Games & gear: Video Games, Am I wasting my life?
Yes, you could be wasting your life.
by bigpoet - 12/5/06 11:36 PM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeThe creator placed you on earth for a purpose. That purpose wasn't to play games. Having fun is fine in moderation. But too much could keep you from discovering and attaining your potential. You should also realize that games are intentionally created to be addictive. Prolonged and repeated gaming can also make a kid lazy and inattentive. video games overstimulate the senses. So after playing, nothing else gives you the stimulation and excitement you yearn for. Look around you in school, many of the kids who game a lot get bored when the history teacher starts talking--they can't take it. They also may be more likely to slack off on stuff they don't care about. They may have trouble meeting teacher's requirements. Etc.
If you didn't play any more video games, what would be different in your life? Go without them for one month, and see. You'll end up talking to your parents more, reading books, being human, playing sports.
wasting your life? Aren't we all, to an extent?
by Gerdd - 12/5/06 11:38 PM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeOkay, personally, I can't get excited over the video games I see around these days. For me personally they do seem like wasting my time.
BUT!!
Playing cards, playing Solitaire on the computer or with real cards, playing Sudoku like I do occasionally, sitting in congested commuter traffic, going for a walk, running a marathon - all of these are seen as a waste of time by someone or other. I have decided for myself that my brain has a need for an occasional run in "idle". Like the man said: "Sometimes I just sit and think - and then, sometimes I just sit."
Five hours a week don't seem too much for this to me. Much more than that could take on the appearance of an addiction, like many others (internet, shopping, gambling, chocolate, booze ...)
I suppose, the comeback to your parents, who are just possibly a bit overbearingly puristic, should include a reference to your accomplishments - and I don't mean "I reached level six in only 28 hours", if you get the idea. But if you put in good work in school or at your job, then no-one can tell you to "get a life".
So that is my spin on your question: Do you have "a life" - beyond the games? Then you don't have anything to worry about. By the way, most people "waste time" somewhere or other - I believe that is because we all have the need to "idle" sometimes. Think about what your parents do to "waste time" and then discuss that with them as an example - but be sure not to be offensive about it. No point in accusing them; you just want to make them think a bit and maybe be a bit more relaxed and tolerant. And, no, I wouldn't discuss the benefits like eye-hand coordination; it could sound like you don't understand people that get the same effect from knitting or writing books (with a pen or a keyboard, it makes little difference). And, oh yes, like the most people outside of the US I don't see much of a need for the type of coordination that makes me effective at bumping off people, sniper style. But that is possibly getting me too far off-topic ...
Time will tell
by hfhlt004 - 12/5/06 11:54 PM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeThey probably increase manual dexterity, making you better at the manual labor market.
Are you wasting your time playing video games
by taztweety02 - 12/5/06 11:59 PM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeWell you asked for an opinion about time being wasted on playing video games;here goes. I think as long as you have done everything that is required of you and you don't feel too guilty I say keep playing. I enjoy playing games as well and it helps me be a better person and more relaxed and pleasant to be around.If you feel that other people run your life and tell you that its a"waste of time" and you agree then stop playing. If not continue to play. I mean who or what does it hurt if you play games? As long as no one is being neglected and you do your job and such I would not worry about it. Good luck!
"Heroin Addict" is a Healthier lifestyle
by ianwjensen - 12/6/06 12:08 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeIf you aren't already, video games will make you overweight, soft all over, your stomach lose shape from being too relaxed, a hump will grow on your upper back from being hunched over, your eyes will be red, you'll have a flat ass from sitting down all the time, and you will lose all your friends and any hope you had for a sex life because you'll be completing "quests" instead of having a life or sexual relations for that matter.
On the other hand in the early days of computer games you had to reconfigure your computer just to play the stupid game. This leads to trouble-shooting abilities and some technical knowledge. You could even translate it into game design or something cool like that. Then you'll be popular and make some money thus regaining a possible sex life again. Or you could focus on Leisure suit Larry. At least you can play games while fooling yourself into having a life.
If I didn't waste my 20's playing computer games, I would have been so much further in a career by now making large amounts of money and playing the game of life. If your going to play them, REGULATE IT to small amounds. OH - and only play computer games, not console games. Console games do nothing for your intelligence.
At least Heroin addicts are thin.
There's no easy answer to this question!
by meloc - 12/6/06 12:13 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeI hold to the adage that most things in moderation are healthy; the key being moderation. Everyone needs a little leisure time, and any sort of game can certainly be a nice way to spend that leisure time - whether it's crossword puzzles, board games, or video games. The problem comes if the leisure time and/or the activity becomes excessive. Are you neglecting work/school/homework? Are you neglecting relationships with real people who are important in your life? Are you playing games to the exclusion of nearly everything else, and do you constantly think about the next time you can get your "fix" when you're not playing? If so, you're probably playing too much.
I don't personally play video games, but I do like my leisure time for other things, and my husband and kids play xbox, pc, and gameboy games, so we do deal with this issue some. The way I know when they are playing too much is that they start giving indications that the game is more important than human beings (for instance, they may ignore a very important telephone message because they "have to get to the next level", nevermind that the caller is needing some kind of help). In the same way, my family can tell when I'm scrapbooking too much because the house is a mess and there's no dinner. To me, 4-5 hours a week sounds reasonable, but perhaps in other situations that isn't workable. It depends on what's going on in your life.
You may want to talk with your folks about what constitutes a reasonable amount of time, and work out some indicators and guidelines, such as, " as long as my school work and chores are done and I'm getting to bed by a certain time, I'm free to spend the evening playing a game, but if I start pushing it to playing til 3 or 4 in the morning, it's time to back off."
Here are my thoughts..
by BlazeEagle - 12/6/06 12:37 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeI'd have your parent's read this too:
http://ezinearticles.com/?id=369035
Firstly, I'm a gamer and I graduated from High Scool several years ago. Due to a disability, I'll be looking into online schooling relatively soon as long as my situation permits.
I say no they are not a waste of time. Yes, like anything else, spending every hour of every day playing video games is a waste, but having a healthily interest in video games is not a waste, especially with the way these games are advancing and progressing nowadays.
In a way, video games are just like sports and should not be shunned like they still are to a certain extent today.
Now, having a good education is always an excellent idea and education is always very important, but people need to avoid turning into an education obsessed snob.
Games making people violent is a silly, worn out theory when used in a broad sense. Violent games are essentially the same as violent TV shows and movies. Yes, I do think a violent video game can make a severely UNSTABLE person violent, especially if a child is exposed to them at an early, impressionable age and stage of development.
But, if a video game makes a stable, reasonably decent person go on a killing spree, then that person has deep rooted issues that a violent game acts as a trigger for a persons violent tendencies.
I agree with "Brianstech"'s post.
Several posters have made excellent points about video games that I agree with. Essentially, these games are fine when kept in moderation. 4-5 hours a week sounds like a VERY reasonable amount of game time, so I wouldn't worry too much as it seems you have moderation with games.
In ending, I'm pleasantly surprised with all the positive replies you have gotten. This subject made me cringe at first, but all the positive replies showed me that people are using their brains
Also, as long as you get a good education and hold a decent, steady job, I don't see a problem. Plus, not everyone is a social magnet.
Old gamer here. Been playing games for 15 years
by georgemark - 12/6/06 12:56 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeI've been playing videogames since I was 12, owned consoles ranging from Atari 2600 NES SNES Game Gear, Mega Drive, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance PS2, and now a DS
I usually play on weekdays at night before I go to bed for about 2-3 hours (unless there is something better to do like go out and have a drink).
My grades weren't slipping (infact I had particulardly good grades in chemistry maths and history)
At the age of 18 I went to University taking my GBA with me, and yet I finished with a First with Honours grade on my diploma.
Bottom line videogames didn't fry my brain, didn't infringe on my study time, didn't make me stupid (I could even mention my IQ here when I took an IQ test )
Ok before anyone jumps up and down screaming that I am advertising myself I guess what I am trying to say here is that video games although they are a favourite pass time of mine, have had little effect on my academic and mental progress/developement.
Mainly because it is something I do on my spare time.
Bottom line.
If you regard games as a hobby (like anyother mentally non stimulating hobby such as playing football) then you have nothing to fear
If however you think of games as a modus vivendi (like a dumb jock bases his life on football), then yes they can be a problem
Cheers
These are foothills. You can see mountains from here.
by Dubina - 12/6/06 1:02 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeGames develope gamesmanship, which means different things to different people. That said, most games are mostly timekillers with no redeming virtues. Someday soon, people will produce things that act like games but steer people through more virtuous realms of experience. Spore sounds like one of those, even though it's set on alien worlds.
Game developers increasingly have the means to expand the narrowness of human consciousness. That sounds pretentious, but it's going to be a big deal.
Hehe I play all the f...ing time
by dishymars - 12/6/06 1:06 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeDon't give me any **** about video games, they're the best thing since tv came out.
Its true you have to find the right game and you have to have the right system, they are just like anything, and very few of them are any good. But the right game is like a gold mine, incredible to behold and get drawn into.
Important to draw the line
by dishymars - 12/6/06 1:29 AM In reply to: Hehe I play all the f...ing time by dishymarsI think its important to draw the line between what you enjoy doing and when people are just trying to steal your energy.
TO ME, people who cannot enjoy a video game are a bit of a dullard, usually lacking imagination, and creativity, usually they are the ones who also can't keep you entertained in a conversation.
Technology is leading us to new heights... go with the flow. Like anything, the mainstream isn't going to be so good, you have to dig deeper to find the quality.
All about balance and proportion.............
by scottbeck - 12/6/06 1:31 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthree(From an aged parent!)
Provided you are doing other things, achieving in your school work and socialising with friends (and your parents!) the time you are spending on video games is not unreasonable. Life is about balance, video games are part of the modern world and are not going to go away. They are enjoyable (I'm probably at least as old as your parents and I love playing them - but then I have been in IT for well, let's say way before the PC was invented!) and enjoying yourself is not wrong. They can also help with reaction times, attentiveness and even thinking (if they are strategy games rather than just shoot 'em up (but those have their place too!).
Maybe your parents are not "into" computers, games consoles etc? How much time to they spend using their PCs (if they have them) or online? There are some people who just do not "get" the fun, interest etc. in PCs, the web - perhaps your parents are amongst them? That is not wrong either - odd though it may seem to some of us! If that is the case perhaps if you spent a little time with them explaining and demonstrating what can be done online that would achieve 2 things. It might help them understand that you are coming to no harm and it might educate them a little to - as well as providing useful family interaction.
It may just be that their REAL complaint is that they would like to spend time with you and see your console/PC as "the enemy" in that context?
Play is a necessary part of life!
by LynnDeBolt - 12/6/06 1:39 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeYou know, when I saw my son spending a lot of time playing online games, I thought he was wasting his time ... UNTIL he finally convinced me to try one. Yes, you can get "hooked" to the point you don't do much else, BUT if you are wise in managing your online time wtih real life pursuits, gaming can provide many benefits!
Most games have some degree of strategy, planning the direction you wish to go with your character, and often involve cooperative play with other gamers. While many parents do not see the benefits, I learned to see them by watching my son - then by participation myself. Communication skills can be learned or enhanced through gameplay. People skills also can be enhanced - after all, behind every character is another human being! Setting and achieving goals is essential in character development. All of these skills can transfer to the real world as well.
While many games out there now ARE merely mindless violence, the vast majority are not. Always remember to prioritize what is truly important - and have a balance between real life, and the fantasy life within the game world. Never brush off real life friends for online gameplay - or one day you will find yourself truly alone. My grandfather had a small sign on his desk. It stated very simply, "We do not stop playing because we grow old ... We grow old because we stop playing!" Some of the oldest people I know (in thought and attitude) do NOT play any more - stating "play is for children". Well, if play IS for children, I am staying in touch with my "inner child" ... count me in!
Staying young playing games
by digitalMuse13 - 12/6/06 2:08 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeI'm 68 years old and spend much of my time playing games on my PC. I find it keeps me sharp and is good foe eye hand coordination. My mother, who played games on her old Apple computer was sharp as a tack til the day she died 20 years after retiring.
Games are a pleasant diversion just like watching a movie.
by Croc_52 - 12/6/06 2:08 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeI am into my 40s now and still gaming strong on my PC. Over the years I've played many dozens of wonderful, exciting, challenging and even frightening games. I like the strong franchises like Tomb Raider, Half Life, Doom, Quake, Unreal, etc. I even enjoy the peaceful and immersive puzzle games like Myst and Riven. I spent 18 years as an Operations Manager with a global IT company before leaving that to be a firefighter. You be the judge, I think I made out pretty well in life despite my love of video games. I don't play or condone games that promote shooting cops or killing people just for kicks. In the same way I don't condone pornographic or overly violent movies. It's up to the individual what they view or play, the medium itself is not to blame. The way I describe my love of games is stating that it is just like watching a movie except you're not just an outside observer, you get sucked through the glass and are an active participant..... much better than simply watching.
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