4 ms·

Is a serious question? I cannot even begin to guess how it's even close to relevant.

DanBC 12y ago
Yes, it is serious. You claimed that one reason you wanted to prevent your children from playing a game was their "obsession". Children sometimes develop strong attachments to items of clothing. If a child developed a stron attachment to a jumper would you prevent them wearing it? Why is an obsession about an item of clothing different from enjoying a game?
- pbhjpbhj 12y ago
  >If a child developed a stron[g] attachment to a jumper would you prevent them wearing it? // I've prevented one of my children from wearing a favourite jumper (well, hoodie), either because it needed washing or was inappropriate. He likes to wear his hood up all the time and I require him to take it down rather than indulge his desire to not confront his surroundings - namely communicate with other people. He is like I was, afraid to initiate communication and willing to 'hide' to avoid it. But I was always far more fulfilled when I was unable to avoid other people and "forced" to make the effort to communicate; it seems the same with him. Someone said 'call obsession "passion" and see how it fits now'. Would you call staying up all night, missing work, feeling terrible, ruining your sleep patterns "passion". That's more akin to addiction: I've been on a Minecraft binge recently. My analysis is that it allows me to escape the real world and control my interactions; it's definitely escapism for me. Yes, Minecraft has a lot of potential educational value but I'm very cautious as my personal history with computer games - and other things - has been one of unhealthy obsession. Veg out with the computer? Well I'll allow that for a short time but to me real world interaction is also far more valuable; I can appreciate the position that sdegustis appears to be presenting. I'll let my kids play for an extended time on the computer/console with a friend, for example, but not by themselves. It's interesting that the reactions here are similar to the reactions we had when we quit having a television. We have reneged, we now have non-broadcast TV: in part I see that as a failure. I notice you've set noprocrast on ... a little like denying a child a favourite thing for a while ...?! /slightly drunken early morning comment
  - eru 12y ago
    Why did you renege on TV?
    - pbhjpbhj 12y ago
      Not enough financial resources to do things for ourselves, like engage with new tech, do outdoor pursuits and so on. Living vicariously through others on TV is something we can afford. Lack of energy and focus in our parenting. Probably some social pressure is in there too; certainly being able to talk to people about something in the mass media eases social interactions. Childcare availability - we don't live near family that could watch the kids whilst we go out. Also passively consuming is easier than actively participating; general poor motivation [on my part]. That would be my surface analysis.
- sdegutis 12y ago
  I'm talking about a very different kind of obsession. Not the kind where they adamantly refuse to let go of a material possession, although that's bad too. I'm talking about the kind where their mind is held captive for months on end, not free to react to the world around them properly. Sweaters don't do this. Minecraft has.

DanBC 12y ago

Yes, it is serious. You claimed that one reason you wanted to prevent your children from playing a game was their "obsession". Children sometimes develop strong attachments to items of clothing. If a child developed a stron attachment to a jumper would you prevent them wearing it? Why is an obsession about an item of clothing different from enjoying a game?

pbhjpbhj 12y ago
>If a child developed a stron[g] attachment to a jumper would you prevent them wearing it? // I've prevented one of my children from wearing a favourite jumper (well, hoodie), either because it needed washing or was inappropriate. He likes to wear his hood up all the time and I require him to take it down rather than indulge his desire to not confront his surroundings - namely communicate with other people. He is like I was, afraid to initiate communication and willing to 'hide' to avoid it. But I was always far more fulfilled when I was unable to avoid other people and "forced" to make the effort to communicate; it seems the same with him. Someone said 'call obsession "passion" and see how it fits now'. Would you call staying up all night, missing work, feeling terrible, ruining your sleep patterns "passion". That's more akin to addiction: I've been on a Minecraft binge recently. My analysis is that it allows me to escape the real world and control my interactions; it's definitely escapism for me. Yes, Minecraft has a lot of potential educational value but I'm very cautious as my personal history with computer games - and other things - has been one of unhealthy obsession. Veg out with the computer? Well I'll allow that for a short time but to me real world interaction is also far more valuable; I can appreciate the position that sdegustis appears to be presenting. I'll let my kids play for an extended time on the computer/console with a friend, for example, but not by themselves. It's interesting that the reactions here are similar to the reactions we had when we quit having a television. We have reneged, we now have non-broadcast TV: in part I see that as a failure. I notice you've set noprocrast on ... a little like denying a child a favourite thing for a while ...?! /slightly drunken early morning comment
- eru 12y ago
  Why did you renege on TV?
  - pbhjpbhj 12y ago
    Not enough financial resources to do things for ourselves, like engage with new tech, do outdoor pursuits and so on. Living vicariously through others on TV is something we can afford. Lack of energy and focus in our parenting. Probably some social pressure is in there too; certainly being able to talk to people about something in the mass media eases social interactions. Childcare availability - we don't live near family that could watch the kids whilst we go out. Also passively consuming is easier than actively participating; general poor motivation [on my part]. That would be my surface analysis.
sdegutis 12y ago
I'm talking about a very different kind of obsession. Not the kind where they adamantly refuse to let go of a material possession, although that's bad too. I'm talking about the kind where their mind is held captive for months on end, not free to react to the world around them properly. Sweaters don't do this. Minecraft has.