Are you mentally ill?

[SlowwHand]

Semantics. Just deal with the fact we're addicts.

[bipolarbear]

As far as addictionas go there are physical addictions like nicotine and heroin, where you become phsycially dependent on the drug in order to avoid withdrawals and function in life. Those are pretty specific and require only certain substances to work.

Then there are psychological addictions. Because it is a mental function, you can potentially become addicted to anything. physically speaking, it's not as dangerous as say alcoholism, but it can cause equal mental anguish.

So yeah video games can be an addiction, but people are no more prone to vg addiction than they are to television, or driving, or anything else.

[Pekka]

Kid, dont' say that. You know, after we've banned music, movies, games and everything else that is wrong with the western culture, rotting the youth and turning them into mindless killers, we might soon have a situation at our hands where the only thing left to ban is stupid and incompetent parents.

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by Pekka
Kid, dont' say that. You know, after we've banned music, movies, games and everything else that is wrong with the western culture, rotting the youth and turning them into mindless killers, we might soon have a situation at our hands where the only thing left to ban is stupid and incompetent parents.

I eagerly await this day.

[General Ludd]

Why's it always "this should be banned" "why do you want to ban everything?" it's a matter of cultural nuances and individuals taking responsibility. Talk of baning things (or not) does nothing for the problem, except cause it to fester under a false impression that these laws are actually capabable of doing something.

Writing something in a book of laws, or tossing people in jail, or taking children from their parents does absolutely nothing for the benefit of the society or culture. If, for instance, you think people ought to be socializing outside instead of playing video games, then go out into your neighbourhood and start building a community that fosters this. Culture and community are not things that can be legislated.

[bipolarbear]

Banning is quite a resource heavy endeavor. Good point Ludd.

[Blake]

Obsessed with people or obsessed with things. Pick your poison. Or become a monk.

Heh, General Ludd's comment reminded me of something.

I did an Outward bound course, and while we were tramping through a forest far far away from civilization, I was talking to one of the group, a young man like me. He was complaining about society, and in particular he was complaining that his (hypothetical) kids would never want to come out and see this wilderness, that they'd want to spend all their time watching TV and playing video games, he seemed pretty bitter about it. He seemed to have forgotten that as their Dad it would be his role, even responsibility to choose what they experience and to guide them, I pointed that out to him and he was like "Blah" and shut up. It was interesting... that people can be that, well... ignorant on the role of upbringing. I myself would never have followed that line of reasoning.
If I were ever a parent (highly doubtful) there wouldn't be a TV in the house, and I wouldn't let the kids have a gaming computer either, like until teens anyway, it would encourage socializing because they'd have to go over to other kids houses to play games .

[SlowwHand]

Ban banning!

[bipolarbear]

Hah, how could you post on 'Poly, much less play Civ without a computer?

[General Ludd]

Originally posted by bipolarbear
Hah, how could you post on 'Poly, much less play Civ without a computer?

Libraries, and other people's computers.


I don't have a computer of my own. Hell, I don't even have a home to put one in, anyways. The only times I post here is when I'm stuck somewhere that happens to have a computer, and I'm procrastinating or feeling ruttish.

[bipolarbear]

Yeah but that statement carries more weight in relation to Blake b/c he pays for special account privileges. Though I hope you have regular access to a computer if you expect your gnomes to prosper.

[Lord Avalon]

Originally posted by bipolarbear
Hah, how could you ... play Civ without a computer?

[bipolarbear]

Your enitre post is a giant strawman. How are you going to debate whether or not someone armed with spears could take down a tank without the internet? Apolyton the Boardgame hasn't come out yet.

[Nugog]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
Semantics. Just deal with the fact we're addicts.

Moi?

Never!

[Blake]

Originally posted by bipolarbear
Yeah but that statement carries more weight in relation to Blake b/c he pays for special account privileges. Though I hope you have regular access to a computer if you expect your gnomes to prosper.

Ah, but I didn't pay money for my "special account privileges" .

But anyway I don't see why no computer for Kids means no computer for me. I bet there will be some awesome biometrics within 15 years and anyway, all the games installed on my computer would be automatically uncool by virtue of the fact that Dad plays them .