I have refrained from playing World of Warcraft (and pretty much all video games) because I know that if I ever got involved, I would become so sucked in that I would never be able to accomplish other things. Of course, now that the Blizzard people have demonstrated themselves to be homophobic assholes, I am now officially disinclined to involve myself with anything that Blizzard ever puts out again.
Magic Hours by Tom Bissell: This marvelous collection of essays chronicles everything from film shoots to novelists rescued from oblivion. (The essay on the Underground Literary Alliance, with its portrait of raucous factions, unexpectedly reveals how soft today's literary world has become.) But if you peer between the cracks of these smart pieces, you may very well see how cultural lives are formed from the most unexpected life choices. And as we follow Bissell's development as a writer over the years, that goes for Bissell as well. (Bat Segundo interview with Bissell)
Angelmaker by Nick Harkaway: Harkaway's latest novel greatly improves on his previous book, The Gone-Away World, which I'm already on record as praising. Angelmaker adopts genre elements without ever feeling like a genre book, and it leads me to believe that Harkaway is well on his way to a narrative grace close to China Miéville's. Yet inexplicably this very fun book, which includes an eightysomething badass named Edie Banister, a mysterious mechanical object that may destroy the world, farcical scenarios involving lawyers and the police, and some unexpectedly moving moments about fatherhood, doesn't appear to be getting much attention in American newspapers. Nothing from the snobs at The New York Times Book Review, nothing from The Washington Post. And since I can't get Harkaway on Bat Segundo, I hope this Jump Up and Down mention gets you hopping as well.
The Age of Insight by Eric Kandel: Unless you're really pressed for time, forget Jonah Lehrer. If you want to understand creativity and its relationship to neuroscience, then the bowtie-wearing Nobel laureate is your man. In addition to being a physically beautiful book (you will drool over many of the paintings), there are helpful overviews on optical illusions, science, biographical backgrounds, and many vital figures from the Vienna Secession. Kandel's enthusiasm (and his call for greater unity between the humanities and science) is contagious. 
You found people to be afraid of humans? Oh, I’m sorry I guess what you really meant to say was “people are disgusted by and recognize homosexuality to be immoral and that upsets me.”
All I can say is that I aboslutely love World of Warcraft. I’ve been playing for about a year now and don’t plan on stopping. While WoW is addicting, I must say that I play for more than just the addiction, I play for the social aspect as well since a lot of my friends kick it in Azeroth! – Representing Akama – Lvl 60 Warrior
I’m gonna give Gianni Calluci props for being a complete fuckup.
Stop thumping your fucking bible, please.. we don’t care what your views are.
Ok so i just HAVE to post something in response to Gianni’s moronic statement…
Immoral?!?! Yes becuase your bible says so….do u drink? Smoke? Gamble? Read horoscopes? Eat portk? Wear mixed fibre clothing? Work on a Sunday? Eat shellfish or prawns? Been divorced? Had sex before marrage? Not been circumcised withing 7 days of your birth? Well my friend….if you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above then i am please to inform you that, by your cannon law, you will be sentenced to death…night night…
Christians have a inherent penchent for picking rules that suit them….hypocrisy….
WoW was my first every MMRPG…in fact the first ever online game…..it is like nothing else……
Sure theres a bit of homophobia….but….you get that everywhere….i’m gay….but im secure with my sexuality and it is not my defining attribute….being a lv38 Priest is!!!! Hehehe you get homophobia in the streets….would u stop goin there too? Na…..live and let live i say….
x
I’ve stopped playing WoW, as well, and for the same reasons. I played a level 70 druid and was doing Kara with my guild when I finally decided that enough is ENOUGH.
For those who think that homophobia is common and so should simply be embraced, I say that you need to learn the difference between homophobia in life and PAYING good money to be slandered, belittled, dehumanized, censured, and ridiculed. It’s one thing to contend with some moron dropping the f-bomb from the gutter as you pass him. It’s another thing ALTOGETHER to pay good money to a company that believes that you should not enjoy the same rights, respect, and dignity that heterosexual players enjoy.
Why pay cash to be treated like scum when you can get the same treatment for free in the world? (Oh, BTW, you are NOT your character!)
Totaly agree with Victor. Only been playing a few months but decided Im not paying money to play a game full of homophobia. What a waste.