I know I've seen other journalism things on "game addiction" before. I don't know how much I buy into it, but then again anything in over-excess can become an addiction (anytime someone gets defensive about it and says, "I control ____________, ____________ doesn't control me, biiiaaatch!" you know that there is some addiction going on).
It seems weird that there would be a clinic JUST for that though. Does gambling count as "gaming"?
A friend once gave me this great point (after I had bought Sims to try playing that):
"If you are taking up all this time to play a game and create a persona that isn't real, are you really happy? I mean, you're not actually doing the things that you're pretending to do thanks to a good game programmer. Why not actually do the things your RPG is doing in real life and get the true satisfaction? It might be a bit scarier, but the rewards would be worth it. Instead of points, you'd be getting a well-lived life and that sounds a hell of a lot better."
I immediately sold my Sims game. I think he put it a lot better than I did, but damn, if that boy didn't make some serious sense.
I know tons of folks who live their lives with relationships solely based via computer, internet or game/fantasy. When you actually talk to them, they aren't happy. Maybe they could be if they had some real-time, real-life interpersonal connections.
Meanwhile, if it's just the clinic and addiction thing that tweaks your nose, I'm left with one serious question: Where in the hell are the clinics for fiber addicts? Because I know that I'm addicted to yarn and fibers. (Then again, at least I see and talk to people in order to feed the addiction and enjoy it.)
(no subject)
Date: 2006-07-18 04:52 pm (UTC)It seems weird that there would be a clinic JUST for that though. Does gambling count as "gaming"?
A friend once gave me this great point (after I had bought Sims to try playing that):
"If you are taking up all this time to play a game and create a persona that isn't real, are you really happy? I mean, you're not actually doing the things that you're pretending to do thanks to a good game programmer. Why not actually do the things your RPG is doing in real life and get the true satisfaction? It might be a bit scarier, but the rewards would be worth it. Instead of points, you'd be getting a well-lived life and that sounds a hell of a lot better."
I immediately sold my Sims game. I think he put it a lot better than I did, but damn, if that boy didn't make some serious sense.
I know tons of folks who live their lives with relationships solely based via computer, internet or game/fantasy. When you actually talk to them, they aren't happy. Maybe they could be if they had some real-time, real-life interpersonal connections.
Meanwhile, if it's just the clinic and addiction thing that tweaks your nose, I'm left with one serious question: Where in the hell are the clinics for fiber addicts? Because I know that I'm addicted to yarn and fibers. (Then again, at least I see and talk to people in order to feed the addiction and enjoy it.)