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mothergoose729
Profile Joined December 2010
United States666 Posts
September 02 2012 02:08 GMT
#1
I was standing outside of my computer science class the other day, listening to two of my classmates chat with one another. The younger guy was going on about playing minecraft, while the older guy was sort of pretending to listen. He suggested to him that he try the game, to which he responded, “That is such waste of time. I have so much better things to do with my time than that.” The conversation more or less ended there, and the two of them walked together into the class room to take their seats.

No doubt many of you have heard the same things before. It is a pretty typical response from people. When they imagine playing video games they think of some brain dead adolescent, dumbly staring at a TV screen with dead, glassy eyes, mashing buttons slowly on a controller, carrying on like this for literally every waking hour of every day.

When I hear people say this thing, I have taken it upon myself to challenge them on the statement. What exactly is it that you do that is so much more worthy of your time? Mostly I get the same defensive answers about work, or school, maybe they have kids or whatever, as if that absolutely gives them the moral high ground in whatever time management argument they happen to be in. When I point out that most people who play video games have work, or school, or kids or whatever, and video games are what they do in their free time, they usually back pedal a bit. “Whatever you do on your off hours is cool I guess. Personally I am always buys, I just don't have time for that kind of thing”. Not satisfied with that, they will then go on to list all of their many responsibilities, until they have thoroughly convinced themselves that they are the busy adults they think they are, working and attending to obligations thirty six hours of ever day.

The truth is that most people, on most days, come home and watch television. They don't tell me that because it would make their hypocrisy just a little too obvious. Not that there is anything wrong with watching television. I spend many hours every day engaging in fictitious combat with fairies, monsters, and above all, big breasted scantily clad women; I am not about to tell some guy watching reruns of “Cone Heads” that he is wasting his life. At the same time, if you are one of the millions of people who comes home everyday to watch fox news and the newest edgy dramas on showtime and HBO, you are no better off than me, or guy who watches “Cone Heads,” or anybody else for that matter. I could make the argument that video games are an interactive enterprise, while television is purely passive, so by playing video games I am actually making better use of my time than people who watch television... but I won't do that. It doesn't matter really. You do your thing, and I do mine, and lo and behold we are equals after all.

“I listen to music,” is a response I have heard. The subtext being that music is art while videos games are garbage. Well... there happens to be music in most video games. So... maybe some people play games, in part, because they enjoy the music in the game? Christopher Tin won a Grammy for a piece he composed for the video game “Civilization”. I don't know, I think that is pretty cool. There are also visual elements to video games, such as in the way the characters and the back grounds are portrayed. Couldn't those drawings and animations be artistic expressions? Most video game have a story. Maybe people play video games because they enjoy the plot and narrative? Also, if you consider the physical and mechanical actions in the game, the “game” part of the video game, that could be interpreted as a kind of art. After all some video games are “better” than others for some reason. Even playing video games could be artistic. Ballet is an art form, right? What is ballet routine but a display of creativity and technical finesse? Isn't a game of starcraft the same thing?

My favorite arguments are “you should go outside”, because people who play video games and social pariahs are mutually inclusive, or “you should play sports”, implying that their meaningless game played on grass is some how more worth while than my meaningless game played on a computer. Sports are a good way to get exercise, not knocking it or anything. If you don't like sports you should probably find some other way to exercise, if only for the good of your health. At the same time there are plenty of overweight, middle aged guys sitting in their house right now, none of them playing video games. No one is knocking on their door , telling them they need to find a foot ball field. That would be rude, right? So kindly STFU while I am shooting zombies on my Xbox, I do not need that thank you. I know what a tread mill looks like and I can find one if I need it.

I know I am preaching to the choir here... the point I am trying to make is that video games is just another thing people do when they are not working. Most of us spend the vast majority of our time attending to “responsibilities”. Responsibilities usually suck. Most of us don't like most of our responsibilities, but we do them because we are, you know, responsible. The things we do when are responsibilities are taking care of are our hobbies and past times. It's the part of our life we like doing, that we are passionate about, that we love. When you say “I have so much better things to do with my time then...” about anything you are about to take a giant shit on that person and that isn't cool. Forgive me while I get philosophical here, but after religion, family, our country, and then our work what we do with the rest of our life is really what makes us who we are. Nobody is knows any better than anyone else about that and nobody possibly could.


****
Sajiki
Profile Joined September 2010
Germany522 Posts
September 02 2012 02:49 GMT
#2
good read. i could make the same rant every goddamn day to be honest. it drive me mad what kind of attitude some people (read: my father) has on video games and what i am doing with my life (read: my free time). i find myself in the EXACT same situation you describe everyday of my life. thanks for reading my thoughts and putting them to paper (read: internetz).
건설로봇 준비완료
Sinensis
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
United States2513 Posts
September 02 2012 03:14 GMT
#3
I have experience with work, school, and kids and I can say with certainty that video games are a more worthwhile endeavor than any of them.
Chocolate
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States2350 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-09-02 03:34:35
September 02 2012 03:32 GMT
#4
To be honest I used to have almost exactly the same stance as you on this: videogames aren't any worse than television or sports. But for the past couple of months, as I become more and more disenchanted with every game I own, every game I watch, I've felt like I'm outgrowing games. I made a bad habit of sitting down at my computer every day when I get home, now I have production and motivation problems. I have almost no social life because I would rather stay in my basement than go out with friends. I have little in common with everyone else because only 1/10 of the people I know play computer games a lot, only a few (who I don't like) really play anything more complex than minecraft.

Everything is healthy in moderation: I would probably be fine if I could just play for like an hour or two per day, but I just can't. Although news outlets like to sensationalize "videogame addiction," I can vouch that it isn't hard to be addicted, to lose your priorities. I want to go to a top university, and although I have the grades and scores, it's hard to get the connections, internships, and other accolades you need if you're always hunched over your computer. I have also become less regular in my exercising and less healthy in my eating habits and thus gained weight/loss muscle. I'm not saying you can't play a lot of games without doing this, but after a certain point you have to possess a ton of self-control.

I'm not saying videogames are worse than TV because they aren't, but both have their advantages. I find myself a lot less engaged when I watch television and a lot easier to stop myself and get to work. Sports are amazing because you can make better friendships than online, get exercise, and "be cool," or at least do something that's socially acceptable.

For all you teens and young adults, if you are having problems with productivity, relationships, or what have you, seriously consider unplugging. Work out and socialize in your free time, I guarantee you will be happier and improve your life. Games are good in moderation, but if you're like me, it's very hard to keep them under control.
mothergoose729
Profile Joined December 2010
United States666 Posts
September 02 2012 03:40 GMT
#5
Hey chocolate I am glad you are happier with what you are doing now. Good luck with school.

Not much to say about other than that. You should do what is best for you, including not playing as much or any video games. Just don't assume people who play games are having the same experience you had.
MysteryMeat1
Profile Blog Joined June 2011
United States3292 Posts
September 02 2012 03:46 GMT
#6
You should also consider other explanations for that answer. If they are talking about video games chances are there pretty good friends. Maybe he's busy that week or he has other video games to play.

However for the rest of what you said I.E. playing sports or watching T.V. i've had that argument with my parents as well. My dad will come home after a day of work and he'll watch T.V. if i come home and watch anime its like its completly different. I took 5 years of japanese i can watch my anime if i want.

I've also gotten the argument that video games aren't social. While i agree sc2 isn't very social, its certainly more social that watching T.V
"Cause ya know, Style before victory." -The greatest mafia player alive
Chocolate
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States2350 Posts
September 02 2012 03:51 GMT
#7
On September 02 2012 12:40 mothergoose729 wrote:
Hey chocolate I am glad you are happier with what you are doing now. Good luck with school.

Not much to say about other than that. You should do what is best for you, including not playing as much or any video games. Just don't assume people who play games are having the same experience you had.

Thanks. I hope you don't think I mean all game-playing is bad: it's perfectly fine. But there's a point where you're not socializing, not working, and not moving that just isn't healthy. It's easy to fall into that situation, but if you're not in it then I think you're doing fine. I will always judge people who play too much videogames, just as I will judge people who watch too much anime or television or prioritize sports.

I just want everyone to manage themselves responsibly. If you can't, stay away from games. You'll end up like me: a bitter, out of shape, mildly depressed guy (not any of those now ) who regrets wasting all those hours making probes and placing pylons.
StateofReverie
Profile Blog Joined July 2012
United States633 Posts
September 02 2012 04:16 GMT
#8
use the word "like" excessively
obesechicken13
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States10467 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-09-02 04:57:28
September 02 2012 04:49 GMT
#9
I agree with you. I once wrote a blog on TL about how I felt forcing people to learn music was the same as getting them interested in other things that they enjoyed instead. Why aren't kids being pushed towards technology? Why karate, or foreign languages, or music, or chess? There's too much tradition in society and too often people grow old and want to argue "well I'm more experienced", my opinion should be right. No, it isn't. Logic is right.

It's tradition that watching TV and going outside is fine but playing games is not.
I'm improving as a player. I watch my replays, I do calculations, I test things out, I keep a document of all the things I've learned and refer to it in the future. I can even track my ELO progression. There's so much enjoyment derived from mastery of a hobby. Though be careful not to let gaming interfere with anything else.
I think in our modern age technology has evolved to become more addictive. The things that don't give us pleasure aren't used as much. Work was never meant to be fun, but doing it makes us happier in the long run.
Dalguno
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States2446 Posts
September 02 2012 04:53 GMT
#10
I've got a great story about this.

A girl I was dating and I were talking. She asked what I was doing that coming weekend, and I said I was watching MLG all day Saturday with some buddies. She said, "I can't believe you'd spend a day watching video games. That's so unproductive and such a waste."

First off, I told her, I'm going to be with my friends, which I don't consider a waste of time. Regardless, she says, I'm being unproductive and lazy and doing something not good.

Wait wait, I said. Two weeks ago we spent an entire day watching random movies, all day. From 8AM to midnight. How is that any different? She was caught a little of guard, and tried to justify it in some silly way. In the end she realized her double standard but still felt like she was right. Really freaking frustrating.
"I'm gonna keep making drones cause I'm a baller, and ballers make drones." -Snute
Shady Sands
Profile Blog Joined June 2012
United States4021 Posts
September 02 2012 04:55 GMT
#11
On September 02 2012 13:53 Dalguno wrote:
I've got a great story about this.

A girl I was dating and I were talking. She asked what I was doing that coming weekend, and I said I was watching MLG all day Saturday with some buddies. She said, "I can't believe you'd spend a day watching video games. That's so unproductive and such a waste."

First off, I told her, I'm going to be with my friends, which I don't consider a waste of time. Regardless, she says, I'm being unproductive and lazy and doing something not good.

Wait wait, I said. Two weeks ago we spent an entire day watching random movies, all day. From 8AM to midnight. How is that any different? She was caught a little of guard, and tried to justify it in some silly way. In the end she realized her double standard but still felt like she was right. Really freaking frustrating.

Yep, girls (and guys) are usually selfish and subjective. This leads to hypocrisy. If you can find one who isn't you are a lucky, lucky man.
Что?
SagaZ
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
France3460 Posts
September 02 2012 05:31 GMT
#12
Reading this is such waste of time. I have so much better things to do with my time than that.
Be nice, buy wards and don't feed double buff.
Shady Sands
Profile Blog Joined June 2012
United States4021 Posts
September 02 2012 05:50 GMT
#13
On September 02 2012 14:31 SagaZ wrote:
Reading this is such waste of time. I have so much better things to do with my time than that.

Then why post here?
Что?
ninazerg
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
United States7291 Posts
September 02 2012 05:56 GMT
#14
On September 02 2012 14:50 Shady Sands wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 02 2012 14:31 SagaZ wrote:
Reading this is such waste of time. I have so much better things to do with my time than that.

Then why post here?


It was an amazing meta-joke of epic proportions.
"If two pregnant women get into a fist fight, it's like a mecha-battle between two unborn babies." - Fyodor Dostoevsky
Bswhunter
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Australia954 Posts
September 02 2012 06:40 GMT
#15
I hate people who use the word depressed to describe their mood.
YOU ARE NOT DEPRESSED IF YOU FEEL SLIGHTLY SAD FOR A SECOND BITCH
Stop browsing and do whatever it is you're supposed to do. TL will still be here when you get back
Capped
Profile Blog Joined June 2011
United Kingdom7236 Posts
September 02 2012 07:59 GMT
#16
This is very true. I remember back when i was a teenager, i had this conversation with my mother. I was 13 and had no friends (Q.Q) so spent my entire summer inside, but she did the same watching TV.

I said to her "I'll stop playing games and ENGAGING my brain when you stop sitting on the couch watching TV and letting yours rot"

She soon shut the F--- up. I did eventually make friends and stop nolifing though :D

Basically, games are really alot better then some other peoples passtimes, you dont get the stimulation and challenge from most others (e.g music, tv) but at the same time, everything should be in moderation.
Useless wet fish.
imPermanenCe
Profile Joined July 2011
Netherlands595 Posts
September 02 2012 12:40 GMT
#17
What amazed me is someone who is in computer science class and doesn't play games :D
Micro at its best is like an elegant dance between two people trying to achieve a similar end.
mmMacks
Profile Joined July 2011
United States38 Posts
September 02 2012 13:06 GMT
#18
Video games are created for the player by a well-funded group of professionals with the end goal of the player having fun, learning something, improving at something--often times all while having the user be social.

What is not to like, or respect about playing video games? I understand where the stigma comes from, but people need to know when they have a misconception.
russian
Profile Joined June 2011
21 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-09-02 14:30:47
September 02 2012 14:28 GMT
#19
Don't rationalize your addiction. I'm calling it one as otherwise your oppinions shouldn't be that polarized.

There are infinite better alternatives for spending free time instead of games and you shouldn't intentinally pick bad exaples to remove some from the list. TV? While i agree 95% of what's on is garbage, you can still watch extremely high quality series (Mad Men), movies (TCM, MGM), documentaries (Through the Wormhole) and list goes on. Sports? No reason not to like it, you're probably lazy or weren't introduced to phisycal exercise by your parents. But that's no excuse. Music? Your rant didn't even make sense on this one so i won't bother. Games for storyline? No comment. How about a book?

More than 1-2 hours/day or 10-15/week playing games is bad. And with today's games you won't get the experience they're supposed to provide unless you waste a buckload of time. There's few exceptions, games that you can start, play, quit, but in most cases you don't have that luxury.
StarStruck
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
25339 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-09-02 15:26:37
September 02 2012 15:25 GMT
#20
On September 02 2012 12:32 Chocolate wrote:
To be honest I used to have almost exactly the same stance as you on this: videogames aren't any worse than television or sports. But for the past couple of months, as I become more and more disenchanted with every game I own, every game I watch, I've felt like I'm outgrowing games. I made a bad habit of sitting down at my computer every day when I get home, now I have production and motivation problems. I have almost no social life because I would rather stay in my basement than go out with friends. I have little in common with everyone else because only 1/10 of the people I know play computer games a lot, only a few (who I don't like) really play anything more complex than minecraft.

Everything is healthy in moderation: I would probably be fine if I could just play for like an hour or two per day, but I just can't. Although news outlets like to sensationalize "videogame addiction," I can vouch that it isn't hard to be addicted, to lose your priorities. I want to go to a top university, and although I have the grades and scores, it's hard to get the connections, internships, and other accolades you need if you're always hunched over your computer. I have also become less regular in my exercising and less healthy in my eating habits and thus gained weight/loss muscle. I'm not saying you can't play a lot of games without doing this, but after a certain point you have to possess a ton of self-control.

I'm not saying videogames are worse than TV because they aren't, but both have their advantages. I find myself a lot less engaged when I watch television and a lot easier to stop myself and get to work. Sports are amazing because you can make better friendships than online, get exercise, and "be cool," or at least do something that's socially acceptable.

For all you teens and young adults, if you are having problems with productivity, relationships, or what have you, seriously consider unplugging. Work out and socialize in your free time, I guarantee you will be happier and improve your life. Games are good in moderation, but if you're like me, it's very hard to keep them under control.


If there is an educational purpose to the game/television show then I would agree with you when you put them on the same plane as sports but if are no longer gaining anything constructive anymore from the game then you're actively playing like a zombie and there is nothing to gain anymore.
MasterOfPuppets
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
Romania6942 Posts
September 02 2012 15:32 GMT
#21
Minecraft is a pretty terrible game so I don't know what to say to the example that you picked at the start. But I do agree with your points with regards to hypocrisy. It's mostly just people's ignorance really. I see two possibilities, I'm not saying it's a dichotomy but at the momeny of writing this I can't imagine any others: either they were raised with rather strict parents who convinced them that video games are a waste of time and they never tried to discover that for themselves or they are simply too stupid to ever possibly enjoy such a thing (thinking in particular about guys/girls raised to become jock/cheerleader bimbo stereotypes, thanks to the TV). Really that's all there is to it, people who bash video games almost exclusively have no idea what they're talking about. Either that or the few games they did try were pretty poor ones (sup new call of duty titles)

On September 02 2012 22:06 mmMacks wrote:
Video games are created for the player by a well-funded group of professionals with the end goal of the player having fun, learning something, improving at something--often times all while having the user be social.

What is not to like, or respect about playing video games? I understand where the stigma comes from, but people need to know when they have a misconception.


I guess when it comes to people who are newer to the video game market, they go for the mainstream titles, many of which are actually not created with the end goal of the player having fun and learning, but with the goal of making a lot of money. (you all know what games I'm talking about). Then again they're probably the same kind of people who would dismiss a game simply because "eww it's old and it doesn't look as good as [random mainstream 2012 title here]".

On September 02 2012 23:28 russian wrote:
Don't rationalize your addiction. I'm calling it one as otherwise your oppinions shouldn't be that polarized.

There are infinite better alternatives for spending free time instead of games and you shouldn't intentinally pick bad exaples to remove some from the list. TV? While i agree 95% of what's on is garbage, you can still watch extremely high quality series (Mad Men), movies (TCM, MGM), documentaries (Through the Wormhole) and list goes on. Sports? No reason not to like it, you're probably lazy or weren't introduced to phisycal exercise by your parents. But that's no excuse. Music? Your rant didn't even make sense on this one so i won't bother. Games for storyline? No comment. How about a book?

More than 1-2 hours/day or 10-15/week playing games is bad. And with today's games you won't get the experience they're supposed to provide unless you waste a buckload of time. There's few exceptions, games that you can start, play, quit, but in most cases you don't have that luxury.


I find it incredibly ironic that your post is telling us we waste our lives while you do the absolute same thing trying to troll random people on the internet. Your attempt at trolling is bad and you should feel bad.
"my shaft scares me too" - strenx 2014
mothergoose729
Profile Joined December 2010
United States666 Posts
September 02 2012 17:09 GMT
#22
On September 02 2012 23:28 russian wrote:
Don't rationalize your addiction. I'm calling it one as otherwise your oppinions shouldn't be that polarized.

There are infinite better alternatives for spending free time instead of games and you shouldn't intentinally pick bad exaples to remove some from the list. TV? While i agree 95% of what's on is garbage, you can still watch extremely high quality series (Mad Men), movies (TCM, MGM), documentaries (Through the Wormhole) and list goes on. Sports? No reason not to like it, you're probably lazy or weren't introduced to phisycal exercise by your parents. But that's no excuse. Music? Your rant didn't even make sense on this one so i won't bother. Games for storyline? No comment. How about a book?

More than 1-2 hours/day or 10-15/week playing games is bad. And with today's games you won't get the experience they're supposed to provide unless you waste a buckload of time. There's few exceptions, games that you can start, play, quit, but in most cases you don't have that luxury.


I think you misunderstood me. I didn't say games were better than television, music, or sports. I wouldn't imply that there is any more "right" way to spend ones time at all. Your view of games, the world, and your values works for you, and I hope makes you happy and keeps you satisfied. Please don't be so arrogant as to think your view of games and the world works for me though. It is my opinion that if you are happy, and attend to your responsibilities in life, whatever you do after that (so long as it doesn't hurt anybody) is great. Live life to be happy. Also, do try to be a decent person and don't shit on other people's happiness because you don't understand it.
MasterOfPuppets
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
Romania6942 Posts
September 02 2012 17:24 GMT
#23
On September 03 2012 02:09 mothergoose729 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 02 2012 23:28 russian wrote:
Don't rationalize your addiction. I'm calling it one as otherwise your oppinions shouldn't be that polarized.

There are infinite better alternatives for spending free time instead of games and you shouldn't intentinally pick bad exaples to remove some from the list. TV? While i agree 95% of what's on is garbage, you can still watch extremely high quality series (Mad Men), movies (TCM, MGM), documentaries (Through the Wormhole) and list goes on. Sports? No reason not to like it, you're probably lazy or weren't introduced to phisycal exercise by your parents. But that's no excuse. Music? Your rant didn't even make sense on this one so i won't bother. Games for storyline? No comment. How about a book?

More than 1-2 hours/day or 10-15/week playing games is bad. And with today's games you won't get the experience they're supposed to provide unless you waste a buckload of time. There's few exceptions, games that you can start, play, quit, but in most cases you don't have that luxury.


I think you misunderstood me. I didn't say games were better than television, music, or sports. I wouldn't imply that there is any more "right" way to spend ones time at all. Your view of games, the world, and your values works for you, and I hope makes you happy and keeps you satisfied. Please don't be so arrogant as to think your view of games and the world works for me though. It is my opinion that if you are happy, and attend to your responsibilities in life, whatever you do after that (so long as it doesn't hurt anybody) is great. Live life to be happy. Also, do try to be a decent person and don't shit on other people's happiness because you don't understand it.


Don't bother, he's just trying to troll people. ._.
"my shaft scares me too" - strenx 2014
Andre
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Slovenia3523 Posts
September 02 2012 17:37 GMT
#24
You're absolutely right OP. I find it annoying as hell as well. People constantly say "no time for anything". It's like this cliche thing to say to feel better about yourself I guess.

You must gather your party before venturing forth.
Wortie
Profile Joined September 2011
Netherlands212 Posts
September 02 2012 18:11 GMT
#25
I always want to say too, that I'm busy. Only then I think about it and realise I'm busy playing games, so actually never say it. Good blog, I always feel the same if I see my parents watching tv and shit and they're like go out and have fun.
sorrowptoss
Profile Blog Joined June 2011
Canada1431 Posts
September 02 2012 19:02 GMT
#26
Solid text and arguments. You game me a different view on video games. It's true that so many people tend to think that video games are a waste of time simply because they've never really played a video game for real and they try desperately to sound smart. You're really right.
Aterons_toss
Profile Joined February 2011
Romania1275 Posts
September 02 2012 19:03 GMT
#27
If people don't want to play video games leave them alone... fewer "newcomers" means less shitty games usually.
Its actually horrible that games like minecraft attract so many people to "PC gaming", just when those tablet thingies became the standard "gaming medium" for kids and old people ( the kind that doesn't know to operate a computer ).

Why have 100 PC titles out of which 10 are designed to actually be good games and 5 of which are killed by the producer to "appeal to a larger audience" when you can have 10 new PC titles out of which 10 are designed to be good games and 9 of which actually are above decent ?
The more the people that think video games are retarded the less retards get into video gaming, isn't that a good thing !?
A good strategy means leaving your opponent room to make mistakes
Marti
Profile Joined August 2011
552 Posts
September 04 2012 02:45 GMT
#28
How about we all stop seeing video games as "interaction with something on a sceen" , and start thinking about them as games ?
Good blog
#adun giveafuck - - - "Did this guy just randomly finger me?" - Sayle
Fumanchu
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
Canada669 Posts
September 04 2012 02:54 GMT
#29
Video games are a waste of time. Unless you're one of those few people who actually make money from video games, they are a waste of time. I love video games. I play video games every day. But just because you enjoy something, just because you're doing something with your friends, doesn't mean that it isn't a waste of time. It just means that you're wasting your time together. And it's fun, it's a blast, and you can make some great memories. But it is absolutely 100% a waste of time. Unless you profit from it financially. That's not the ultimate rule in life, but it sure is with video games.
Easy doesnt fit into grownup life.
LlamaNamedOsama
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States1900 Posts
September 04 2012 03:14 GMT
#30
On September 04 2012 11:54 Fumanchu wrote:
Video games are a waste of time. Unless you're one of those few people who actually make money from video games, they are a waste of time. I love video games. I play video games every day. But just because you enjoy something, just because you're doing something with your friends, doesn't mean that it isn't a waste of time. It just means that you're wasting your time together. And it's fun, it's a blast, and you can make some great memories. But it is absolutely 100% a waste of time. Unless you profit from it financially. That's not the ultimate rule in life, but it sure is with video games.


Pretty unfortunate worldview you have if time has value to you only if you are producing monetary value. Truthfully, values exist in a tremendously far broader spectrum than cash, and "waste" is an insignificant term when considering all different types of value.
Dario Wünsch: I guess...Creator...met his maker *sunglasses*
Fumanchu
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
Canada669 Posts
September 04 2012 03:18 GMT
#31
On September 04 2012 12:14 LlamaNamedOsama wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 04 2012 11:54 Fumanchu wrote:
Video games are a waste of time. Unless you're one of those few people who actually make money from video games, they are a waste of time. I love video games. I play video games every day. But just because you enjoy something, just because you're doing something with your friends, doesn't mean that it isn't a waste of time. It just means that you're wasting your time together. And it's fun, it's a blast, and you can make some great memories. But it is absolutely 100% a waste of time. Unless you profit from it financially. That's not the ultimate rule in life, but it sure is with video games.


Pretty unfortunate worldview you have if time has value to you only if you are producing monetary value. Truthfully, values exist in a tremendously far broader spectrum than cash, and "waste" is an insignificant term when considering all different types of value.


What did the last line in my post say?
Easy doesnt fit into grownup life.
LosingID8
Profile Blog Joined December 2006
CA10828 Posts
September 04 2012 04:11 GMT
#32
i would have agreed with you just a couple years ago, but not at the present time. then again, i am definitely in a different stage of life now.
ModeratorResident K-POP Elitist
LlamaNamedOsama
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States1900 Posts
September 07 2012 00:16 GMT
#33
On September 04 2012 12:18 Fumanchu wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 04 2012 12:14 LlamaNamedOsama wrote:
On September 04 2012 11:54 Fumanchu wrote:
Video games are a waste of time. Unless you're one of those few people who actually make money from video games, they are a waste of time. I love video games. I play video games every day. But just because you enjoy something, just because you're doing something with your friends, doesn't mean that it isn't a waste of time. It just means that you're wasting your time together. And it's fun, it's a blast, and you can make some great memories. But it is absolutely 100% a waste of time. Unless you profit from it financially. That's not the ultimate rule in life, but it sure is with video games.


Pretty unfortunate worldview you have if time has value to you only if you are producing monetary value. Truthfully, values exist in a tremendously far broader spectrum than cash, and "waste" is an insignificant term when considering all different types of value.


What did the last line in my post say?


Whether it's applied to videogames or not, you're simply applying a misguided socially constructed idea of "waste." If it's hanging out, socializing and drinking with friends, what makes that any different because video games aren't involved? The mere "just because it's video games" exceptionalism doesn't hold up to any logical consistency.
Dario Wünsch: I guess...Creator...met his maker *sunglasses*
Portvilla
Profile Joined October 2012
United States42 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-10-22 10:14:13
October 22 2012 10:13 GMT
#34
On September 03 2012 00:25 StarStruck wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 02 2012 12:32 Chocolate wrote:
To be honest I used to have almost exactly the same stance as you on this: videogames aren't any worse than television or sports. But for the past couple of months, as I become more and more disenchanted with every game I own, every game I watch, I've felt like I'm outgrowing games. I made a bad habit of sitting down at my computer every day when I get home, now I have production and motivation problems. I have almost no social life because I would rather stay in my basement than go out with friends. I have little in common with everyone else because only 1/10 of the people I know play computer games a lot, only a few (who I don't like) really play anything more complex than minecraft.

Everything is healthy in moderation: I would probably be fine if I could just play for like an hour or two per day, but I just can't. Although news outlets like to sensationalize "videogame addiction," I can vouch that it isn't hard to be addicted, to lose your priorities. I want to go to a top university, and although I have the grades and scores, it's hard to get the connections, internships, and other accolades you need if you're always hunched over your computer. I have also become less regular in my exercising and less healthy in my eating habits and thus gained weight/loss muscle. I'm not saying you can't play a lot of games without doing this, but after a certain point you have to possess a ton of self-control.

I'm not saying videogames are worse than TV because they aren't, but both have their advantages. I find myself a lot less engaged when I watch television and a lot easier to stop myself and get to work. Sports are amazing because you can make better friendships than online, get exercise, and "be cool," or at least do something that's socially acceptable.

For all you teens and young adults, if you are having problems with productivity, relationships, or what have you, seriously consider unplugging. Work out and socialize in your free time, I guarantee you will be happier and improve your life. Games are good in moderation, but if you're like me, it's very hard to keep them under control.


If there is an educational purpose to the game/television show then I would agree with you when you put them on the same plane as sports but if are no longer gaining anything constructive anymore from the game then you're actively playing like a zombie and there is nothing to gain anymore.


Agreed with Chocolate 110%. The way in which I measure whether video games cause more harm than good is the situation you have been given by birthright and your work ethic. If you are in the position as you suggest you are, and anyone like you with a future ahead of them and plenty to be had out of life- I have to admit (although I love games ) that they are absolutely more destructive than productive. Their addictive nature reduces attention spans, forces you out of your social and real world responsibilities, and the lack of exercise really does have an impact. So unplugging is absolutely the best thing to do -

having said that, my final high school exams start in 10 days and I am still procrastinating like all fuck, unable to remove myself from the vicious grasp of the internet.

That is one side of the story.


The other is for those less fortunate than us- that really don't have much to their name and have been placed in a rough position in life. Instead of diminishing as a human, they flourish at the opportunity of a second life in the online world. Games for these people are completely justified, as playing them IS INDEED better than their real life.
Have you ever wondered which hurts the most: saying something and wishing you had not, or saying nothing, and wishing you had?.....and yeah all that <3 Yoona + Tiffany shit bla bla bla
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