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I used to think this as well, but the model of the human mind as some kind of steam machine that "builds up pressure" and needs to "let off steam" are leftovers

I used to think this as well, but the model of the human mind as some kind of steam machine that "builds up pressure" and needs to "let off steam" are leftovers from a view of psychology stemming from early industrialisation. Our language is still littered with expressions like this, which I think affects how we think the mind works. I do think video games might have an impact though, but only as a distraction. They are so compelling that other activities are crowded out, including bad ones.

meruru 8y ago
It has nothing to do with modeling the mind after steam machines. These expressions exist because of beliefs about how the mind works, not the other way around. Feelings would still get "bottled up" and you'd have to "release" them somehow, even without knowledge of steam machines. Yes, it's the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis all over again.