Video Games Are Anti-Social and Addictive

Rabid777

Rabid777

[09] Warrior
Video games allow a person to feel as if they have accomplished something without doing anything. So you beat every Final Fantasy. Nobody really cares, except other people that have played Final Fantasy, and even they don't care that much.

A huge problem is that a lot of women are not gamers. Some are, sure, but a lot aren't. These women tend to have very little respect for in-game accomplishments. That's why a lot of gamer guys want to date a gamer girl - because she is more likely to give him the respect he doesn't deserve. I know it's not a big deal to my wife that I can build a business in Capitalism 2, a theme park in RollerCoaster Tycoon(though I did get her playing that one) or that I can build a city in Sim City 4. Every time I say "Look what I did" she reminds me that I did nothing, which is the truth.

But it does not feel that way when I am doing it. None of it is worth anything in the real world, but it feels like it's so important. So I waste time with them instead of hanging out with my family, doing work, or spending time with God or on ministry.

You may say, "But I play video games and I do all those other things too." I say to you, are you doing those things while playing video games? If so, then there is room for them in your life. Sadly, in my life, my wife is not interested and my son is not old enough. Work has it's 40 hours a week, so that's not an issue. The only thing left is God and ministry. The only way I can do ministry through video games is to play multiplayer games, so all single player games are out. And God wants me out there doing real things for real people. So even multiplayer games are out.

So my video game time really is wasted time. But I'm not going to give them up yet. I'm not ready. I'm still addicted. I want to accomplish fake things, because it's fun. One may say to me, "Entertainment is needed too, so video games are okay in moderation." But really, I could have just as much fun playing with my son, hanging out with my wife, talking to God, or doing ministry. So I'm thoroughly convinced that these games are not needed. But it's just like any other addiction... it'll eat away at me until I give in, or I get over it. I'm still giving in.
 
I never really feel any sense of accomplishment per se. Usually I want to see how the story turns out or something like that, or I want to better understand how a system works but I'm always aware that they're wasted time. The way I look at it though you're going to waste time anyhow right? I remember seeing this Renaissance painting of wine glasses and playing cards sitting next to a skull. We all have only so much time, we're all aware of our mortality yet we all play games and such to pass the time. So long as you're gaming in what really is your free time as opposed to watching tv or something I don't see a problem. For that matter I think it's great you want to get out there and help people but we all need a little time to ourselves. How much is up to the individual of course. Don't get me wrong though I'm all for you doing things that make you actually feel satisfied and approve of anyone putting down the controller if it gets them someplace they want to be.

I don't know how to feel about the anti social aspect though. I think the difference in having a girl who appreciates games and one who doesn't isn't the validation of gaming accomplishments, but in finding someone who might join in once in a while. If you share them with your friends or make friends through them they don't have to be anti social. It sounds to me like your wife just recently made you feel bad man. If that's the case my condolences. But if there's some part of you that agrees with her or thinks that you are spending too much time gaming or that it's holding you back, by all means, cut back or stop. Anytime you're doing what you don't really want to be doing you're going to be unhappy.
 
Im not exactly sure if this a post that you are trying to talk about your life, or igve us some kind of "you are all doomed" warning. I live the family life to. I have a wife 2 kids, own my own business and do it all just fine. According to my standards at least. So you were right, Someone did mention that.

are you asking for help with your "addiction" or what is it you are trying to say?

As far as "accomplishing nothing" that is determined by a certain point of view. My son is 9 years old. Since he was able to tell the difference between colors, I put a controller in his hand. I proved a theroy that games (certain types at least) greatly help develop different motor skills such as, problem solving, hand/ eye cooradnation, self confidence, etc. He is a great student, and a very well behaved kid. I get compliments all the time. To say video games accomplish nothing.......I dont see that to be true.

There is a big part of the american public that is so dependant on "entertainment" that they are truley addicted to video games, movies, TV, books or anything that will keep them from being bored. If this is how you play games then I guess you are not hurting anything, but if you are neglecting your family (even if YOU feel ou are not, you have to make sure your FAMILY doesnt feel you are neglecting them) or your ministry, then you should re-prioritze your life. It may NOT be what you are trying to say but this is what I got from reading your post...... That if we play video games for some kind of sense of self accomplishment, then we are not good people, will be unable to have a good relationship or family.

Like most things I read, I can sometimes take them out of context. I am NOT trying to start some kind of "Im right your wrong" type of argument. An intelligent disscussion to better under stand where you are coming from is all I want. But maybe you should look at this a different way. Video games can help in your job, your relationship (as you already proved by getting your wife to play sim city with you) you cant look at it as some kind of mindless entertainment. Cause If thats your perspective then, thats all you will get out of it.

to me video games are no different than books or watching TV. You read a book to see how the story will turn out. Its more of a futuristic book that you have to figure out how to get through.
 
Wow... you are so right... I've never seen it this way before... I'm totally giving up video games forever...
 
What the games are for:
Fighting Games - Mental strength, to think, social
RPGs - Story
MMO - Social (though I don't believe in this, I do think this is a waste of time)
FPS - Teamwork, social

That's how I see it. I like to play NM in SC IV cos he requires alot of thinking, researching, planning and when you play him in a match, it's challenging.
I like Persona series as an RPG because the story is intriguing and makes me think.
I play Left 4 Dead cause my friends enjoy it and it's a good time to bond and have a laugh. Yes, even the non-gamer girls. They just love to go out there and shoot some zombies.

I guess it's all a matter of perspective.
 
LyingUnderoath said:
Video games allow a person to feel as if they have accomplished something without doing anything.
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You have to play the game to beat it. That's doing something.

So you beat every Final Fantasy. Nobody really cares, except other people that have played Final Fantasy, and even they don't care that much.
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Opinion.

A huge problem is that a lot of women are not gamers. Some are, sure, but a lot aren't. These women tend to have very little respect for in-game accomplishments.
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How is that a huge problem? You don't need women to be able to play. You like games. They don't have to.

That's why a lot of gamer guys want to date a gamer girl - because she is more likely to give him the respect he doesn't deserve.
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Bigtime opinion. You don't know that. If a person knows what you're going through they can empathize. So of course you wanna be around people who share your interests.

Every time I say "Look what I did" she reminds me that I did nothing, which is the truth.
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Another opinion. She can think that.

You may say, "But I play video games and I do all those other things too." I say to you, are you doing those things while playing video games? If so, then there is room for them in your life.
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I highly doubt every time I pop in SC4 a child I could've saved will get hit by a car. It's not a big deal.

And God wants me out there doing real things for real people. So even multiplayer games are out.
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I won't go into religion so believe whatever you want there. But interacting with people even if in a game can help too. I've helped an acquaintance gain confidence in himself just by talking over a game.

One may say to me, "Entertainment is needed too, so video games are okay in moderation." But really, I could have just as much fun playing with my son, hanging out with my wife, talking to God, or doing ministry. So I'm thoroughly convinced that these games are not needed. But it's just like any other addiction... it'll eat away at me until I give in, or I get over it. I'm still giving in.
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That's up to you. However, video games are an option, not an omega. I can have as much fun watching TV as playing video games. That doesn't mean I have to give one up for the other. None of us here have wasted out time and neither have you. But if you choose to quit games then be sure it's in your best interest for what you desire.
 
Video games assist with mental development (depending on the game). Puzzle games and Fighting games are both really good ways to give your brain a workout and develop real life skills that come in handy. If you don't believe it then well... go talk to God some more. Let him know to get in contact with me when he has the time.
 
What is the talk of accomplishment? What happened to having fun? Did that shit go out of style? People who fish a lot catch fish and eat them/throw them back or whatever and nobody gives a flying fuck unless they too are fishermen. Guess what. They still have a good time, so they keep doing it.

If you have time, do what you want with it. If you don't have time, do what you have to. There were antisocial people before there were video games, now they just have something to do.

End of story.
 
I think writing about how much video games are a waste of time is more of a waste of time than actually playing them.

Why would people go to tournaments if video games were anti-social?

As for being addictive, so is crack, porn, alcohol, food, sex, glue, prescription drugs, gambling, strippers, etc. Either stay away completely, practice moderation, or don't let it develop into an addiction. If it does become one, then seek help so that you can overcome it.

As for being a waste of time, what were people going to do anyway? Build puzzles? Play sports? Spend it with family? If not video games, people would just turn to something else to waste their time on and then have other people say that they are wasting their time on said activity.

As for girl gamers, there are plenty, but what does that have to do with having a sense of accomplishment?

If you feel like you are wasting your time, then just give the games away to someone else. Solves your problem right there. Or just throw them in the trash. Or better yet, stop being weak.
 
LyingUnderoath said:
Video games allow a person to feel as if they have accomplished something without doing anything. So you beat every Final Fantasy. Nobody really cares, except other people that have played Final Fantasy, and even they don't care that much.
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What do you consider as doing anything then? I mean I can say the same for a person who accomplishes reading a novel, or a person who plays sports, sings, or draws whatever.

Nobody cares? of course there will be some who don't, but there are of course some who do? Whether it be video games, sports, art etc. they are all subjective to their tastes. Of course there also those who admire someone for trying whether it be for something they don't care much about.

LyingUnderoath said:
A huge problem is that a lot of women are not gamers. Some are, sure, but a lot aren't. These women tend to have very little respect for in-game accomplishments. That's why a lot of gamer guys want to date a gamer girl - because she is more likely to give him the respect he doesn't deserve. I know it's not a big deal to my wife that I can build a business in Capitalism 2, a theme park in RollerCoaster Tycoon(though I did get her playing that one) or that I can build a city in Sim City 4. Every time I say "Look what I did" she reminds me that I did nothing, which is the truth.
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Yet women want to be equal to guyz. There are a couple of female clans out there participating in the pro gaming business. What I know is that there are the Frag Dolls and the PMS clans who dedicate themselves to gaming, I would assume there are more female clans out there.

So it bothers you when your wife reminds you that you do nothing or shall I say contribute nothing when playing a video game. If I were you I wouldn't give a flying fuck just as long as your priorities are complete then treat yourself by playing video games, no shame in that.

Wouldn't you also remind your wife that she's contributing nothing if she were to spend too much of her time shopping for many things that are unnecessary? Like shopping for fashionable clothes, jewelery, cosmetics, hanging out with her girl friends? Or perhaps when chatting on the phone too much, or instant chatting too much?

LyingUnderoath said:
But it does not feel that way when I am doing it. None of it is worth anything in the real world, but it feels like it's so important. So I waste time with them instead of hanging out with my family, doing work, or spending time with God or on ministry.
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Alright I'm beginning to see the source of your problem but I'll try and elaborate on the next quote.

LyingUnderoath said:
You may say, "But I play video games and I do all those other things too." I say to you, are you doing those things while playing video games? If so, then there is room for them in your life. Sadly, in my life, my wife is not interested and my son is not old enough. Work has it's 40 hours a week, so that's not an issue. The only thing left is God and ministry.
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To answer your question no I don't play video games when I'm off for a bus ride to school nor when I'm at school studying and working.

I think itz about time your wife should be into why you are into video games as oppose to ugh I've got better things to do. Itz the better thing to do or perhaps the best thing to do because it involves you and your wife together and closer than ever.

LyingUnderoath said:
So my video game time really is wasted time. But I'm not going to give them up yet. I'm not ready. I'm still addicted. I want to accomplish fake things, because it's fun. One may say to me, "Entertainment is needed too, so video games are okay in moderation." But really, I could have just as much fun playing with my son, hanging out with my wife, talking to God, or doing ministry. So I'm thoroughly convinced that these games are not needed. But it's just like any other addiction... it'll eat away at me until I give in, or I get over it. I'm still giving in.
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At first I didn't understand your situation until the third quote. You're under some psychological addiction to video games and you're asking for a way out of it? I'm no psychologist/psychotherapist but I think if your wife gets more involved in your world of video games she may understand you more better than looking at video games from the surface.

I disagree that video games are anti-social although it does apply in your situation it doesn't in others because we are a competitive community where many competitors travel to different places and socialize with those of common interest.

Also I wanna mention that I came across a youtube channel about a woman psychotherapist who has two sons who are into playing video games. She wanted to understand her kids better so she got involved with what her two sons are doing. Perhaps you may seek guidance from these youtube links:

part 1:
part 2: part 3: part 4:
You may wanna check out her website which is posted on the vids.
 
What if people don't care if they could be outside saving a life? What if people don't care about God? What if people don't give a damn about being anti-social and all they want are their video games? If they didn't care about one of the three things that i just listed, your entire arguement just went out the window. Also, state facts not opinions when saying something is bad.
 
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