Quote (Taurean @ Aug 18 2022 11:03pm)
I realize this is a very complex question. Let's use psychology.
At least it gives some purpose, and also practice of the braincells, for rejects and victims of psychopaths in school and elsewhere. The best thing would be for them to get help and the bullies to be evicted (and preferably helped). But as society is as it is, poor and middle class are sifted through the school system only to be come working bees for the rich, and the government. They don't care if someone is bullied to death.
Back in the day, rejects were most likely hounded to insanity by governmental institutions. Today, and back to 20-30 years ago, at least they could use games to have something to keep confidence.
I don't view video games any different than chess. In Norway, we have Magnus Carlsen .. he is being revered as a national hero in the mass media .. yet children and youth that spend a lot of time gaming, are viewed and revered as rejects. The world health organization has acknowledged gaming as a disorder. Why isn't chess viewed the same way? Because when someone makes money on something, that is everything that makes a difference to the government. That is pretty sick. It is the same with gaming though; As long as someone manages to make money on it, they are left to their own device. Which i personally think is equally absurd. The point here is, gamers are getting a lot of unfair negative stigmatization. It is a hobby equal to any other.
But, let's say this .. back in the day, many that may have lead "normal" lives . i.e. gotten a job and been happy with that, in today's society, may spend more time gaming than staying happy with a job... evolving constructive skills, and leading a normal family life.
I simply wonder if gaming has given victims more freedom and thus better mental health, and if this weighs more positive to the entire humanity than people developing gaming "addiction" and thus losing out on life's other opportunities.
What is your verdict?
You mix up symptoms with the real problem at hand. Any kind of of addiction (not just gaming) is caused by too much consumption of the same thing. You eat too much sweets => obese, you game too much => real life loser etc. Even before the age of video games, there were alcohol, gambling and other kind of addicts, hell even sex addicts (also harmful). So what did change? Parents are working more and have less time for their kids. Real parenting is nonexistent. You learn from your parents how to behave, not to consume too much, get stimulus to develop as a person. Schools or other forms of institutional education cannot replace parents because they don't have as much power and authority over kids. Then you also have mainstream progressive parenting where parents are mostly on friendly terms with the kinds. Parents are no friends for the kids.
This post was edited by babun1024 on Aug 19 2022 02:43am