Jun 26
Video Game Addiction
I thought I knew about video game addiction when trying to Gold Medal every last thing on the original Project Gotham Racing for XBox. (Which I ended up doing). But recently, the term “video game addiction” has made it into the news, this time the talk being whether or not it is a true addiction akin to alcoholism! The thought is, (I guess), if it’s registered as a real addiction, it can then be helped through insurance companies and the like. Is it just me - Or does this just sound like cRaZiNeSS!?I heard whispers of this talk on TV in the last few days, but it wasn’t until I hit CNN today that the story really got “all up in my face”. According to the article, “Doctors backed away on Sunday from a controversial proposal to designate video game addiction as a mental disorder akin to alcoholism, saying psychiatrists should study the issue more.” Crazy. I mean, on the surface it’s easy to just shrug it away as a, “Really? Are we serious?” kind of thing but like the article continues, “Working with this problem is no different than working with alcoholic patients. The same denial, the same rationalization, the same inability to give it up…” And when you put it that way, you can definitely see the argument.
Even if video game addiction isn’t a true addiction, it’s at least something that’s very worrisome. Don’t believe me? Just think about WoW, otherwise known as The World of Warcraft. This online game basically takes over people’s lives, leaving them hollow shells of their former selves. There are even websites up that chronicle the problems people face trying to tear themselves away from this game and their reasons for leaving. Sites such as the very humorous (to outsiders), WoW Detox.
Anyway, I once heard that you know you have an addiction when there are very bad consequences to your actions as a result of your behavior…Such as not showering, shunning your friends, and not showing up to work. I don’t know that there has ever come a time where I’ve been addicted to a game in this sense, but….Well…I don’t even know what to say. I love video games. But it seems to me if you can’t get away from them to enjoy life and you end up ruining your life because you can’t get away, you must have SOME kind of problem right?
June 26th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
I so want to get my PS3 or Nintendo V
June 26th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Ha ha. I think you have a bit of an addict inside you Magus.
June 26th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
What? What’s this? No Baby Mac pictures anywhere to be found with the exception of the first one. I want details Mister!
And is that you? What a great picture!!!
June 27th, 2007 at 4:54 am
Details huh? Well at the moment, the little guy is trying to wake up and um…is being quite vocal about that. (#):)
June 27th, 2007 at 7:02 am
I saw this too. I generally agree with you, that there are valid points as to why video game addiction should be considered just like any other addiction.
However, I think on the flip side there is a big difference. Video games is not a chemical addiction. Sure the thrill of winning may cause your brain to create some chemicals, but that is still not akin to alcohol.
June 27th, 2007 at 8:10 am
I hear ya Apex. So that of course begs the question : Does an addiction need to be “chemical” for it to be “on the real”?
June 27th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
Here’s the solution for anyone with a gaming addiction: turn your whole family into gamers.
It works. I did it to mine haha.
June 28th, 2007 at 3:41 am
Wait Baron, so is the thinking here that once your family are gamers, you won’t get a chance to steal the systems from them, or that they’ll ruin all your fun by wanting to play the same horrible games over and over again? (#)\:1
June 28th, 2007 at 6:19 am
perfect image used..
and thanks for commenting on techlivez.com
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http://www.techlivez.com/2007/06/geforce-8400-based-directx-10-graphics.html
thanks
June 30th, 2007 at 3:46 am
If it is the body’s reaction to some external influence that creates the chemical reaction that cries out for more, why should it make a difference whether the outside influence is alcohol, drugs, gambling or video games….?
June 30th, 2007 at 6:35 am
You raise a good point Sueblimely. As Sheryl Crow says, “Good is good and bad is bad.”
July 1st, 2007 at 8:01 am
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