDates’ are curated dates where singles are matched based on their questionnaire preferences and a mutual desire to play Pokemon Go. PokeDates coordinates all the details, from selecting the match to finding a time based on members’ provided availability, to selecting a convenient PokeGym or PokeStop meeting point.”

However, just like advancing to high levels in the game, you’re going to have to pay up to advance to a second “PokeDate” and beyond, each of which costs $20 after the free introductory “PokeDate” (because people need to cash in on the Pokémon insanity). To sign up for the service, you have to answer a few questions and share when you’re free for said dates. With any luck, and perhaps a few Great Balls, you’ll match up with another trainer, confirm a “PokeDate,” and set off into the Rattata-infested wild of your neighborhood together.

 

 

https://pokestopgym.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/10729220_975795375767580_1965894626_n-e1469031912869.jpghttps://pokestopgym.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/10729220_975795375767580_1965894626_n-e1469031912869-150x150.jpgeditorFeaturedPokemon GOWith the “Pokemon Go” frenzy all around us, the world is now a real Fantasyland. Pokemon Go craze sweept the nation and the entire world and is poised to surpass Facebook and Twitter. Instead of wandering the landscape for hours as smartphone zombies, they could be reading about and discussing...Gym Locations