gaming addiction

[2eclipse]

so i originally heard this on BBC news on NPR tonight, but the news nazi's (i imagine they're a bit like tooth fairies) won't let me see their written story. so you guys get this version instead.
i would love to hear what everyone thinks of this. is it a real addiction?


http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/06/08/D8I489R80.html

Comments

[cecilialark.livejournal.com]

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.)

[2eclipse.livejournal.com]

this is an interesting perspective. i'm a gamer. mostly off the computer (i like card games, board games, kids' games and role-playing games), but a few on the computer as well. i think creating diversions for the brain is a necessary part of being human. creating games for herself is the only way eleanor of aquitaine stayed sane all those years henry had her locked in the tower. in order to be a happy human, i think you have to make it in 4 areas; work, love, play and worship. i also think that computers are great for fulfilling fantasies and trying strategies that simply would not be possible in real life. they are a good way to learn things in some situations. the military uses them for all kinds of combat training (not that i'm in favor of that). i don't think there is any shame in liking to play games.

that being said, i do think there is a limit. i'm just not sure where that limit is. we all have escapes in this world, and anyone of them can become dangerous.