Gaming

I hate extremists. I know I've already said it once before but I needed to say it again. 

Extreme gaming bothers me. During the TED talk, McGonigal talks about how gaming is important and changes peoples lives and it's so great and it's going to change the world... Well, I do agree with her for the most part; it will change the world.

Gaming can be beneficial. It teaches many things on the cognitive level. Gaming can teach children how to read or do math, it can also teach adults how to solve world problems (apparently). But, I think the biggest downfall to gaming is the lack of non-virtual relationships and addiction. 

I struggled really hard with this lack of non-virtual relationship with an ex of mine. Gaming wasn't just part of his life, it WAS his life. He would spend hours in front of the computer and XBox. I'm not talking two or three hours, I'm talking twelve to fifteen hours a day/night. There would be times I would come over to visit him and would have no communication at all because he was too busy with a game. I wouldn't hear from him for days because he would stay up all night playing games, go to work, come home, play games, sleep, go to work, come home, play games, etc. His online friends and their needs started to come before me and mine. He sacrificed time and a relationship with me and gaming ended up being one of the main reasons we broke up. It may seem as if I was being needy or clingy or wouldn't give him space, but that wasn't the case at all. He had a serious problem and addiction. Last I knew, his past two girlfriends have given him an ultimatum. Every time he's chosen his games. And I know he's not the only one. 

Gaming addictions aren't beneficial and I think they are a negative side of this "wonderful world of gaming." McGonigal tried to arge that this great world will lead to Earth-shattering, world-saving things, but I find it hard to believe her since I've seen gaming addictions claim the lives of so many. Not only my ex, but a few cousins have also fallen under this gaming trap. School work, social interaction outside of the virtual world, familial relationships, and a healthy lifestyle are all sacrifices that these gamers have made.

While games could save the world someday, I think we first need to solve the problem of the addiction.