Why is it that all the vocal opponents to video games patently ignore the HUGE similarities between reading and watching TV/gaming?
If you're reading, you're apparently broadening your mind, learning, becoming smarter, etcetera.
If you're gaming, you're apparently indulging in a fucked up, socially damaging activity that is the cause of all societies ills and will eventually lead to our downfall.
Truth of the matter is, wether you're reading or gaming, you're still sitting on your ass, NOT burning calories and immersing yourself in a world that may or may not be based on
Feel free to comment if you wish.
The novel was considered in the same way as computer games today when they first came out.
Once the game-playing generation takes over it'll be seen as normal. It's innevitable, now.
Is this about weight loss? I can exercise while reading A Taste of Black Berries or play my PsP, so I don
Herr Mullen Wrote:The novel was considered in the same way as computer games today when they first came out.
Right, but the thing is how every ignores how similar the two really are. Your metabolism is totally asleep while doing either, reading is LESS social than gaming because it's not like you can read a book with someone since you'll never read at the same pace as anyone else. They're never co-operative or competitive. Just books. Nothing more or less.
EpsilonZX Wrote:Also, I have two MAJOR counter points to this argument
I'm not realy arguiing anything. I'm just pointing out how society has serious issues with one thing, when there's another thing that people are
encouraged to do which is very much the same. It's rather paradoxical, you must admit.
yes but once you relize 90% of sociaty is nothing but idiots it all makes sence
I kinda see what you mean. a lot of people say playing violent video games as a kid will mean you grow up to be a violent adult, and might kill people and all that. Everyone here has probably heard something similar to that about video games. What about reading violent books? Couldn't they have the same affect?
I dunno...but is that kinda what you meant, Senj? or am I totally off-track here?
Uhm, What if you do them both like what I do? What if you do those while eating a bag of potato chips while on the threadmill?
DrunkenMunkee Wrote:What about reading violent books? Couldn't they have the same affect?
I've heard that the chap who killed JFK said he did it because he read Catcher In The Rye.
It's not to say all of them overlook it. I will say this: granted there are similarities, and maybe it could be pointed out and accepted by some people; however, most will stick by books. As for now, I will not really consider those parents who expect everyone else to parent and shelter their children.
In all honesty, this is a debate about quality of influence, or dare I say "morality?" Media (books, television, video games, etc.) should point us in the direction of being well informed and wise, in each of our own ways. I'm not saying it should all be "educational." Comedy (relaxing) is still crucial, but not in the excess some of these things are. Most of it is self-control while the other is all of the companies supplying it. As the one song sung by System of Down says: "Turn of your TV." But I digress.
I say televsion is still part of it, but I will stick to video games. I would say most of you have the right idea that there are vile books too, but most people against video games where brought up with good morals on good books. I might be generalizing too much, but his is one possiblity. As kids (no longer as adults) they generaly equate books = the classics (Moby Dick, Robinhood, whatever, and maybe even the Bible(though it was only for the Old testament stories that are taught in Sunday School)).
Okay that was, more or less, my opinion of people who have an odd biased to video games, but I will add my opinion to it all. Books can become classics and can reach people arcossed so many lines much easier than video games. Games can be easily replaced by the next one because of improved gameplay and graphics. Most of this is because video games and such is still starting. Writing (fiction or non-ficiton) has been developed for centuries. It has nearly been the basic long jevity of culture save language. It is still based in most of our media. Some movies and video games are still based on these stories. I'm sure that there are several books that were lost in the past because they were awful, just like today. How many? We don't know. That's why they're lost.
We can spew out many things these days. It is real easy with so many methods of communication. Depending upon your view, it may be edifying, but it may not. Without any decent belief, anything could happen. To be honest, I'm not really sure what standard people are going on these days. It is something that seems to be slowly fading. Sure there are people who are trying to hold on tightly to it, but do understand the saying about gripping sand too tightly.
Times are changing. I can't speak for all countries, but America has been changing alot with technology. I wasn't raised with the same things my parents were. My parents weren't raised on the same thing their parents were. Before that, technology wasn't booming at all. They still had horse and buggy. I guess to conclude it nicely, I hope, be paitent. We are not going to get all the facts right, and they are not going to either.
A bit rushed, but I hope everything made sense.
Herr Mullen Wrote:I've heard that the chap who killed JFK said he did it because he read Catcher In The Rye.
Catcher in the Rye is apparently THE serial killer book. It's a book found most often at the residence of serial killers. Strange, neh?
Evil literature?
I think so!