Originally posted by gladiatory2k This is part of the same logic blaming a big mac for making you fat....YOU made you fat, don't blame the burger, put down the milkshake and walk around the block. I personally like what MMOs have done for me. It has provided an outlet for my wife and I and we have saved a ton of cash by simply not going out. My wife used to have a gambling problem. SWG cured it. After NGE we moved on, but we still play mmos, simply because, for the price of one DVD movie, we are entertained all month, and are able to put aside a couple hundred dollars a month we would have lost at the casino. If you become addicted to a game, that's your own issue to deal with. To be honest, it is one of the least destructive addictions out there, but as in all things, you gotta know when to stop for a little bit. I think what is overlooked is some of the benefits of playing. My wife got disabled when we were rear ended by a cop. That meant she couldn't go back to work, so she would be basically shut in everyday. This drove her nuts, when one of our friends started playing SWG, I started playing and she saw the fun I was having and we got her an account. After that she was able to hang out with our friends and make new friends online. We play the same games and have a core group of friends that have all gone from SWG to CoV to WOW together. I could also see how some shut ins and disabled are able to carry out relationships and friendships, and maybe gain a little confidence when dealing with real life people. I have seen a change in some of my more bookish friends that played SWG. As in all things, you get what you put into it. if you are weak-willed enough to let the game control you, then you have some serious underlying issues, and it's probably best that you are at home and out in public.
Can you explain how you can say something is addictive and then say they have no responsibility as a company who sells the addictive product to educate and helping those who get addicted to a product they are selling?
The reason "food" cannot be addictive is you are not addicted to food but to over eating. It is classified as an eating disorder just like Bulemeia(Sp?) and anarexia(sp?). Eating disorders are treated in similar fashions as addictions to drugs or alcohol.
I mean are you saying video games are addictive? You seem to be. Then you say its harmless addiction. People are reporting lossing, jobs, wifes, families, friends, and health with the addiction to playing video games. How is that harmless?
That assumes that you are not responsible for your actions, it is the substance's fault or the game's fault or the company's fault...take some personal responsibility for your actions, losing your job, family, friends, and health to a game means there are some deep seated issues that need to be addressed. I am sick of the "it's everyone else's fault but mine" mentality. You give control of your psyche to a video game. There is a need, the company fills that need. You aren't required to go out and buy more, more, more.
You are ultimately the person responsible for your own actions. Never give that control to anyone or anything else. The simple act of giving away that control is the responsibility of the player NOT the company.
Originally posted by gladiatory2k That assumes that you are not responsible for your actions, it is the substance's fault or the game's fault or the company's fault...take some personal responsibility for your actions, losing your job, family, friends, and health to a game means there are some deep seated issues that need to be addressed. I am sick of the "it's everyone else's fault but mine" mentality. You give control of your psyche to a video game. There is a need, the company fills that need. You aren't required to go out and buy more, more, more.
I agree completely.
This whole debate reminds me of a discussion we had several times during my psychology studies in high school and college. Basically, it's well-known within psychology and sociology that there are 5 levels of human "needs." These needs can be compared to building blocks, in that you have to satisfy the lowest block first, and then the second, and so on. You can't move on to the next block until the first is satisfied.
The specific arrangement and priority of these needs is highly debatable. However, one trend remains common, and that is that when people are unable to meet a need for an extended period of time (over many years, sometimes spanning entire stages of life) they tend to skip that need, and move up the pyramid in order to compensate for what they can't find.
The most obvious example of this is the typical "gamer geek" stereotype: having met their needs for family and friends, but lacking in social skills and self-esteem, they push for higher achievement of knowledge, and turn to artificial sources for creativity, problem-solving, and morality. Also, the guy that has the really fancy sports car, which (in his mind) will help fulfill the need for friendship and sexual intimacy. There are countless other examples, most of which are common stereotypes.
I think people should be more informed about this topic, and keep these things in mind when debating the addictiveness of MMOs in general. Usually when people overuse and abuse something, it's meant to replace something that's lacking in their life. I'm sure most of you already knew this, but now you have the details.
Enjoy your game of choice, and enjoy the rest of life, too.
Comments
Can you explain how you can say something is addictive and then say they have no responsibility as a company who sells the addictive product to educate and helping those who get addicted to a product they are selling?
The reason "food" cannot be addictive is you are not addicted to food but to over eating. It is classified as an eating disorder just like Bulemeia(Sp?) and anarexia(sp?). Eating disorders are treated in similar fashions as addictions to drugs or alcohol.
I mean are you saying video games are addictive? You seem to be. Then you say its harmless addiction. People are reporting lossing, jobs, wifes, families, friends, and health with the addiction to playing video games. How is that harmless?
That assumes that you are not responsible for your actions, it is the substance's fault or the game's fault or the company's fault...take some personal responsibility for your actions, losing your job, family, friends, and health to a game means there are some deep seated issues that need to be addressed. I am sick of the "it's everyone else's fault but mine" mentality. You give control of your psyche to a video game. There is a need, the company fills that need. You aren't required to go out and buy more, more, more.
You are ultimately the person responsible for your own actions. Never give that control to anyone or anything else. The simple act of giving away that control is the responsibility of the player NOT the company.
I sometimes wonder who this morons are opps did I say moron ohhhhh Guess I did.
You want a bunch of NGE type games so you cant get addicted
Maybe the government can set new laws for us and run our life alittle more.
Blame is damn damn dangerous and a additive habit it seems.
OH I KNOW BLAME.............................YOU
I agree completely.
This whole debate reminds me of a discussion we had several times during my psychology studies in high school and college. Basically, it's well-known within psychology and sociology that there are 5 levels of human "needs." These needs can be compared to building blocks, in that you have to satisfy the lowest block first, and then the second, and so on. You can't move on to the next block until the first is satisfied.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
The specific arrangement and priority of these needs is highly debatable. However, one trend remains common, and that is that when people are unable to meet a need for an extended period of time (over many years, sometimes spanning entire stages of life) they tend to skip that need, and move up the pyramid in order to compensate for what they can't find.
The most obvious example of this is the typical "gamer geek" stereotype: having met their needs for family and friends, but lacking in social skills and self-esteem, they push for higher achievement of knowledge, and turn to artificial sources for creativity, problem-solving, and morality. Also, the guy that has the really fancy sports car, which (in his mind) will help fulfill the need for friendship and sexual intimacy. There are countless other examples, most of which are common stereotypes.
I think people should be more informed about this topic, and keep these things in mind when debating the addictiveness of MMOs in general. Usually when people overuse and abuse something, it's meant to replace something that's lacking in their life. I'm sure most of you already knew this, but now you have the details.
Enjoy your game of choice, and enjoy the rest of life, too.