3 ms·

I'm not much into gaming, let alone an addict, but I never got this moral superiority argument people use when bashing games. Why are "sports, going outside, da

I'm not much into gaming, let alone an addict, but I never got this moral superiority argument people use when bashing games. Why are "sports, going outside, dating, hanging out with friends" inherently better than games? Admittedly all these other things are less likely to lead to addition but that's exactly because they are less stimulating, or to put it bluntly, boring.

rtb 12y ago
Mainly because they are creative / productive, whereas gaming is passive / consuming.
- darkmighty 12y ago
  Clearly you've never played any game competitively (e.g. broodwar, cs); there are even 'creative' games in the traditional sense for that matter, where you design things (e.g. minecraft, DF, wc3,...). Most of those don't usually have the shortcircuited feedback loop that brings someone into addiction however. I disagree there's anything fundamental about gaming that's better than other activities other than the lack of exercise. Mastering a game in skill/strategy or crafting maps/mods can bring as much joy as anything else. I'd equate some games with playing music for the closest traditional perspective. I'd expect them surpass any meatspace activity actually. It's hard to compete with the limitless degrees of freedom from a game (specially when we get more inputs/sensitive feedback). And I'm not at all uncomfortable with that. Having fun is quite productive, one just has to safeguard the more longlasting joys of life, like having a successful career, family relations, etc.
Jtsummers 12y ago
Because they actually make me happy. Gaming, for me, was a way to numb myself. Like others turn to drugs or drink. I don't have anything against gaming. I just don't do it anymore.
Jtsummers 12y ago
I was on my phone before. Here's a more complete response. > that's exactly because they are less stimulating, or to put it bluntly, boring. Sports are hardly boring, at least if you enjoy the particular sport you're playing. Which isn't true for everyone, so this is one that can be dropped off a lot of people's lists. Going outside can often be stimulating, if you're open to it. I don't get to do it as much as I'd like, but camping or at least hiking is fun. I went to a friend's wedding in November in a state park. I stayed at the lodge in the park and from my window I had a fantastic view of the trees in their autumn colors, blanketing the mountains. A friend and I hiked a few miles of trails, seeing the waterfalls and river from various angles. A very memorable and enjoyable experience. My only regret is that my girlfriend couldn't make the trip, but it gives me something to show her in the future. And then there's stargazing, or catching rare or uncommon events like a lunar eclipse or a total solar eclipse. I still remember the time in high school my dad snagged a couple pairs of night vision goggles and drove us out to the middle of the desert to watch a meteor shower. That was 15 or so years ago and the memory is still strong in my mind. Dating is hardly less stimulating than games. I've, admittedly, not got much experience because, well, my 20s were wasted. But, I've never experienced this level of fear and exhilaration and happiness all rolled into one moment in anything other than dealing with someone I loved. Hanging out with friends is a broad thing. While not video games, my friends and I play boardgames, card games and tabletop RPGs. For me, I count these as distinct from video games because they require enough effort to setup and play that they can't touch the addictiveness of video games. We also go to the nearby big (hah!) city's downtown and have a good time checking out local productions of plays and art by local artists at the galleries. Eating at restaurants with interesting cuisine. All these things are stimulating, and to a variety of senses. And it's a shared experience with people I care about and that care about me, making it an emotionally satisfying experience.

rtb 12y ago

Mainly because they are creative / productive, whereas gaming is passive / consuming.

darkmighty 12y ago
Clearly you've never played any game competitively (e.g. broodwar, cs); there are even 'creative' games in the traditional sense for that matter, where you design things (e.g. minecraft, DF, wc3,...). Most of those don't usually have the shortcircuited feedback loop that brings someone into addiction however. I disagree there's anything fundamental about gaming that's better than other activities other than the lack of exercise. Mastering a game in skill/strategy or crafting maps/mods can bring as much joy as anything else. I'd equate some games with playing music for the closest traditional perspective. I'd expect them surpass any meatspace activity actually. It's hard to compete with the limitless degrees of freedom from a game (specially when we get more inputs/sensitive feedback). And I'm not at all uncomfortable with that. Having fun is quite productive, one just has to safeguard the more longlasting joys of life, like having a successful career, family relations, etc.

Jtsummers 12y ago

Because they actually make me happy. Gaming, for me, was a way to numb myself. Like others turn to drugs or drink. I don't have anything against gaming. I just don't do it anymore.

Jtsummers 12y ago

I was on my phone before. Here's a more complete response. > that's exactly because they are less stimulating, or to put it bluntly, boring. Sports are hardly boring, at least if you enjoy the particular sport you're playing. Which isn't true for everyone, so this is one that can be dropped off a lot of people's lists. Going outside can often be stimulating, if you're open to it. I don't get to do it as much as I'd like, but camping or at least hiking is fun. I went to a friend's wedding in November in a state park. I stayed at the lodge in the park and from my window I had a fantastic view of the trees in their autumn colors, blanketing the mountains. A friend and I hiked a few miles of trails, seeing the waterfalls and river from various angles. A very memorable and enjoyable experience. My only regret is that my girlfriend couldn't make the trip, but it gives me something to show her in the future. And then there's stargazing, or catching rare or uncommon events like a lunar eclipse or a total solar eclipse. I still remember the time in high school my dad snagged a couple pairs of night vision goggles and drove us out to the middle of the desert to watch a meteor shower. That was 15 or so years ago and the memory is still strong in my mind. Dating is hardly less stimulating than games. I've, admittedly, not got much experience because, well, my 20s were wasted. But, I've never experienced this level of fear and exhilaration and happiness all rolled into one moment in anything other than dealing with someone I loved. Hanging out with friends is a broad thing. While not video games, my friends and I play boardgames, card games and tabletop RPGs. For me, I count these as distinct from video games because they require enough effort to setup and play that they can't touch the addictiveness of video games. We also go to the nearby big (hah!) city's downtown and have a good time checking out local productions of plays and art by local artists at the galleries. Eating at restaurants with interesting cuisine. All these things are stimulating, and to a variety of senses. And it's a shared experience with people I care about and that care about me, making it an emotionally satisfying experience.