I may not have them any more however my pokemon card collection put me into one of the largest mediums in my childhood. The pokemon fad became so big in my home town that pokemon cards were banned from school because it was because the distraction it was causing. The card game created a complete social medium. Blogs, strategy guides, TV shows, video games, and friend groups were all developed as a result of the “POKe” medium. It connected everyone and anyone as long as you possessed the cards.
The cards were an extension to a fantasy world of creatures that invoked the imagination of children. Collectors were able to show off, battle , and trade cards. Kids were able to define themselves by collecting and trading for their favorite pokemon. As a child the kids around me judged each other based on the cards they had. The cards you owned almost directly related to your social status. Rare holograms and elite cards elevated your status in elementary school.
It is interesting to look back and see what social mediums we belonged to as children because they were the ones that defined us the most and possible effected who we are today.
Amazing topic. My elementary school had a very similar issue with pokemon cards as they became such a huge distraction as well. Displaying social status through the items you own is a concept that even adults experience in our society. It's funny to look back and see how our perceptions of social status through the items we own changes as we age.
ReplyDeletePeter,
ReplyDeleteI have to admit 5th through 6th grade was certainly an epic time in my life. Kids were whipping out Pokemon cards left and right. Young children were throwing dollar bills down on battles in between classes and secret rare card trades went down out by the swings. I fully understand why you have a pika pillow now. My card collection really elevated my status as kid. For sure.