|
On October 27 2013 02:33 mishimaBeef wrote:Show nested quote +On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. I remember a book about addiction (chocolate, going to the beach, drinking, etc.) and the circuits in the brain. Haven`t read it though but seems to me certain circuit activity in your brain aligns with so-called addictions.
People really go through some double-think when it comes to this stuff.
On the one hand, we accept that the human brain is a machine and has circuits and these things determine our behavior.
On the other hand, we still want to believe that somehow the "real us" is independent of this machine and has "control" over what the circuits do. In other words, that we have free will.
People like to think that addiction removes free will, but the truth is there was no free will to begin with. Addiction only makes it very clear what factors are determining someone's behavior. In the absence of addiction there are still clearly factors determining the behavior, but they are more complex and nuanced and therefore give the appearance of autonomy or self control where there is none.
|
On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:Show nested quote +On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience.
Self-control is learned by discipline, self-discipline if your the only one to do it. There is no excuse why you can not be fully in charge of your actions. People who quit and blame "addiction" because they can't control themselves are the people I judge.
On October 27 2013 04:13 Thomas Sowell wrote:Show nested quote +On October 27 2013 02:33 mishimaBeef wrote:On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. I remember a book about addiction (chocolate, going to the beach, drinking, etc.) and the circuits in the brain. Haven`t read it though but seems to me certain circuit activity in your brain aligns with so-called addictions. People really go through some double-think when it comes to this stuff. On the one hand, we accept that the human brain is a machine and has circuits and these things determine our behavior. On the other hand, we still want to believe that somehow the "real us" is independent of this machine and has "control" over what the circuits do. In other words, that we have free will. People like to think that addiction removes free will, but the truth is there was no free will to begin with. Addiction only makes it very clear what factors are determining someone's behavior. In the absence of addiction there are still clearly factors determining the behavior, but they are more complex and nuanced and therefore give the appearance of autonomy or self control where there is none.
This is exactly opposite of what I mean. The minute you resign yourself to having absolutely no control over your life is the minute you quit and your life becomes meaningless. Your brain may be hardwired to give your a handicap. You should be grateful for that, because when you overcome your "addiction", you separate yourself from everyone who couldn't who had it easier than you. That gives your life value, that gives your the confidence to take on anything, that is what makes you successful.
|
On October 27 2013 07:24 Jisall wrote:Show nested quote +On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. Self-control is learned by discipline, self-discipline if your the only one to do it. There is no excuse why you can not be fully in charge of your actions. People who quit and blame "addiction" because they can't control themselves are the people I judge. Show nested quote +On October 27 2013 04:13 Thomas Sowell wrote:On October 27 2013 02:33 mishimaBeef wrote:On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. I remember a book about addiction (chocolate, going to the beach, drinking, etc.) and the circuits in the brain. Haven`t read it though but seems to me certain circuit activity in your brain aligns with so-called addictions. People really go through some double-think when it comes to this stuff. On the one hand, we accept that the human brain is a machine and has circuits and these things determine our behavior. On the other hand, we still want to believe that somehow the "real us" is independent of this machine and has "control" over what the circuits do. In other words, that we have free will. People like to think that addiction removes free will, but the truth is there was no free will to begin with. Addiction only makes it very clear what factors are determining someone's behavior. In the absence of addiction there are still clearly factors determining the behavior, but they are more complex and nuanced and therefore give the appearance of autonomy or self control where there is none. This is exactly opposite of what I mean. The minute you resign yourself to having absolutely no control over your life is the minute you quit and your life becomes meaningless. Your brain may be hardwired to give your a handicap. You should be grateful for that, because when you overcome your "addiction", you separate yourself from everyone who couldn't who had it easier than you. That gives your life value, that gives your the confidence to take on anything, that is what makes you successful.
You sound addicted to judging other people and proving that you have control. (mostly sarcastic)
I have no control over my life, that doesn't mean my life doesn't have purpose or meaning. I cannot control how you will read and interpret what I am saying. I cannot control my grandmothers cancer. I cannot control the government. I cannot control how women see me. I can barely control my own thoughts. I can control my second thought and my first action. And yes with discipline and introspection I may someday have slightly more control over my thoughts than that. I can have faith that things will work out even if I cannot control them. Being delusional and thinking that I run the show is completely egotistical. Humility is a good thing. And addiction is not a bad word; it just means that I have a pattern of behaviors that no longer serve me but remain as my solution to virtually all my problems, part of me has been programmed to continue the behavior anyways.
Even if I only have control over myself it still has a lot of meaning to me. Actually it makes it much easier to accept things and work on the only thing that matters, how I treat myself and the people around me.
|
1. How did he pay for his video games? If he wasn't working at 15. How the hell would he get them? If my kid was playing games and being worthless I would not support his entertainment budget.
2. His points about why people play are spot on.
|
On October 24 2013 03:32 Latrommi wrote:Show nested quote +On October 24 2013 03:19 riotjune wrote:
I prefer the term "problematic use." so you guys say that people can't actually be addicted to video games?
No more so than people can get addicted to watching Television or playing monopoly/cards.
|
On October 27 2013 07:54 Nacl(Draq) wrote:Show nested quote +On October 24 2013 03:32 Latrommi wrote:On October 24 2013 03:19 riotjune wrote:
I prefer the term "problematic use." On October 24 2013 03:29 Godwrath wrote:
Or just "growing up". so you guys say that people can't actually be addicted to video games? No more so than people can get addicted to watching Television or playing monopoly/cards.
i disagree becouse gaming does involve alot more social interaction then television and is way more acesable for people with social anxiets then something like cards.
the way how you treat games and those 2 things are compeltly diffrent.
|
On October 27 2013 07:54 Nacl(Draq) wrote:Show nested quote +On October 24 2013 03:32 Latrommi wrote:On October 24 2013 03:19 riotjune wrote:
I prefer the term "problematic use." On October 24 2013 03:29 Godwrath wrote:
Or just "growing up". so you guys say that people can't actually be addicted to video games? No more so than people can get addicted to watching Television or playing monopoly/cards.
I agree with sabas...video games can be particularly immersive. I don't think playing monopoly/cards or watching TV has the same effect, because in a video game you are directly interacting with and controlling a character. I know for a fact that a few people have died from playing video games too long; they literally forgot to eat (or drink, I forget which) and they died. People can die from overexertion in other ways too of course...but it just goes to show that the potential for video games to immerse you in the game world and lead to you forgetting some very important functions is pretty high. Whether you define it as an addiction is uncertain, but its clearly negative
|
On October 27 2013 08:29 radscorpion9 wrote:Show nested quote +On October 27 2013 07:54 Nacl(Draq) wrote:On October 24 2013 03:32 Latrommi wrote:On October 24 2013 03:19 riotjune wrote:
I prefer the term "problematic use." On October 24 2013 03:29 Godwrath wrote:
Or just "growing up". so you guys say that people can't actually be addicted to video games? No more so than people can get addicted to watching Television or playing monopoly/cards. I agree with sabas...video games can be particularly immersive. I don't think playing monopoly/cards or watching TV has the same effect, because in a video game you are directly interacting with and controlling a character. I know for a fact that a few people have died from playing video games too long; they literally forgot to eat (or drink, I forget which) and they died. People can die from overexertion in other ways too of course...but it just goes to show that the potential for video games to immerse you in the game world and lead to you forgetting some very important functions is pretty high. Whether you define it as an addiction is uncertain, but its clearly negative
Someone watches 3 seasons of a show in one day. That isn't an addiction, they absolutely always made sure they had adequate calories and water intake during that day.
A person plays black jack for 12 hours a day, sure his money is on the line so that means he has more in it but so is your skill level in video games. Monopoly was thrown in there because people have KILLED (not died doing it) others over it.
Everything has a somewhat addictive quality. Don't ignore this fact.
How many of you have watched netflix or hulu (or whatever they have where you live) for 12+ hours a day instead of studying for that test that is only a week away or brushing up on some work you need done next month.
|
On October 27 2013 08:06 sabas123 wrote:Show nested quote +On October 27 2013 07:54 Nacl(Draq) wrote:On October 24 2013 03:32 Latrommi wrote:On October 24 2013 03:19 riotjune wrote:
I prefer the term "problematic use." On October 24 2013 03:29 Godwrath wrote:
Or just "growing up". so you guys say that people can't actually be addicted to video games? No more so than people can get addicted to watching Television or playing monopoly/cards. i disagree becouse gaming does involve alot more social interaction then television and is way more acesable for people with social anxiets then something like cards. the way how you treat games and those 2 things are compeltly diffrent.
Not all addictions are socially interactive, some of them actually destroy socialization all together as one of the effects (drugs are a good example of this, hard to talk to people when you're unconscious.) There are a lot of ways something is addictive. My point was everything can be. Math to some can be addictive, it is there way of figuring out the universe and get closer to whatever it is they want to get closer to.
And people don't treat video games all that differently than television. Talk to someone about their favorite show, they'll know everything about it and act like it is the best thing ever and that they want to be in that world and explore it and they'll read fanfiction about it in order to get more of that show and spend hours and hours and hours extra reading all the behind the scenes information.
|
On October 27 2013 07:39 Wrongspeedy wrote:Show nested quote +On October 27 2013 07:24 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. Self-control is learned by discipline, self-discipline if your the only one to do it. There is no excuse why you can not be fully in charge of your actions. People who quit and blame "addiction" because they can't control themselves are the people I judge. On October 27 2013 04:13 Thomas Sowell wrote:On October 27 2013 02:33 mishimaBeef wrote:On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. I remember a book about addiction (chocolate, going to the beach, drinking, etc.) and the circuits in the brain. Haven`t read it though but seems to me certain circuit activity in your brain aligns with so-called addictions. People really go through some double-think when it comes to this stuff. On the one hand, we accept that the human brain is a machine and has circuits and these things determine our behavior. On the other hand, we still want to believe that somehow the "real us" is independent of this machine and has "control" over what the circuits do. In other words, that we have free will. People like to think that addiction removes free will, but the truth is there was no free will to begin with. Addiction only makes it very clear what factors are determining someone's behavior. In the absence of addiction there are still clearly factors determining the behavior, but they are more complex and nuanced and therefore give the appearance of autonomy or self control where there is none. This is exactly opposite of what I mean. The minute you resign yourself to having absolutely no control over your life is the minute you quit and your life becomes meaningless. Your brain may be hardwired to give your a handicap. You should be grateful for that, because when you overcome your "addiction", you separate yourself from everyone who couldn't who had it easier than you. That gives your life value, that gives your the confidence to take on anything, that is what makes you successful. You sound addicted to judging other people and proving that you have control. (mostly sarcastic) I have no control over my life, that doesn't mean my life doesn't have purpose or meaning. I cannot control how you will read and interpret what I am saying. I cannot control my grandmothers cancer. I cannot control the government. I cannot control how women see me. I can barely control my own thoughts. I can control my second thought and my first action. And yes with discipline and introspection I may someday have slightly more control over my thoughts than that. I can have faith that things will work out even if I cannot control them. Being delusional and thinking that I run the show is completely egotistical. Humility is a good thing. And addiction is not a bad word; it just means that I have a pattern of behaviors that no longer serve me but remain as my solution to virtually all my problems, part of me has been programmed to continue the behavior anyways. Even if I only have control over myself it still has a lot of meaning to me. Actually it makes it much easier to accept things and work on the only thing that matters, how I treat myself and the people around me.
Mastery over self is what I am advocating. You have influence on no-one but yourself. It is the prideful and egotistical men who believes he has power over other people. It is a weak man who believes that he has no power over himself. "Addiction" is admitting you have no power over yourself.
If you are continuing a pattern of behavior that no longer serves your goals blaming addiction instead of your lack of self-control, you are not living to your potential.
You will notice, in none of my posts have I told someone how to conduct their life. What I do is call people out on using "addiction" as an excuse.
|
On October 27 2013 08:51 Jisall wrote:Show nested quote +On October 27 2013 07:39 Wrongspeedy wrote:On October 27 2013 07:24 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. Self-control is learned by discipline, self-discipline if your the only one to do it. There is no excuse why you can not be fully in charge of your actions. People who quit and blame "addiction" because they can't control themselves are the people I judge. On October 27 2013 04:13 Thomas Sowell wrote:On October 27 2013 02:33 mishimaBeef wrote:On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. I remember a book about addiction (chocolate, going to the beach, drinking, etc.) and the circuits in the brain. Haven`t read it though but seems to me certain circuit activity in your brain aligns with so-called addictions. People really go through some double-think when it comes to this stuff. On the one hand, we accept that the human brain is a machine and has circuits and these things determine our behavior. On the other hand, we still want to believe that somehow the "real us" is independent of this machine and has "control" over what the circuits do. In other words, that we have free will. People like to think that addiction removes free will, but the truth is there was no free will to begin with. Addiction only makes it very clear what factors are determining someone's behavior. In the absence of addiction there are still clearly factors determining the behavior, but they are more complex and nuanced and therefore give the appearance of autonomy or self control where there is none. This is exactly opposite of what I mean. The minute you resign yourself to having absolutely no control over your life is the minute you quit and your life becomes meaningless. Your brain may be hardwired to give your a handicap. You should be grateful for that, because when you overcome your "addiction", you separate yourself from everyone who couldn't who had it easier than you. That gives your life value, that gives your the confidence to take on anything, that is what makes you successful. You sound addicted to judging other people and proving that you have control. (mostly sarcastic) I have no control over my life, that doesn't mean my life doesn't have purpose or meaning. I cannot control how you will read and interpret what I am saying. I cannot control my grandmothers cancer. I cannot control the government. I cannot control how women see me. I can barely control my own thoughts. I can control my second thought and my first action. And yes with discipline and introspection I may someday have slightly more control over my thoughts than that. I can have faith that things will work out even if I cannot control them. Being delusional and thinking that I run the show is completely egotistical. Humility is a good thing. And addiction is not a bad word; it just means that I have a pattern of behaviors that no longer serve me but remain as my solution to virtually all my problems, part of me has been programmed to continue the behavior anyways. Even if I only have control over myself it still has a lot of meaning to me. Actually it makes it much easier to accept things and work on the only thing that matters, how I treat myself and the people around me. Mastery over self is what I am advocating. You have influence on no-one but yourself. It is the prideful and egotistical men who believes he has power over other people. It is a weak man who believes that he has no power over himself. "Addiction" is admitting you have no power over yourself. If you are continuing a pattern of behavior that no longer serves your goals blaming addiction instead of your lack of self-control, you are not living to your potential. You will notice, in none of my posts have I told someone how to conduct their life. What I do is call people out on using "addiction" as an excuse.
addiction is a neurochemical change in your brain. once that door is opened it will always stay open, and yes mastery over self is how you stop yourself. BUT it is a never ending battle, addiction is a real physical phenomenon, and you seem to take it lightly while preaching. It is easy to see and point out the rational way to do things, but it is hard to actually BE rational. so please, get off your high horse
|
Sigh this video really reminded me of myself for the last few years. I don't think I was "addicted" per se, I just didn't know what else to do so I just played video games, eventually I suppose that became an addiction specially when I started playing WoW.
Nothing sucks more than being the one guy who doesn't know what to do with his life, at least that's my experience. I saw my old high school friends (the few I stayed in touch with) went to university and studied all kinds of things, while I was at home playing BW or WoW. Years went by and they graduated, got jobs, even got kids etc etc while I was still playing these games, it also didn't help I met people who I bonded with in these games so I felt these were my only friends and gaming was the only way to interact with them.
Eventually though I reconnected with an old friend who was just leaving his gaming days behind him, the new age of games for your mom started and blizzard got on that bandwagon faster than you can say For The Horde and made both my favorite games (SC2 and WoW) into brainless casual activities akin to farmville, I always liked to challenge myself in games so these games didn't do it for me anymore regardless of my gamer friends. I honestly think if blizzard hadn't changed these games to be casual experiences I would still be playing T_T so as much as I hate what they did to games I love, I owe blizzard a lot.
Now instead of wondering what "I'm meant to do", what "I'm good for" I just picked to go with something I have an interest in, programming and I been studying for a while, I plan on going to university next year and study CS so things are very different now. Last game I played was FTL and I played for like 3 hours? haven't touched it again since, I honestly have so much catching up to do that there isn't time for gaming, the good thing is that all those high school friends who I was jealous of are stuck with terrible jobs and a bunch of kids, while I'm free to shape the rest of my life however I want. I'm kind of happy that I went through all that crap, having less time to do everything you hoped to do in your life gives you a bigger sense of urgency and what's important and what isn't.
|
I liked how the video went to the heart of the problem and the causes of it. I wish he'd had more concrete solutions though. Haven't read through whole thread but I'm sure knee jerk reactions are inevitable. When something is useful and pleasurable to you in the short term though harmful in the long, it is easier to defend it than give it up.
|
On October 27 2013 09:35 biology]major wrote:Show nested quote +On October 27 2013 08:51 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 07:39 Wrongspeedy wrote:On October 27 2013 07:24 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. Self-control is learned by discipline, self-discipline if your the only one to do it. There is no excuse why you can not be fully in charge of your actions. People who quit and blame "addiction" because they can't control themselves are the people I judge. On October 27 2013 04:13 Thomas Sowell wrote:On October 27 2013 02:33 mishimaBeef wrote:On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. I remember a book about addiction (chocolate, going to the beach, drinking, etc.) and the circuits in the brain. Haven`t read it though but seems to me certain circuit activity in your brain aligns with so-called addictions. People really go through some double-think when it comes to this stuff. On the one hand, we accept that the human brain is a machine and has circuits and these things determine our behavior. On the other hand, we still want to believe that somehow the "real us" is independent of this machine and has "control" over what the circuits do. In other words, that we have free will. People like to think that addiction removes free will, but the truth is there was no free will to begin with. Addiction only makes it very clear what factors are determining someone's behavior. In the absence of addiction there are still clearly factors determining the behavior, but they are more complex and nuanced and therefore give the appearance of autonomy or self control where there is none. This is exactly opposite of what I mean. The minute you resign yourself to having absolutely no control over your life is the minute you quit and your life becomes meaningless. Your brain may be hardwired to give your a handicap. You should be grateful for that, because when you overcome your "addiction", you separate yourself from everyone who couldn't who had it easier than you. That gives your life value, that gives your the confidence to take on anything, that is what makes you successful. You sound addicted to judging other people and proving that you have control. (mostly sarcastic) I have no control over my life, that doesn't mean my life doesn't have purpose or meaning. I cannot control how you will read and interpret what I am saying. I cannot control my grandmothers cancer. I cannot control the government. I cannot control how women see me. I can barely control my own thoughts. I can control my second thought and my first action. And yes with discipline and introspection I may someday have slightly more control over my thoughts than that. I can have faith that things will work out even if I cannot control them. Being delusional and thinking that I run the show is completely egotistical. Humility is a good thing. And addiction is not a bad word; it just means that I have a pattern of behaviors that no longer serve me but remain as my solution to virtually all my problems, part of me has been programmed to continue the behavior anyways. Even if I only have control over myself it still has a lot of meaning to me. Actually it makes it much easier to accept things and work on the only thing that matters, how I treat myself and the people around me. Mastery over self is what I am advocating. You have influence on no-one but yourself. It is the prideful and egotistical men who believes he has power over other people. It is a weak man who believes that he has no power over himself. "Addiction" is admitting you have no power over yourself. If you are continuing a pattern of behavior that no longer serves your goals blaming addiction instead of your lack of self-control, you are not living to your potential. You will notice, in none of my posts have I told someone how to conduct their life. What I do is call people out on using "addiction" as an excuse. addiction is a neurochemical change in your brain. once that door is opened it will always stay open, and yes mastery over self is how you stop yourself. BUT it is a never ending battle, addiction is a real physical phenomenon, and you seem to take it lightly while preaching. It is easy to see and point out the rational way to do things, but it is hard to actually BE rational. so please, get off your high horse
It is hard, it is a battle. That is why so many people use "addiction" as an excuse to quit trying. Justifying quitting with science is just another excuse.
|
On October 27 2013 12:54 Jisall wrote:Show nested quote +On October 27 2013 09:35 biology]major wrote:On October 27 2013 08:51 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 07:39 Wrongspeedy wrote:On October 27 2013 07:24 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. Self-control is learned by discipline, self-discipline if your the only one to do it. There is no excuse why you can not be fully in charge of your actions. People who quit and blame "addiction" because they can't control themselves are the people I judge. On October 27 2013 04:13 Thomas Sowell wrote:On October 27 2013 02:33 mishimaBeef wrote:On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. I remember a book about addiction (chocolate, going to the beach, drinking, etc.) and the circuits in the brain. Haven`t read it though but seems to me certain circuit activity in your brain aligns with so-called addictions. People really go through some double-think when it comes to this stuff. On the one hand, we accept that the human brain is a machine and has circuits and these things determine our behavior. On the other hand, we still want to believe that somehow the "real us" is independent of this machine and has "control" over what the circuits do. In other words, that we have free will. People like to think that addiction removes free will, but the truth is there was no free will to begin with. Addiction only makes it very clear what factors are determining someone's behavior. In the absence of addiction there are still clearly factors determining the behavior, but they are more complex and nuanced and therefore give the appearance of autonomy or self control where there is none. This is exactly opposite of what I mean. The minute you resign yourself to having absolutely no control over your life is the minute you quit and your life becomes meaningless. Your brain may be hardwired to give your a handicap. You should be grateful for that, because when you overcome your "addiction", you separate yourself from everyone who couldn't who had it easier than you. That gives your life value, that gives your the confidence to take on anything, that is what makes you successful. You sound addicted to judging other people and proving that you have control. (mostly sarcastic) I have no control over my life, that doesn't mean my life doesn't have purpose or meaning. I cannot control how you will read and interpret what I am saying. I cannot control my grandmothers cancer. I cannot control the government. I cannot control how women see me. I can barely control my own thoughts. I can control my second thought and my first action. And yes with discipline and introspection I may someday have slightly more control over my thoughts than that. I can have faith that things will work out even if I cannot control them. Being delusional and thinking that I run the show is completely egotistical. Humility is a good thing. And addiction is not a bad word; it just means that I have a pattern of behaviors that no longer serve me but remain as my solution to virtually all my problems, part of me has been programmed to continue the behavior anyways. Even if I only have control over myself it still has a lot of meaning to me. Actually it makes it much easier to accept things and work on the only thing that matters, how I treat myself and the people around me. Mastery over self is what I am advocating. You have influence on no-one but yourself. It is the prideful and egotistical men who believes he has power over other people. It is a weak man who believes that he has no power over himself. "Addiction" is admitting you have no power over yourself. If you are continuing a pattern of behavior that no longer serves your goals blaming addiction instead of your lack of self-control, you are not living to your potential. You will notice, in none of my posts have I told someone how to conduct their life. What I do is call people out on using "addiction" as an excuse. addiction is a neurochemical change in your brain. once that door is opened it will always stay open, and yes mastery over self is how you stop yourself. BUT it is a never ending battle, addiction is a real physical phenomenon, and you seem to take it lightly while preaching. It is easy to see and point out the rational way to do things, but it is hard to actually BE rational. so please, get off your high horse It is hard, it is a battle. That is why so many people use "addiction" as an excuse to quit trying. Justifying quitting with science is just another excuse.
no one is saying that once you have an addiction you should just give up because lol you can't do anything. addiction is a real phenomenon that fucks with your mind, and combine that with pressures from life and you can break at any moment which is much more than a "excuse". Basically I am criticizing your inability to empathize, not so much with the point you are trying to make.
|
On October 27 2013 13:03 biology]major wrote:Show nested quote +On October 27 2013 12:54 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 09:35 biology]major wrote:On October 27 2013 08:51 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 07:39 Wrongspeedy wrote:On October 27 2013 07:24 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. Self-control is learned by discipline, self-discipline if your the only one to do it. There is no excuse why you can not be fully in charge of your actions. People who quit and blame "addiction" because they can't control themselves are the people I judge. On October 27 2013 04:13 Thomas Sowell wrote:On October 27 2013 02:33 mishimaBeef wrote:On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. I remember a book about addiction (chocolate, going to the beach, drinking, etc.) and the circuits in the brain. Haven`t read it though but seems to me certain circuit activity in your brain aligns with so-called addictions. People really go through some double-think when it comes to this stuff. On the one hand, we accept that the human brain is a machine and has circuits and these things determine our behavior. On the other hand, we still want to believe that somehow the "real us" is independent of this machine and has "control" over what the circuits do. In other words, that we have free will. People like to think that addiction removes free will, but the truth is there was no free will to begin with. Addiction only makes it very clear what factors are determining someone's behavior. In the absence of addiction there are still clearly factors determining the behavior, but they are more complex and nuanced and therefore give the appearance of autonomy or self control where there is none. This is exactly opposite of what I mean. The minute you resign yourself to having absolutely no control over your life is the minute you quit and your life becomes meaningless. Your brain may be hardwired to give your a handicap. You should be grateful for that, because when you overcome your "addiction", you separate yourself from everyone who couldn't who had it easier than you. That gives your life value, that gives your the confidence to take on anything, that is what makes you successful. You sound addicted to judging other people and proving that you have control. (mostly sarcastic) I have no control over my life, that doesn't mean my life doesn't have purpose or meaning. I cannot control how you will read and interpret what I am saying. I cannot control my grandmothers cancer. I cannot control the government. I cannot control how women see me. I can barely control my own thoughts. I can control my second thought and my first action. And yes with discipline and introspection I may someday have slightly more control over my thoughts than that. I can have faith that things will work out even if I cannot control them. Being delusional and thinking that I run the show is completely egotistical. Humility is a good thing. And addiction is not a bad word; it just means that I have a pattern of behaviors that no longer serve me but remain as my solution to virtually all my problems, part of me has been programmed to continue the behavior anyways. Even if I only have control over myself it still has a lot of meaning to me. Actually it makes it much easier to accept things and work on the only thing that matters, how I treat myself and the people around me. Mastery over self is what I am advocating. You have influence on no-one but yourself. It is the prideful and egotistical men who believes he has power over other people. It is a weak man who believes that he has no power over himself. "Addiction" is admitting you have no power over yourself. If you are continuing a pattern of behavior that no longer serves your goals blaming addiction instead of your lack of self-control, you are not living to your potential. You will notice, in none of my posts have I told someone how to conduct their life. What I do is call people out on using "addiction" as an excuse. addiction is a neurochemical change in your brain. once that door is opened it will always stay open, and yes mastery over self is how you stop yourself. BUT it is a never ending battle, addiction is a real physical phenomenon, and you seem to take it lightly while preaching. It is easy to see and point out the rational way to do things, but it is hard to actually BE rational. so please, get off your high horse It is hard, it is a battle. That is why so many people use "addiction" as an excuse to quit trying. Justifying quitting with science is just another excuse. no one is saying that once you have an addiction you should just give up because lol you can't do anything. addiction is a real phenomenon that fucks with your mind, and combine that with pressures from life and you can break at any moment which is much more than a "excuse". Basically I am criticizing your inability to empathize, not so much with the point you are trying to make.
Everyone deals with stress and pain, that doesn't make a person more special then someone else. You mistake my inability to accept an excuse with my ability to empathize. I don't pity people, thats disrespectful to them. I believe that is where the confusion is coming in.
|
On October 27 2013 13:32 Jisall wrote:Show nested quote +On October 27 2013 13:03 biology]major wrote:On October 27 2013 12:54 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 09:35 biology]major wrote:On October 27 2013 08:51 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 07:39 Wrongspeedy wrote:On October 27 2013 07:24 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. Self-control is learned by discipline, self-discipline if your the only one to do it. There is no excuse why you can not be fully in charge of your actions. People who quit and blame "addiction" because they can't control themselves are the people I judge. On October 27 2013 04:13 Thomas Sowell wrote:On October 27 2013 02:33 mishimaBeef wrote:On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:
[quote]
If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. I remember a book about addiction (chocolate, going to the beach, drinking, etc.) and the circuits in the brain. Haven`t read it though but seems to me certain circuit activity in your brain aligns with so-called addictions. People really go through some double-think when it comes to this stuff. On the one hand, we accept that the human brain is a machine and has circuits and these things determine our behavior. On the other hand, we still want to believe that somehow the "real us" is independent of this machine and has "control" over what the circuits do. In other words, that we have free will. People like to think that addiction removes free will, but the truth is there was no free will to begin with. Addiction only makes it very clear what factors are determining someone's behavior. In the absence of addiction there are still clearly factors determining the behavior, but they are more complex and nuanced and therefore give the appearance of autonomy or self control where there is none. This is exactly opposite of what I mean. The minute you resign yourself to having absolutely no control over your life is the minute you quit and your life becomes meaningless. Your brain may be hardwired to give your a handicap. You should be grateful for that, because when you overcome your "addiction", you separate yourself from everyone who couldn't who had it easier than you. That gives your life value, that gives your the confidence to take on anything, that is what makes you successful. You sound addicted to judging other people and proving that you have control. (mostly sarcastic) I have no control over my life, that doesn't mean my life doesn't have purpose or meaning. I cannot control how you will read and interpret what I am saying. I cannot control my grandmothers cancer. I cannot control the government. I cannot control how women see me. I can barely control my own thoughts. I can control my second thought and my first action. And yes with discipline and introspection I may someday have slightly more control over my thoughts than that. I can have faith that things will work out even if I cannot control them. Being delusional and thinking that I run the show is completely egotistical. Humility is a good thing. And addiction is not a bad word; it just means that I have a pattern of behaviors that no longer serve me but remain as my solution to virtually all my problems, part of me has been programmed to continue the behavior anyways. Even if I only have control over myself it still has a lot of meaning to me. Actually it makes it much easier to accept things and work on the only thing that matters, how I treat myself and the people around me. Mastery over self is what I am advocating. You have influence on no-one but yourself. It is the prideful and egotistical men who believes he has power over other people. It is a weak man who believes that he has no power over himself. "Addiction" is admitting you have no power over yourself. If you are continuing a pattern of behavior that no longer serves your goals blaming addiction instead of your lack of self-control, you are not living to your potential. You will notice, in none of my posts have I told someone how to conduct their life. What I do is call people out on using "addiction" as an excuse. addiction is a neurochemical change in your brain. once that door is opened it will always stay open, and yes mastery over self is how you stop yourself. BUT it is a never ending battle, addiction is a real physical phenomenon, and you seem to take it lightly while preaching. It is easy to see and point out the rational way to do things, but it is hard to actually BE rational. so please, get off your high horse It is hard, it is a battle. That is why so many people use "addiction" as an excuse to quit trying. Justifying quitting with science is just another excuse. no one is saying that once you have an addiction you should just give up because lol you can't do anything. addiction is a real phenomenon that fucks with your mind, and combine that with pressures from life and you can break at any moment which is much more than a "excuse". Basically I am criticizing your inability to empathize, not so much with the point you are trying to make. Everyone deals with stress and pain, that doesn't make a person more special then someone else. You mistake my inability to accept an excuse with my ability to empathize. I don't pity people, thats disrespectful to them. I believe that is where the confusion is coming in.
Screw science, what we need is harsher judgments! If only we exhibit tough enough love Johnny will see the error of his ways and turn off his Call of Duty game.
|
On October 27 2013 13:38 Thomas Sowell wrote:Show nested quote +On October 27 2013 13:32 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 13:03 biology]major wrote:On October 27 2013 12:54 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 09:35 biology]major wrote:On October 27 2013 08:51 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 07:39 Wrongspeedy wrote:On October 27 2013 07:24 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. Self-control is learned by discipline, self-discipline if your the only one to do it. There is no excuse why you can not be fully in charge of your actions. People who quit and blame "addiction" because they can't control themselves are the people I judge. On October 27 2013 04:13 Thomas Sowell wrote:On October 27 2013 02:33 mishimaBeef wrote:
[quote]
I remember a book about addiction (chocolate, going to the beach, drinking, etc.) and the circuits in the brain. Haven`t read it though but seems to me certain circuit activity in your brain aligns with so-called addictions. People really go through some double-think when it comes to this stuff. On the one hand, we accept that the human brain is a machine and has circuits and these things determine our behavior. On the other hand, we still want to believe that somehow the "real us" is independent of this machine and has "control" over what the circuits do. In other words, that we have free will. People like to think that addiction removes free will, but the truth is there was no free will to begin with. Addiction only makes it very clear what factors are determining someone's behavior. In the absence of addiction there are still clearly factors determining the behavior, but they are more complex and nuanced and therefore give the appearance of autonomy or self control where there is none. This is exactly opposite of what I mean. The minute you resign yourself to having absolutely no control over your life is the minute you quit and your life becomes meaningless. Your brain may be hardwired to give your a handicap. You should be grateful for that, because when you overcome your "addiction", you separate yourself from everyone who couldn't who had it easier than you. That gives your life value, that gives your the confidence to take on anything, that is what makes you successful. You sound addicted to judging other people and proving that you have control. (mostly sarcastic) I have no control over my life, that doesn't mean my life doesn't have purpose or meaning. I cannot control how you will read and interpret what I am saying. I cannot control my grandmothers cancer. I cannot control the government. I cannot control how women see me. I can barely control my own thoughts. I can control my second thought and my first action. And yes with discipline and introspection I may someday have slightly more control over my thoughts than that. I can have faith that things will work out even if I cannot control them. Being delusional and thinking that I run the show is completely egotistical. Humility is a good thing. And addiction is not a bad word; it just means that I have a pattern of behaviors that no longer serve me but remain as my solution to virtually all my problems, part of me has been programmed to continue the behavior anyways. Even if I only have control over myself it still has a lot of meaning to me. Actually it makes it much easier to accept things and work on the only thing that matters, how I treat myself and the people around me. Mastery over self is what I am advocating. You have influence on no-one but yourself. It is the prideful and egotistical men who believes he has power over other people. It is a weak man who believes that he has no power over himself. "Addiction" is admitting you have no power over yourself. If you are continuing a pattern of behavior that no longer serves your goals blaming addiction instead of your lack of self-control, you are not living to your potential. You will notice, in none of my posts have I told someone how to conduct their life. What I do is call people out on using "addiction" as an excuse. addiction is a neurochemical change in your brain. once that door is opened it will always stay open, and yes mastery over self is how you stop yourself. BUT it is a never ending battle, addiction is a real physical phenomenon, and you seem to take it lightly while preaching. It is easy to see and point out the rational way to do things, but it is hard to actually BE rational. so please, get off your high horse It is hard, it is a battle. That is why so many people use "addiction" as an excuse to quit trying. Justifying quitting with science is just another excuse. no one is saying that once you have an addiction you should just give up because lol you can't do anything. addiction is a real phenomenon that fucks with your mind, and combine that with pressures from life and you can break at any moment which is much more than a "excuse". Basically I am criticizing your inability to empathize, not so much with the point you are trying to make. Everyone deals with stress and pain, that doesn't make a person more special then someone else. You mistake my inability to accept an excuse with my ability to empathize. I don't pity people, thats disrespectful to them. I believe that is where the confusion is coming in. Screw science, what we need is harsher judgments! If only we exhibit tough enough love Johnny will see the error of his ways and turn off his Call of Duty game.
I think different people will respond to different approaches. For some, tough love may work. Others may benefit from seeing the cause and effect of what they're doing. But yeah ultimately help should be offered with compassion. Pity has nothing to do with it.
|
On October 27 2013 13:38 Thomas Sowell wrote:Show nested quote +On October 27 2013 13:32 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 13:03 biology]major wrote:On October 27 2013 12:54 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 09:35 biology]major wrote:On October 27 2013 08:51 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 07:39 Wrongspeedy wrote:On October 27 2013 07:24 Jisall wrote:On October 27 2013 02:11 RezJ wrote:On October 27 2013 01:54 Jisall wrote:
Addiction is an excuse. Your give away the control over your life to whatever "addicting" activity you participate in, letting you play the victim. Addiction is a medical excuse to explain a lack of self-control that allows for the proliferation and justification for your lack of self-control. If you lack self-control then it isn't an excuse, it's a real problem. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and you shouldn't judge every single addiction in the world based on your personal experience. Self-control is learned by discipline, self-discipline if your the only one to do it. There is no excuse why you can not be fully in charge of your actions. People who quit and blame "addiction" because they can't control themselves are the people I judge. On October 27 2013 04:13 Thomas Sowell wrote:On October 27 2013 02:33 mishimaBeef wrote:
[quote]
I remember a book about addiction (chocolate, going to the beach, drinking, etc.) and the circuits in the brain. Haven`t read it though but seems to me certain circuit activity in your brain aligns with so-called addictions. People really go through some double-think when it comes to this stuff. On the one hand, we accept that the human brain is a machine and has circuits and these things determine our behavior. On the other hand, we still want to believe that somehow the "real us" is independent of this machine and has "control" over what the circuits do. In other words, that we have free will. People like to think that addiction removes free will, but the truth is there was no free will to begin with. Addiction only makes it very clear what factors are determining someone's behavior. In the absence of addiction there are still clearly factors determining the behavior, but they are more complex and nuanced and therefore give the appearance of autonomy or self control where there is none. This is exactly opposite of what I mean. The minute you resign yourself to having absolutely no control over your life is the minute you quit and your life becomes meaningless. Your brain may be hardwired to give your a handicap. You should be grateful for that, because when you overcome your "addiction", you separate yourself from everyone who couldn't who had it easier than you. That gives your life value, that gives your the confidence to take on anything, that is what makes you successful. You sound addicted to judging other people and proving that you have control. (mostly sarcastic) I have no control over my life, that doesn't mean my life doesn't have purpose or meaning. I cannot control how you will read and interpret what I am saying. I cannot control my grandmothers cancer. I cannot control the government. I cannot control how women see me. I can barely control my own thoughts. I can control my second thought and my first action. And yes with discipline and introspection I may someday have slightly more control over my thoughts than that. I can have faith that things will work out even if I cannot control them. Being delusional and thinking that I run the show is completely egotistical. Humility is a good thing. And addiction is not a bad word; it just means that I have a pattern of behaviors that no longer serve me but remain as my solution to virtually all my problems, part of me has been programmed to continue the behavior anyways. Even if I only have control over myself it still has a lot of meaning to me. Actually it makes it much easier to accept things and work on the only thing that matters, how I treat myself and the people around me. Mastery over self is what I am advocating. You have influence on no-one but yourself. It is the prideful and egotistical men who believes he has power over other people. It is a weak man who believes that he has no power over himself. "Addiction" is admitting you have no power over yourself. If you are continuing a pattern of behavior that no longer serves your goals blaming addiction instead of your lack of self-control, you are not living to your potential. You will notice, in none of my posts have I told someone how to conduct their life. What I do is call people out on using "addiction" as an excuse. addiction is a neurochemical change in your brain. once that door is opened it will always stay open, and yes mastery over self is how you stop yourself. BUT it is a never ending battle, addiction is a real physical phenomenon, and you seem to take it lightly while preaching. It is easy to see and point out the rational way to do things, but it is hard to actually BE rational. so please, get off your high horse It is hard, it is a battle. That is why so many people use "addiction" as an excuse to quit trying. Justifying quitting with science is just another excuse. no one is saying that once you have an addiction you should just give up because lol you can't do anything. addiction is a real phenomenon that fucks with your mind, and combine that with pressures from life and you can break at any moment which is much more than a "excuse". Basically I am criticizing your inability to empathize, not so much with the point you are trying to make. Everyone deals with stress and pain, that doesn't make a person more special then someone else. You mistake my inability to accept an excuse with my ability to empathize. I don't pity people, thats disrespectful to them. I believe that is where the confusion is coming in. Screw science, what we need is harsher judgments! If only we exhibit tough enough love Johnny will see the error of his ways and turn off his Call of Duty game.
Calling someone out on an excuse is not judging. Expecting Johnny to take responsibility for his actions not allowing him to play the "addicted" victim is more respectful to Johnny then pitying him and allowing him to use that excuse, effectively agreeing that Johnny is not strong enough to have control over his actions (aka he is weak). Not allowing Johnny to use an excuse effectively states that Johnny is just as capable as everybody else (aka he is strong). See the difference?
In the case you presented, Johnny may see Call of Duty as a benefit to his life and his goals (maybe he wants to go pro, be the best CoD player ever idk), in which case all the power in the world to him; I support him pursuing his dreams. On the other hand if Johnny see's CoD as a detriment to his life, yet continues to play because he is "addicted", he is using an excuse.
Replace video games with any "addiction", the concept is universal.
|
I'm not familiar with the concept of "calling out," is that something humans do to see who has a bigger peen? My query at urbandictionary tells me it's meant more of as an insult.
You sound like a non-smoker who never smoked telling a smoker "Why don't you take responsibility and just quit you weak sap? I bet I can do it since I'm strong!" If you never smoked, you would never understand the craving that addiction entails and what smokers experience. Sure, quitting might be harder for some than others, but it doesn't change the fact there are a multitude of methods and resources in getting people to quit, which wouldn't exist if it were easy just to "man up" and stop smoking. People have tried taking responsibility and failed.
Same with alcohol abuse, gambling, and I can see the same potential problem with video games. These things can be enjoyed in moderation, but when one does them in such an excess it starts interfering with one's daily life, then it becomes a problem, and said problem becomes labeled as addiction/problematic use/whatever something most people don't want to be associated with. Which is hard for some people to admit they have an addiction problem in the first place, the first step to address addiction is to realize one has it and this can be difficult if one insists they "choose to drink" or "choose to play video games" even if these activities are bringing in other problems in life.
You can say the same thing with any other hobby or whatever. It's just that behind smoking, alcohol and gambling there are chemicals (nicotine, alcohol, dopamine) and chemical pathways at work in the brain that make addiction to these things easier. For video games? I don't know, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess it's also dopamine at work (same stuff used for learning). Maybe somebody with more knowledge in the field can shed more light on the matter. The fact that more children are exposed to video games at an earlier age could be a potential problem. Now if only getting math problems correct in school offer the same rush...
Anyway, this thread will probably repeat itself ad nauseam with both sides repeating their views and leave neither side convinced, and I'm fine with that. At least we have more discussion and perspectives on a matter that always kind of got gamers riled up. We're gamers after all and don't like to see gaming associated with something "bad" such as "addiction."
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT
