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I know many 90s kids that had a complete ban on video games at home, myself included. I am now pleasantly surprised that while I find many games impressive and

by djhn 2y ago

I know many 90s kids that had a complete ban on video games at home, myself included. I am now pleasantly surprised that while I find many games impressive and can appreciate them as feats of engineering, art and game design… I don’t get a level of enjoyment out of them that would risk addiction or avoiding other life responsibilities. It’s never the first or even the top tenth choice of activity to do on a day off. I may have lost out on many a great experience, but the amount of free time I’ve gained relative to many men my age is worth it to me.

kelnos 2y ago
My parents were skeptical of video games, but bought me a NES for Christmas in 1986 (or maybe it was '87?) after much begging. My memory is fuzzy about a lot of things in life (even much more recent things), but I still fondly remember spending time with friends in the neighborhood, going to each others' houses, and playing Nintendo. Through luck or nearly-unnoticeable parental restrictions, we never became addicted, and still spent plenty of time outside playing in yards, riding our bikes, and exploring the woods. These days I game occasionally, but fill most of my time with other things. I think complete bans on most things as a kid isn't the way to go, and can be harmful, even. Granted, today's social media makes me rethink that...
anal_reactor 2y ago
> I may have lost out on many a great experience, but the amount of free time I’ve gained relative to many men my age is worth it to me. Is this life or just existence?
- djhn 2y ago
  There are many ways to spend your time and money and they reward you in different ways. I can appreciate games for the feats of engineering and works of art they are same as I can appreciate wines or sports and careers with high demands on your time. I don’t judge or look down on people who enjoy games, wine, golf or hard work, but I would be ashamed of myself if I were to mash CoD, drink excessively, take training for weekend-warrior triathlons too seriously or push myself to burnout and an early grave at a startup to the detriment of my personal relationships and responsibilities as a parent. Given how widespread all of these behaviours are it’s certainly a risk, and it’s liberating to know that I’m highly unlikely to go down at least one of these paths.

by djhn 2y ago

kelnos 2y ago

My parents were skeptical of video games, but bought me a NES for Christmas in 1986 (or maybe it was '87?) after much begging. My memory is fuzzy about a lot of things in life (even much more recent things), but I still fondly remember spending time with friends in the neighborhood, going to each others' houses, and playing Nintendo. Through luck or nearly-unnoticeable parental restrictions, we never became addicted, and still spent plenty of time outside playing in yards, riding our bikes, and exploring the woods. These days I game occasionally, but fill most of my time with other things. I think complete bans on most things as a kid isn't the way to go, and can be harmful, even. Granted, today's social media makes me rethink that...

anal_reactor 2y ago

> I may have lost out on many a great experience, but the amount of free time I’ve gained relative to many men my age is worth it to me. Is this life or just existence?

djhn 2y ago
There are many ways to spend your time and money and they reward you in different ways. I can appreciate games for the feats of engineering and works of art they are same as I can appreciate wines or sports and careers with high demands on your time. I don’t judge or look down on people who enjoy games, wine, golf or hard work, but I would be ashamed of myself if I were to mash CoD, drink excessively, take training for weekend-warrior triathlons too seriously or push myself to burnout and an early grave at a startup to the detriment of my personal relationships and responsibilities as a parent. Given how widespread all of these behaviours are it’s certainly a risk, and it’s liberating to know that I’m highly unlikely to go down at least one of these paths.