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"As someone who didn't grow up with computers, can someone explain the appeal of spending hours alone staring at a screen? Why would you want to be isolated in

"As someone who didn't grow up with computers, can someone explain the appeal of spending hours alone staring at a screen? Why would you want to be isolated in a dark room for extended periods tapping on a keyboard, when you can step outside and experience real-life activities with people you share a passion with? I don't think someone could pay me to spend my free time glued to a computer (well, maaaaaaybe for $9000). What's the draw? What am I missing?" See what I did there.

solardev 3y ago
It's fair, but sorry, I should've been clearer... I wouldn't want to sit there and watch this on PPV either. Or stream esports from Twitch, for that matter. It's not just the indoor/outdoor or introvert/extrovert thing. I think it's the idea of passive spectating (that you pay money for) that weirds me out. Even for the things I love, I'd much rather try to do it myself (however poorly) than pay money to watch someone else do it. Am I just really unusual in that regard?
- lupire 3y ago
  Do you also dislike reading and watching movies? Why are you reading HN instead of doing the things people are writing about? Going to a game isn't passively spectating. It's interaction with other fans, and being part of the show for the TV audience too. It's also something do out in the weather. It's a cultural artifact to observe and inspect like the Eiffel tower.
  - solardev 3y ago
    Heh, funny you mention it. I enjoy reading but I have hard time finishing anything. I have probably started a dozen books in the last year or two and finished... none of them? Same for movies, it's really hard for me to finish one instead of falling asleep or walking away. > Why are you reading HN instead of doing the things people are writing about? I'm probably one of those people who spends more time writing than reading on forums. Being longwinded like me doesn't help... sigh. But it's a way to bounce ideas back and forth between people, discuss, debate, get insulted now and then, etc :) HN is one of the more socially interactive things I do, actually. It feels like many of the IRL things I end up doing with friends are of the "let's do something individually, together" variety... like whether it's a hike or a rock climbing or karaoke or trivia games, most of it is centered around each person being in their own little world and doing their thing and only occasionally making smalltalk about nothing in particular. It's hard for me to do that for very long, vs the concentrated dose of interesting things to discuss on HN. Maybe I'm just bad at real world interactions. Good points though. Now you've got me wondering if I have some sort of adult ADD, lol. Might be worth reflecting on...
- SirMaster 3y ago
  I don’t think it’s that unusual. I don’t care to watch any sports. Neither do my parents or my sister or her husband or his brother. Some of my friends that I can think of also don’t watch any sports.
- telesilla 3y ago
  Have you actually tried it, with sympathetic friends? I also used to think I hated such things but when I went to an easy game (not on a super crowded day, not a critical game) I really enjoyed just the camaraderie. I can't handle large arenas when they are completely packed or there is too much tension in the crowd, so I'd recommend starting small and with a friendly game if you feel the same. Having said that, I found I absolutely hate watching baseball, golf and cricket (edit for reasons: not interested in drinking alcohol all day) but have grown to love sharing intense games like basketball, tennis and football with friends.
  - philwelch 3y ago
    Going to a baseball game is, in my experience, 90% an opportunity to sit outside on a nice day drinking beer and maybe 10% an opportunity to watch a game. Of course, stadium beer is fucking exorbitant.
- sadjad 3y ago
  Your perspective isn't unusual; it's a valid approach to engagement with hobbies and interests. I play a lot of Counter-Strike, but I also find lots of value in watching professional players compete. Observing pros can be incredibly insightful: it showcases the pinnacle of skill and strategy within the game (literally the same game I play), serving as both inspiration and a learning opportunity. It's fascinating to see how far one can excel in a game, providing ideas and setting benchmarks for what's possible. This blend of "active participation" and "passive spectating" offers new angles to better appreciate and understand the game. It's not just about watching (which I find pretty entertaining on its own); it's about learning and pushing the boundaries of my capabilities by observing the best in the field.
  - SirMaster 3y ago
    I play a lot of video games myself. But I don’t see the appeal of watching someone else play them. To me that seems similar to not seeing the appeal of watching sports.
- j7ake 3y ago
  Do you also attend music concrete? Or attend a conference? They are analogous. You go to watch people you admire do what they’re good at, in a crowded atmosphere.

solardev 3y ago

It's fair, but sorry, I should've been clearer... I wouldn't want to sit there and watch this on PPV either. Or stream esports from Twitch, for that matter. It's not just the indoor/outdoor or introvert/extrovert thing. I think it's the idea of passive spectating (that you pay money for) that weirds me out. Even for the things I love, I'd much rather try to do it myself (however poorly) than pay money to watch someone else do it. Am I just really unusual in that regard?

lupire 3y ago
Do you also dislike reading and watching movies? Why are you reading HN instead of doing the things people are writing about? Going to a game isn't passively spectating. It's interaction with other fans, and being part of the show for the TV audience too. It's also something do out in the weather. It's a cultural artifact to observe and inspect like the Eiffel tower.
- solardev 3y ago
  Heh, funny you mention it. I enjoy reading but I have hard time finishing anything. I have probably started a dozen books in the last year or two and finished... none of them? Same for movies, it's really hard for me to finish one instead of falling asleep or walking away. > Why are you reading HN instead of doing the things people are writing about? I'm probably one of those people who spends more time writing than reading on forums. Being longwinded like me doesn't help... sigh. But it's a way to bounce ideas back and forth between people, discuss, debate, get insulted now and then, etc :) HN is one of the more socially interactive things I do, actually. It feels like many of the IRL things I end up doing with friends are of the "let's do something individually, together" variety... like whether it's a hike or a rock climbing or karaoke or trivia games, most of it is centered around each person being in their own little world and doing their thing and only occasionally making smalltalk about nothing in particular. It's hard for me to do that for very long, vs the concentrated dose of interesting things to discuss on HN. Maybe I'm just bad at real world interactions. Good points though. Now you've got me wondering if I have some sort of adult ADD, lol. Might be worth reflecting on...
SirMaster 3y ago
I don’t think it’s that unusual. I don’t care to watch any sports. Neither do my parents or my sister or her husband or his brother. Some of my friends that I can think of also don’t watch any sports.
telesilla 3y ago
Have you actually tried it, with sympathetic friends? I also used to think I hated such things but when I went to an easy game (not on a super crowded day, not a critical game) I really enjoyed just the camaraderie. I can't handle large arenas when they are completely packed or there is too much tension in the crowd, so I'd recommend starting small and with a friendly game if you feel the same. Having said that, I found I absolutely hate watching baseball, golf and cricket (edit for reasons: not interested in drinking alcohol all day) but have grown to love sharing intense games like basketball, tennis and football with friends.
- philwelch 3y ago
  Going to a baseball game is, in my experience, 90% an opportunity to sit outside on a nice day drinking beer and maybe 10% an opportunity to watch a game. Of course, stadium beer is fucking exorbitant.
sadjad 3y ago
Your perspective isn't unusual; it's a valid approach to engagement with hobbies and interests. I play a lot of Counter-Strike, but I also find lots of value in watching professional players compete. Observing pros can be incredibly insightful: it showcases the pinnacle of skill and strategy within the game (literally the same game I play), serving as both inspiration and a learning opportunity. It's fascinating to see how far one can excel in a game, providing ideas and setting benchmarks for what's possible. This blend of "active participation" and "passive spectating" offers new angles to better appreciate and understand the game. It's not just about watching (which I find pretty entertaining on its own); it's about learning and pushing the boundaries of my capabilities by observing the best in the field.
- SirMaster 3y ago
  I play a lot of video games myself. But I don’t see the appeal of watching someone else play them. To me that seems similar to not seeing the appeal of watching sports.
j7ake 3y ago
Do you also attend music concrete? Or attend a conference? They are analogous. You go to watch people you admire do what they’re good at, in a crowded atmosphere.