4 ms·

yep, a common copout/rationalization for programmers is that videogames etc. are "educational" because your mind starts digesting tech i am a professional prog

by fat0wl 12y ago

yep, a common copout/rationalization for programmers is that videogames etc. are "educational" because your mind starts digesting tech i am a professional programmer, and see programming time as productive because it is akin to circuit-building, engineering, etc. Even video game CREATION can be that way. But playing them..... I do it, but it is the worst bit of myself -- pretty much total rubbish lazy brain stimulation, on par with TV re-runs

jimmaswell 12y ago
Depends on the game. Portal/2 definitely require some thinking and the classic Mega Man games require focus and quick reactions, for example. Not close to TV re-runs in those cases.
- Moru 12y ago
  Portal 2 isn't much better than your average quake 2 run. Doesn't involve any sort of problem solving different from any other 3D game. But the story is kinda funny at least, just like some movies.
  - jimmaswell 12y ago
    Portal: Prelude is a free mod with much harder portal puzzles if that's what you want. Portal 2 did substitute some challenge for atmosphere. I've never done Quake 2 but I know Portal 2 had at least a few good puzzles.
- fat0wl 12y ago
  agreed it involves a more active part of your brain in a way -- but i also think it suffers seriously diminishing returns. even if it involves stimulating puzzles you are still marching through a virtual "to do" list. in a way it can be less stimulating than TV, in that there is often no human element to consider that may trip your mind up. nothing more to think about than the task. i've been back into gaming for about 6 months, since work really burns me out & i cant always be active at night but im definitely not proud of it, even tho i play puzzle games. if you could just play Portal 2, Braid, w/e for a day or so then walk away it would be fine. But your brain starts getting rewired with habit. If a parent can spare their kid from that mental monotony, why not?

by fat0wl 12y ago

jimmaswell 12y ago

Depends on the game. Portal/2 definitely require some thinking and the classic Mega Man games require focus and quick reactions, for example. Not close to TV re-runs in those cases.

Moru 12y ago
Portal 2 isn't much better than your average quake 2 run. Doesn't involve any sort of problem solving different from any other 3D game. But the story is kinda funny at least, just like some movies.
- jimmaswell 12y ago
  Portal: Prelude is a free mod with much harder portal puzzles if that's what you want. Portal 2 did substitute some challenge for atmosphere. I've never done Quake 2 but I know Portal 2 had at least a few good puzzles.
fat0wl 12y ago
agreed it involves a more active part of your brain in a way -- but i also think it suffers seriously diminishing returns. even if it involves stimulating puzzles you are still marching through a virtual "to do" list. in a way it can be less stimulating than TV, in that there is often no human element to consider that may trip your mind up. nothing more to think about than the task. i've been back into gaming for about 6 months, since work really burns me out & i cant always be active at night but im definitely not proud of it, even tho i play puzzle games. if you could just play Portal 2, Braid, w/e for a day or so then walk away it would be fine. But your brain starts getting rewired with habit. If a parent can spare their kid from that mental monotony, why not?