http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/25956 What did they used to say about movies during the Great Depression? Can't remember just now (we weren't there), but maybe it was something about how people spend their money on forms of escapism when times get tough. Ready for a little escapism? And world domination? Kern's got you covered. Bakersfield alone has three strategy game stores and one manufacturer of historical military simulation board games. And the news is (you were waiting for this weren't you?), they're expected to do well &mdash; better, even &mdash; as consumers cut back on other expenses. Why? Gaming enthusiasts list a number of reasons: It's a relatively cheap, &quot;renewable&quot; form of entertainment; it promotes community; parents prefer it to video games; it's habit-forming; and, unless you want to be crushed by your opponents, you just may need to invest in the latest cards or gaming miniatures. This all makes us wonder. What other discretionary-spending-based industries are positioned to do well through this economy? (Drugs, alcohol and repo services don't count!) What did they used to say about movies during the Great Depression? Can't remember just now (we weren't there), but maybe it was something about how people spend their money on forms of escapism when times get tough. Ready for a little escapism? And world domination? Kern's got you covered. Bakersfield alone has three strategy game stores and one manufacturer of historical military simulation board games. And the news is (you were waiting for this weren't you?), they're expected to do well &mdash; better, even &mdash; as consumers cut back on other expenses. Why? Gaming enthusiasts list a number of reasons: It's a relatively cheap, &quot;renewable&quot; form of entertainment; it promotes community; parents prefer it to video games; it's habit-forming; and, unless you want to be crushed by your opponents, you just may need to invest in the latest cards or gaming miniatures. This all makes us wonder. What other discretionary-spending-based industries are positioned to do well through this economy? (Drugs, alcohol and repo services don't count!) en-us <p>What?  No one can escape into a good book anymore?  Sad man, sad.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/25956/#c_233067 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/25956/#c_233067 <p>What?  No one can escape into a good book anymore?  Sad man, sad.</p> <p>A good book is still the best but few kids read any more.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/25956/#c_233071 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/25956/#c_233071 <p>A good book is still the best but few kids read any more.</p> <p>Amen to that! My reading picks up in summer, the traditional time of reruns on TV.</p> <p>Kids will read if they come across something that interests them. Take them to a library, their sudden interest in books may surprise you.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/25956/#c_233253 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/25956/#c_233253 <p>Amen to that! My reading picks up in summer, the traditional time of reruns on TV.</p> <p>Kids will read if they come across something that interests them. Take them to a library, their sudden interest in books may surprise you.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I've always been a reader, I'll go for almost any genre but romance and dragon/sorcery stuff (Read &quot;Lord of the Rings&quot; at 13, great stuff, but not my taste)</p> <p>My children inherited my love of books (Thank you God!) but it does seem as if TV/video games is killing the written word. Have you been to a library lately? 98% of the youngsters there are there for the internet...</p> <p>My sister and I played loads of games as children and I still look for new games to give her on birthdays and Christmas. I can't find anyone to play trivia games with anymore, she's tired of being beaten... ;-)</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/25956/#c_233256 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/25956/#c_233256 <p>I've always been a reader, I'll go for almost any genre but romance and dragon/sorcery stuff (Read &quot;Lord of the Rings&quot; at 13, great stuff, but not my taste)</p> <p>My children inherited my love of books (Thank you God!) but it does seem as if TV/video games is killing the written word. Have you been to a library lately? 98% of the youngsters there are there for the internet...</p> <p>My sister and I played loads of games as children and I still look for new games to give her on birthdays and Christmas. I can't find anyone to play trivia games with anymore, she's tired of being beaten... ;-)</p> <p>Pick up &quot;The Pillars of the Earth&quot; Ken Follet.&nbsp; You will not want to put it down.&nbsp; I also read all genres and this so far is one of my favorites. Just thought I would offer a suggestion if you are looking for a good read.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/25956/#c_233303 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/25956/#c_233303 <p>Pick up &quot;The Pillars of the Earth&quot; Ken Follet.&nbsp; You will not want to put it down.&nbsp; I also read all genres and this so far is one of my favorites. Just thought I would offer a suggestion if you are looking for a good read.</p> <p>A good book only goes so far. Sometimes you want to interact with people, too. A good game will do the trick, both stretching your mind and giving you some of that needed socialization.</p> <p>Plus, there are games based on books, including Pillars of the Earth (yes, based on the Follett novel). And if Lord of the Rings is your thing, there's the war board game, the miniatures game, the narrative board game, the CCG, the RPG. </p> <p>Me, I'm fond of train games and miniatures games. I'm looking forward to playing in an RPG based on a miniatures game too.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/25956/#c_234228 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/25956/#c_234228 <p>A good book only goes so far. Sometimes you want to interact with people, too. A good game will do the trick, both stretching your mind and giving you some of that needed socialization.</p> <p>Plus, there are games based on books, including Pillars of the Earth (yes, based on the Follett novel). And if Lord of the Rings is your thing, there's the war board game, the miniatures game, the narrative board game, the CCG, the RPG. </p> <p>Me, I'm fond of train games and miniatures games. I'm looking forward to playing in an RPG based on a miniatures game too.</p> <p>Twiddle your thumbs and believe in your elected officals, everything will be alright, trust them</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/25956/#c_234307 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/25956/#c_234307 <p>Twiddle your thumbs and believe in your elected officals, everything will be alright, trust them</p>