One evening you go to sleep thinking everything will be as it was when you get up in the morning, only to discover you’ve awoken in a strange new world where humans roam the landscape hunting and gathering virtual creatures with their phones like digital nomads.
Pokemon GO is just insane right now. This is in Central Park. It's basically been HQ for Pokemon GO. pic.twitter.com/3v2VfEHzNA
— Jonathan Perez (@IGIhosT) July 11, 2016
What is this place?
Fact is, Pokémon Go is running the world. Adults, kids, teens, men and women, no demographic is immune to this smartphone phenomenon. In the U.S. alone over 10 million people have downloaded the app in the past week and hit the streets to stockpile these deceptively cute Pokémon creatures. The good news: it’s getting people off their ass and, in some ways, creating a renewed sense of community through this “augmented reality”. The bad? People are forgetting about the “reality” part of the equation as they mindlessly wander into traffic or the spider webs of tech-savvy criminals.
Horse people are galloping into the madness as well. Since the game requires players to physically cover large parcels of land it was only a matter of time before some intrepid souls took the game to horseback. While this might seem like the perfect marriage, beware…
Eric just texted me saying he's outside riding my horse to find Pokemon pic.twitter.com/WJrF98vDxP
— smelly hippay (@epicallyem) July 11, 2016
Eric my man, you’re commitment is unquestioned but you look like a fool.
I catch Pokemon by horse back and my horse knows exactly where to go ✊
You just can’t beat a good Pokémon-proof pony.
You know me, riding my horse and catching Pokemon. The grind never stops. pic.twitter.com/08Ix96Pyqk
— Ava Valenzuela (@ava_valenz) July 12, 2016
She raises a good point…
@Dana_DelRey don't ride and play Pokemon my horse saw a deer and I fell in a thorn bush pic.twitter.com/P1ZbB8cBAU
— EDNA MODE (@allybourelly) July 11, 2016
The blurred line between what’s real and what’s fake is just one of the many perils of a Pokemon world. If you’re keeping score at home: Deer = real. Pokemon = not real. Scrapes = real.
Work hard, Pokémon hard.
Playing Pokemon Go…on a horse… on 112
Would love to see the look on his face when he finally looks up from his phone and realizes he’s no longer on the ranch.
Found a horse instead of Pokemon pic.twitter.com/x8UBp6KjJL
— 5'7 But Gifted (@BIG_E98) July 12, 2016
Ok, this is getting bizarre.
Just saw a girl playing pokemon go while riding her horse just miss the fact that the toddler she almost ran over got pooped on by the horse
— Llama pizza party (@ithinkofcats) July 12, 2016
Wait, what?! So many questions…
In all fairness a unicorn with a mane and tail of fire is more exciting than a dressage test.
Be smart and stay safe out there, Pokémon thirsty equestrians. And for those of you still wondering what the hell is going on, relax, it’ll all be over in a couple of weeks.