America isn’t the only place dealing with systemic issues right now. Not the only place dealing with oppression and attacks on Freedom of Speech. Sadly, it’s something that’s happening in a lot of other places all over the world and has been for a long time. But when they do happen it’s good to know that there are people out there doing the right thing. People out there who are finding clever loopholes and workarounds to ensure that important information still gets out, still has a place to reside. A place where fascist regimes can’t touch it. Even if that place is Minecraft. That’s right. Minecraft is more than just a game, more than just a creative outlet. Now it’s a virtual haven for the truth. Thanks to a newly created Virtual Library.
As The Verge puts it, “Minecraft has established itself as a cultural phenomenon for many reasons: it’s creative, collaborative, and sufficiently facile as to be considered accessible to almost anybody. In isolation, these benefits seem relatively intriguing. In tandem, however, they form the perfect vehicle for Reporters Without Borders’ Uncensored Library, a virtual hub housing a collection of otherwise inaccessible journalism from all over the world, with specific sections devoted to Russia, Egypt, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam.”
And perhaps soon a section for the United States as well. I shutter to think that will be the case but with reporters constantly getting attacked while covering the protests (over one hundred separate incidents in the last few days) it’s becoming increasingly possible that we may soon lose Freedom of the Press. Especially with Donald Trump declaring war on the American people and tightening his gripe on power.
But the Virtual Library is not the only way that Minecraft is coming to the rescue. Fans of Disney, stuck at home due to COVID-19, are also using it to attend the parks virtually, thanks to MC Parks‘ 1:1 scale recreation.
As Insidethemagic.net puts it:
“Your is the limit when it comes to the creative world of Minecraft.
We’ve seen users create amazing works of art using the
, but this amazing recreation of everyone’s favorite lights show takes the cake.The attention to detail that the team at MC Parks has been able to capture is staggering. In The Hunchback of Notre Dame section, for example, they’ve even created a little silhouette of Quasimodo, swinging around the castle!
The little Genie during ‘Friend Like Me’ is also a real treat.
It’s super difficult to try and time lights, fireworks, and moving images to the rhythm of fast-moving Disney music, so kudos to the amazing team at MC Parks.
Disney and Minecraft are a natural fit, as both have captured the of their young audiences for years with no sign of slowing down.”
The success of this Virtual Library and 1:1 scale recreation of Disney point to the promise that Minecraft offers. Of course, there are other gaming platforms that offer massive potential as well, Fortnite chief among them. But even if Fortnite winds up growing its reach (and the success of the Travis Scott in game concert points to that happening) there will always be a place for Minecraft due to its accessibility, ease of use, and convenient escapism. Not to mention its ability to store information that can’t be accessed anywhere else.
In fact, it’s that ability to store information that is most noteworthy of all. Making me wonder if there are other potential uses for Minecraft. Could protesters coordinate their efforts on its servers? Could people from around the world use it to freely communicate? Or if we tire of Zoom meetings could we conduct business in a virtual world of our choosing? Maybe even in the Magic Kingdom?!
I’m not sure what the future of Minecraft in particular and gaming in general holds. But I do know that its the perfect tool for right now. The perfect cover for the truth. A place where information can live freely. Which is more than I can say for America right now.
Is a Virtual Library and 1:1 scale recreation of Disney in Minecraft the Greatest Idea Ever?
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