ExpoEstudios 2013!

If you asked me what are the things I like the most, definitely traveling would be one of those. And that's why when some teachers of the English Department asked me if I wanted to participate in the "ExpoEstudios", I answered that definitely I'd go. I had some troubles between, because it was the same day that I was asked to play football for the school, but in the end I went to this exchanges-fair, where I could inform myself about how did exchanges worked. And I have to say that the possibility of traveling to the US, Canada or UK to learn English, has really excited me. Hopefully, for the end of the year, I could travel to any of those places and have a great experience. And if not, it doesn't matter, because I hope some day I'll be able to do it.
Also I want to thank the teachers that went with us, Mr. Calderón and Mr. Carey. It was really fun to travel to Santiago for this event.

Talk: non-recognition of the real world?

Hello everyone.
As you know, I'm here to talk to you about video games and their effect on society. I've often heard that video games alienate people, make them weird, anti-social.
I often like to question myself about life. And one of those questions is "what does real mean?" And I have reached the conclusion that reality is simply anything we perceive. Even if it's not there for other people, if it makes me sad, angry or happy, it's real for me. But then, how could something, like video games, "alienate" me? I think the problem is more from society's vision of the world, than of video games per se. 
Have you noticed that society often tries to blame an invisible "ghost" for their problems? And one of those ghosts is nothing less than society... Isn't that completely absurd? We blame society, but we are society... Can we stop and think about it?

Video games were, of course, created to entertain. No matter if they are action, adventure or to test skills, they have the same function. I think that the problem of "alienation" which is blamed on video games, is not really that. Perhaps real life is too boring for those that pass their entire weekends playing! And, in the end, the question should be: how can someone alienate himself if everything he does or feels is part of his reality? I repeat, it's completely absurd... Video games entertain. Period. There's nothing more that we should worry ourselves with.

Let me corroborate my theory with some data: 
-66% of people who play computer or video games do so with their friends, either sat with them advising, or actually with a second handset competing in the same game. 
-30% of gamers play with their brothers or sisters.
-25% play with either their father or mother.

I'd assure you that most of the videogamers have strengthened their bonds of friendship through playing games. And if you can tell me some people that you might know that are completely anti-social and, even weird, they are just exceptions.

Another thing that anti-videogaming people may mention, is about playing with unknown people and that it might be dangerous. That's not true! I don't think there's a better way to know people you might never have seen in your entire life, and with no real danger at all!

As I've already proved, videogames can't alienate people. But, apart from not being bad, have video games got something that makes you feel better? Of course!
And I can give plenty examples of how videogaming helps you to be happier:
-It helps relieve stress. 
-When you succeed in the game, you are happier than before.
-Considerable improvement of hand-eye coordination.

Why is it that it's so important for us to be blaming others, and criticizing them if the play too many video games, if they do not practise sports, if they do not have a girlfriend/boyfriend? Let's worry about ourselves, and let people live their lives as they wish to. Remember that, as the expression says "when you point at someone, three fingers point back at you". 

Just to finish, don't blame something that doesn't harm anybody. Just sit, turn on your device, and start playing!
As the great Mahatma once said, "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." And what activity fulfills all those requirements more than playing videogames?

Life is too short to take it seriously...Be happy!

ESU National Public Speaking Competition: "Ideas are our greatest weapons"

It was my first time delivering a speech, and it was for the ESU competition! I have to admit that I was really nervous, as I supposed I would have to face really great speakers, and actually that's what happened. In this fantastic opportunity that the English Department gave to me, I was accompanied by my friend Rodrigo Jeria, and by the teacher Mr. Sam Carey. The overall topic of the competition was "Ideas are our greatest weapons", and I decided to focus it on educational problems, while Mr. Jeria spoke about Gandhi's peaceful revolution. This event was held in the Universidad de los Andes, which by the way, has got a really great infrastructure and really nice and kind people. I think that, even if we didn't classified as one of the 2 best of our heat, it was a great opportunity to practise and improve verbal skills. As a matter of fact, I'd say that both of our speeches had a huge improvement since the moment we started writing and practising them. 

So, just to finish, I'm simply grateful of the opportunity that the English Department gave me for having a really great day with Mr. Carey and Mr. Jeria and all the other contestants, specially the V Region ones, who we traveled with. 
I hope the best for the students that will go next year!

Video Games... Are they good or bad for us?

Hey again, I've come back with a task that is really interesting, as it lets us to think more than regularly: I have to prepare a text in which I analyse a subtopic of the movie Play. Below, you can find the video and, of course, make your own idea of it, and perhaps even help me with my task.

Till now, I have thought of the following idea to base my work:

Subtopic: The non-recognition of the real world

Text type: Talk

Other sources of information:

-6 ways games can encourage happiness

-How might video games be good for us

-Video games as an isolating activity

Also, to make a better work, I'll also make an  online poster, in edu.glogster.com, so just for you to know, my nickname is SebastianBarriga.

Hope you like it when it's finished!

And don't forget to give ideas!