Read this on yahoo, found it interesting, kinda of the way I have thought for a while about video games and today's culture.

What are your thoughts? Is my thinking to old?

I always limited my boys from some of these video games, not because I'm afraid

but because I didn't want them to focus all their time on a game with friends online, but to go out learn some real social skills with real people

https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/68039158-6038-3ae9-949c-a91986f9019b/ss_after-the-latest-mass.html

Bklynracer:

Thanks for the article link.  I found it interesting.  I think that author and you are asking a good question about whether or not we, as a society, are “focusing on the wrong amendment”?  While you are specifically asking about video games and how they may hinder children (and some adults), from developing real social skills, face-to-face with other people, I dare say it is not just that pastime that may be problematic.  I think we also need to consider our society’s addiction to our smart phones.  I am no longer shocked, but still find it rather sad, to see 4 or more people sitting down at a table in a restaurant, all looking at their phones and not talking to each other….!  These electronic devices have changed how we all deal with each other and not always in a good or healthy way.

But to answer your question regarding video games, let me share with you a post I made awhile back on this subject in another thread.  I understand and can appreciate how for many people; video games are a way to break free from the mundane aspects of everyday life.  Don’t be surprised if some posters here state very defensive comments about enjoying their serious dedication to certain video games, which is fine.

Our choices for entertainment are subjective and personal.  I do not condemn others for enjoying them, but for me.  Rather than play video games, I would rather go for a bike ride, hike in the woods, meander around a car show, or go to a gun range to shoot guns or a sporting clay course.  FYI, video games are not for me since I am not really interested in this type of escapist fantasy and think they are a complete waste of time and money.  Playing video games does little to contribute to my life goals.  As far as I am concerned, they do not justify their existence by just making the player a better player, instead of making them a better person.  But I respect that we all have choices and to each their own...  Your parenting choices regarding your sons’ time spent on video games have been echoed by many friends and relatives of mine for the same reasons. They can be much fun for children, within a structured time frame, while also encouraging, if not insisting on other forms of entertainment, self-satisfaction and personal growth.

For many years I have wondered why do people like video games and why would someone spend hours playing a game instead of doing anything else?  I understand that human behavior can manifest itself with people playing video games for different reasons or motives.  After speaking to many friends and work associates who do play and enjoy video games here are their and my discussed most common reasons that many people, especially males, are drawn to and enjoy playing video games and helps us better understand their motivations:

1.  Mirror Neurons:  Our brains contain nerve cells that are called mirror neurons. Those cells allow us to put ourselves in someone's shoes, attempting to experience their same emotions.  When we play a video game we experience the same emotions as the imaginary Hero we are controlling.

2.  Boosting Self Esteem:  Most games contain certain puzzles that give people a self esteem boost when they solve them. These games make people feel good about themselves as they master them. Defeating other human players may make one feel superior to others and elevate one’s self esteem.

3.  Stress relief: Life is full of stressful events.  Video games can be a temporary escape to another world for few hours. Yet, that experience can be draining enough to allow people to live in a virtual world for sometime while forgetting about everything else going on in the real world. (I prefer to either watch a movie or read a good book to achieve this….).

4.  Dopamine rush: Dopamine is the chemical in our brain’s responsible for the excitement we feel when we chase a reward. Many people get addicted to the amounts of dopamine video games allow them to experience.

5.  Running away: Some people get addicted to video games just because they are too afraid to face the real world. A lonesome person may become indulged in video games just because they are unable to face the fact that they can't socialize with other people. Many people use video games to run away from the mess in their real lives in a form of self-deception.

6.  Control: Many people who feel that they lost control over their lives seek other areas where they can regain and maintain some form of control.  Because a video game environment is highly controllable a person who seeks to regain some of that lost control can easily become a video game addict.

7.  Redemption: When people fail to live up to their dreams they might escape to a fantasy world where they can get another chance to fulfill them. Someone who has fantasized about wanting to be a hero but failed to do it in reality can find a great relief in video games since they allow them to possibly fulfill their dream.

BTW, do you enjoy spending time playing video games…?

AVB-AMG

smart phones. 20 years ago, there'd be people in our shop waiting room......all waiting for their cars. all talking together.

 today...i had 4 people sitting int he waiting room waiting for me to get their cars done. dead silence. they all had their faces buried in their phones.

 

 last summer. some friends and i had a couple picnics at redbank battlefield park. the place was over-run with people looking for pokemon..........

Worrying about video games is soooooo 1996....

The main issue with technology is smart phones, they're a lot worse than video games. Back when I was a kid, you could play games for hours but when you left the house, you were still in real life. 

Smartphones go with you 24/7. It's not just a certain group, either. 65 year old people, glued to the phone, following stupid e-mails and coupons. Little kids, 3 years old, glued to a tablet. People don't talk, they just go online, and get everything there.

I'll not bore anyone with a giant post, you can (ironically) google it. Software companies, app developers (including Google, Facebook, and Snap) specifically model their products in a way that mimics the dopamine hits from hard drugs. Small, quick, sporadic bursts of dopamine that keep you hooked and wanting more. Psychology studies show MASSIVE effects on children's cognitive development and even the normal behavior of adults.

Former employees of Google, Facebook, Snap, and other companies have publicly stated this as fact. Facebook founders don't let their children use the product. One of the most popular schools in Silicon Valley is a private school where there are no computers, tablets, or TV and the kids play outside. What does that tell you? Rule #1 of drug dealers. "Never get high on your own supply"

Did you know that if you never created a Gmail, never logged into it on any mobile device or computer, that Google has 19 metrics they can label, track, and measure you with? 

They've sold people the idea that they're famous, they're responsible for the polarization of our country. They HIDE behind progressive views to keep the public distracted from their dirty business. Some people are just catching on, but this battle has a long way to go. The younger generation knows nothing else. The old people think it's just Candy Crush.

9 minutes ago, 1LtCAP said:

smart phones. 20 years ago, there'd be people in our shop waiting room......all waiting for their cars. all talking together.

 today...i had 4 people sitting int he waiting room waiting for me to get their cars done. dead silence. they all had their faces buried in their phones.

 last summer. some friends and i had a couple picnics at redbank battlefield park. the place was over-run with people looking for pokemon..........

1LtCAP:

I think your recent experience is now the typical norm around our country....
Also, I had forgotten about that pokemon fad.  If I recall, that resulted in a number of accidents caused by people walking around and distracted by focusing on the screens of their phones and not where they were walking, (as in front of moving traffic, etc....).

AVB-AMG

19 hours ago, AVB-AMG said:

 

 

BTW, do you enjoy spending time playing video games…?

AVB-AMG

I have played a game or two, but not to often, mainly car racing games, at times they did relieve some stress at times they caused it when I couldn't beat the game. I enjoy going out somewhere, anywhere, then playing a video game.

I have no problem with kids playing games, what bothers me is when they play for 4,6,8 Hours at a time, when they scoff down dinner to get back to a game.

this includes my kids, but I try to avoid it when I can.

Yes phones are another issue, when I'm out with the kids the phones get put away in the car for a while and we talk, discuss thing that are going on, current events, you will be shocked at how many kids don't know what is going on in the world.

when we go on vacation we have no phone days, They can only use theirs for photos, I carry mine for emergencies. 

As I write this we are in Boston looking at colleges and both are on there phone, they weren't on all day. we will go out now and go walk around till tonight and then go to bed. 

These are just my thoughts, maybe I'm just old fashioned. 

 

oldie but a goodie.

” They’ve lost their souls “... classic