Games & gear: Video Games, Am I wasting my life?
Viceo games a waste of time?
by Helen Marshall - 12/6/06 6:21 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeLife is full of many choices. Time is precious and not recoverable. I believe we all need time for relaxation...some sleep, some read, others watch TV, bowl, etc. The question is do you control the games or do they control you? If you find you can walk away and not resent the interruption, then you probably are okay. If it has become an obsession, then it's time to divert to some other form of activity.
I used to be addicted many years ago to a particular soap opera. I realized one day it was controlling my life (no different than a drug or any other obsession). I quit and now I rarely watch TV...however, I sometimes spend too much time on the computer instead of doing other constructive activities...investing your life in others is an eternal investment. Avoiding relationships for personal activities whether it is video games, internet surfing, TV, or sleeping can be a form of escape. Only you can make those choices. The older you get, the faster your time goes. A question I was asked years ago, "If you only had six months to live, what would you do?" (Would you play video games as frequently as you do might help answer your question for you? No one else can decide for you. Wisdom is making good choices. Blessings to you...the very fact you are asking means you are seeking wise counsel and care about your future. Fools rarely seek the opinion of others. Smile.
Moderation is the key
by gadgetlvr - 12/6/06 6:24 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeThere's nothing wrong with playing video games. People watch television, collect stamps, play card games, etc. These sedentary activities that don't allow for interaction with people are all fine......in moderation.
The problem is when playing video games becomes the sole activity outside of school or work that the individual engages in. It leads to kids getting fat annd becoming anti-social, and it leads adults to getting fatter and becoming more anti-social.
If kids aren't getting exercise and playing with other kids I blame the parents. If adults aren't- blame them. Kids need to run around and burn calories- make it fun for them; motivate them to invite their friends to come over and play outside.
Adults should exercise moderately for 30 minutes at least 3 times a week. 5-6 times a week would be better. Instead of sitting at your computer how 'bout playing a game of "horse" with your kid fatso?
Lastly, how about turning off the video game and reading a book. Pick a topic you like- it doesn't have to be the american history book that folks have recommended; read a spy novel or the sports section.
Like every other vice?
by hawk318 - 12/6/06 6:29 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeI've been an out of house game tester since the late 80's. Being a fan of FPS (1st person shooters)& RPG's (role playing games)I look at gaming like any other vice.
There a lot of things that can be harmful if some sort of self restraint isn't used. Harmful? No!
Well let me state, no more than any other thing is to someone that may be predestined to fall prey to some addiction. The games themselves are not harmful, but someone already predisposed to, lets say, violence, then prehaps they should stay away from the more violent games.
As mentioned I play many of the more popular FPS's and have done so over the years. I have no police record, I have not spent the weekends sitting atop a tower sniping innocent passerbys. Nor have I had the urge to run down the street swinging a +3 sword at charging smog breathing automomonsters!
There are some benefits as some studies have even suggested surgeons would bebefit from playing video games before sugery. Pilots are trained on what are basically huge expensive video games.
Are video games bad.... No.
It's more of an analogy of "Guns don't kill people, people kill people."
Video games aren't harmful, it's the people that use them, that make bad choices, that are 
The Keys Are Choice of Games and Moderation
by Jane in KC - 12/6/06 6:34 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeI have convinced myself that computer games help to stave off senility. Choosing and playing the right kind of games can exercise those nuerons. 
As with any other activity in our 24 hours a day, moderation is the best policy. One of the best things about computer games is that you can plop down in front of the screen and play a bit while you wait for something or someone else. Sure; that time could be used for other things - it's a choice you make. Decide what you want to fill your mind with; it's what you will become!
Its just a different form of Entertainment
by Shane.b - 12/6/06 6:48 AM In reply to: The Keys Are Choice of Games and Moderation by Jane in KC4-5 hours a week isn't bad. I'd say thats fairly healthly (speaking as someone who plays that much a day). If you were outside playing football, or baseball you wouldn't hear a word most likely. Right now video games are a demonized form of entertainment. TV is out of the limelight for a change I guess. Sitting around watching the sun glare on a pond waiting for a fish to bite is no more healthy for you. Keep it to 4-5 hours a week and your doing good. But if you find yourself after the fact wishing you could get those hours back to do something else, then you know you need to cut back. I understand its fun, believe me I do. When it creeps into interferring with those things you _need_ to do, its gone too far. Give yourself a vacation from it, and reprioritize. If your getting everything done, and not missing out on relationship or family time, then an hour of personal fun time a day isn't all that selfish.
Ying and yang
by kolber - 12/6/06 6:36 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeLike others have noted, it's about balance. I don't watch that much TV. I rarely read newspapers (other than Sunday). I should be reading more but I do still finish a book a month. So when I play video or computer games, it's just my form of entertainment that isn't any different than people watching a night of TV. But one does have to be careful about "obsessive" gaming. I've experienced it in the form of Sid Meier's Civilization games. There are limits and you have to know when to hit the "shut down" button.
"To each his own," my friend
by Rhonda Bridges - 12/6/06 6:39 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeAs some odd saying goes, what is good for the proverbial goose isn't necessarily good for the gander. Less figuratively speaking, what works for one doesn't necessarily work for others. That's the beauty of this life, which, as you know, you only get ONE life, so you might as well be happy. As long as you're not hurting anyone (this includes yourself) then it isn't anyone's problem...isn't a problem at all as a matter of fact. Just don't "hurt" yourself by staying up too late & not getting enough sleep; eating snacks or junk food so you don't have to leave the TV in order to prepare more nutritious meals & actually eat w/ utensils; & playing so much that you cancel outings w/ friends or perhaps even stop talking to real-life human beings. Even if you find yourself talking about video games the entire time, ensure you do indeed talk w/ others. Most importantly, don't forget to live, laugh, & love my friend.
peace & keep playing,
rhonda bridges
All things in moderation.
by MaryMuffin - 12/6/06 6:39 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeI am not much of a gamer, but my husband and many of my good friends are. It really is a great stress reliever for them. It just stresses me out more because I'm not very good at it. They have MUCH quicker reflexes and are more coordinated than I am (could be partially due to genetics, but, who knows). They use it as a great social time and an excuse to get together and just chill out. So, in many ways it is not a waste of time for them. However, sometimes I do have to tell him it's 3 AM and time to go home They can eat up your whole day if you're not careful.
I think you've all missed the point
by Archus - 12/6/06 6:41 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeThe question is, will it rot your brain. No. Nice try though parents. Look, much of the older generation doesn't see gaming today for what it is. They never grew up in the world we do. If I played asteroid or pac-man for 20 hrs a week, my brain would rot. Todays games are more involved, more complex, and infinitely more beneficial. Companies have hired people based on their rank in multiplayer games. Why? Because MPOG's (Multiplayer online games) teach team leading skills, asset management, large-scale personel organization, coping skills, and troubleshooting. "but my kid only plays single player games!" And? Why don't parents sit down with their kids and try to figure out some of the games they play. Don't like what your kid is playing? BUY HIM SONETHING YOU APPROVE OF!! Can we, as adults, blame the "next generation" for their lack of leadership, if we won't lead them? There are many, many things that gaming can bring to a persons life that is actually good. So cut the youth some slack. This guy cut his game time down greatly.
Now, on the other side, they are right. If your educations is suffering, get your grades up. Every job is a dead-end job, if you don't have the education you need to advance. I'd have to say that, personally speaking, there are a lot of skills you can't learn in a game that will come in handy in life. Skills such as plumbing, basic carpentry, etc. will all be necessary.
In the end, I think gaming is crucial to todays society, with companies becoming virtual behemoths and commerce itself only holding a vague physical image, however, virtual skills need to be offset with real world skills as well. Broaden your horizons, make education your priority, and no one will ever be able to say your brain is rotting. BTW, 2 things to note. 1) pro gamers makes the same kind of moeny as pro golfers. 2) I play about 12 hours a week. I'm the CIIO of one company and own 2 others. You can be a success and play games. Don't let anyone tell you differently.
Wasting your life? Depends. . .
by brandon_farris01 - 12/6/06 6:41 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeLike virtually everything related to life, very few activities are harmful IF DONE IN MODERATION. Obviously if you spend more than an hour or two every day doing games, it takes away from more productive activities. Other than Freecell or Hearts, I don't play video games at all. However, I believe, in moderation, they are actually beneficial. They improve eye-hand coordination for one thing. For us older folks (I'm 68), I believe games THAT INVOLVE A HEALTHY AMOUNT OF PROBLEM SOLVING are highly beneficial in keeping the "big A" (Altzheimers) at bay; studies show that senior citizens who stay mentally active seem to avoid getting it or get it very late.
So... play on!
RE: Gaming
by markus2773 - 12/6/06 6:47 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeI too am an avid gamer and I really don't see any problem with it so long as it doesn't interfere with your daily, everyday life such as work, school, exercise etc... If one can manage their life and enjoys gaming at healthy doses then why not? This has been a hot topic for sometime now in many circles. There's no doubt that gaming is addictive and should be taken in proper doses but on the same hand it's just sooooo much fun. I think a few hours a day is harmless. Most people watch tv for the same amount of time on a daily basis or go on the internet. There's always something that is going to occupy a persons time that is usually somewhat questionable to whether it is healthy or not. My advice, Keep your life balanced, Grades up, Get plenty of exercise and don't let gaming consume your life and play away.
Very good if you play it less than 2hrs a day
by gmnguyen - 12/6/06 6:51 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeI believe video games help improving our knowledges and problem-solving skills...but it is really bad if you play them all day long. Unfortunately, many people "fall in love" with video games and they play them all day. They do not have time to socialize. This is really bad.
Video Games, Am I wasting my life?
by johncx - 12/6/06 6:52 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeSomeone once told me - people think the competiton of a video game is the rush. Well, if you win, so what? Think about that, the hours you use playing video games could be used to; love someone, learn something that will help you enjoy life more, research a stock to make more money or sleep. So what if you win a video game - like you ever can in the first place, software is always faster than your fingers.
video games
by Clevermetal - 12/6/06 6:59 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreethe key is moderation
Video games build hand eye co-ordination and help to develop problem solving skills
but too much of anything is bad
so you must just get a ballance
20hrs a week would be too much
Wasting life, not really, it's all about balance!
by xenbb - 12/6/06 7:00 AM In reply to: Video Games, Am I wasting my life? by wjnthreeAs a 27 yr female, I love the play video games...I prefer to play on my DS because it's portable....traveling is the only time that I get to play a video game. Most of the men in my life are addicted to video games. I get kinda scared when it looks like they are addicted. Play video games, but do other things too. If you're hooked on to FF3 for DS for a month, then put it down for a month, do somthing diferent, variety is the spice of life! lol
Anyway, not to ramble, video games is not a waste of time/life, as long as you maintain a balance! and btw 4-5 hours a week is not bad at all!
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