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As a teenager and early-20-something I was video-game obsessed, dropping out of sports and university, and wondering why anyone would want to devote their life

As a teenager and early-20-something I was video-game obsessed, dropping out of sports and university, and wondering why anyone would want to devote their life to anything as pedestrian as a realistic career. At 30 I've realized how harsh and cruel the world and its people (not everyone, but many) can be, which is the primary motivation for making some big changes in my life away from video games.

Endy 10y ago
As a counterpoint: When I was 20, I had a great job and was happy with my lot in life, certain that everything was going to be okay. I was going to continue working in the public library, get the Assistant job, spin that into my MLS, and take up a Reference Librarian position. I just turned 30 last week. The bottom dropped out of my world when the budget focus shifted to a strongly anti-education agenda when I was 23. For 7 years I have floated between jobs, trying to find something that gave me even a significant fraction of the satisfaction I had at 20. The world is harsh, cruel, and unbeatable. Some days the tabletop, online, and video gaming that I do nightly is the only thing keeping me from jumping in front of a train.
- isuckatcoding 10y ago
  > only thing keeping me from jumping in front of a train. Hey man don't say that. Despite what you may think, you are valued and important. If you're feeling suicidal, Please call this hotline 1-800-273-8255.
  - Endy 10y ago
    I genuinely appreciate your concern. I still have my lifeline in gaming - both tabletop (which is social) and computer (which is antisocial). For now, I'll leave the hotline to those who have less than me and are closer to the edge. ETA: One of these days I need to find out what it takes to get a paying job with them; it seems like a service we're going to need for a very long time. And since I spend a lot of time sitting around with a computer and a phone next to me, I figure I should go see about getting paid to help people.
    - Taylor_OD 10y ago
      You dont have to be on the edge to call the hotline. Next time game night gets canceled give them a call for 20 minutes.
- wallace_f 10y ago
  Hope you feel better.

Endy 10y ago

As a counterpoint: When I was 20, I had a great job and was happy with my lot in life, certain that everything was going to be okay. I was going to continue working in the public library, get the Assistant job, spin that into my MLS, and take up a Reference Librarian position. I just turned 30 last week. The bottom dropped out of my world when the budget focus shifted to a strongly anti-education agenda when I was 23. For 7 years I have floated between jobs, trying to find something that gave me even a significant fraction of the satisfaction I had at 20. The world is harsh, cruel, and unbeatable. Some days the tabletop, online, and video gaming that I do nightly is the only thing keeping me from jumping in front of a train.

isuckatcoding 10y ago
> only thing keeping me from jumping in front of a train. Hey man don't say that. Despite what you may think, you are valued and important. If you're feeling suicidal, Please call this hotline 1-800-273-8255.
- Endy 10y ago
  I genuinely appreciate your concern. I still have my lifeline in gaming - both tabletop (which is social) and computer (which is antisocial). For now, I'll leave the hotline to those who have less than me and are closer to the edge. ETA: One of these days I need to find out what it takes to get a paying job with them; it seems like a service we're going to need for a very long time. And since I spend a lot of time sitting around with a computer and a phone next to me, I figure I should go see about getting paid to help people.
  - Taylor_OD 10y ago
    You dont have to be on the edge to call the hotline. Next time game night gets canceled give them a call for 20 minutes.
wallace_f 10y ago
Hope you feel better.