Does Gaming Reduce Productivity?

Scott Taulbee writes "Bob Mandel of AVault has given us his interesting views on why playing games does not reduce productivity, but rather is a stimulating alternative to 'snoozing, daydreaming, overconsuming food and beverages, or sitting like a mindless slug waiting for time to pass.' He suggest that '..compared to other forms of recreational activity that could be enjoyed during work breaks, computer gaming has the greatest chance to hone skills useful for productivity in the workplace.' Should we all take this article to our bosses with requests for installing a GameCube on every desk?"

Comments

Re:Abuse potential too high

[benzapp]

This is akin to saying that if workers take cocaine to pep them up during the day, it's just like a cup of coffee.

The fact you would make this rather ridiculous assertion means that you have never tried cocaine and you are ignorant of the history of the drug. The reality is it *is* just like drinking a cup of coffee and was accepted as such for 60 years before it was made prescription only (and indeed can still be legally prescribed). Caffeine was nearly banned at the same time. Read the congressional transcripts for the debate on the Harrison Narcotics Act.

The problems with the drug today are due to impurities and unknown dosage, nothing more. There is also little need for the drug today as Amphetamine is far longer lasting and more effective (but not as mood altering).

From Jules Verne, to Mark Twain, Queen Victoria, Winston Churchill, Pope Gregory XIV (IIRC), to Thomas Edison... and millions more in the 19th they all used cocaine, frequently and with no ill effects. The addictive potential of the drug is highly overrated.

The drug, like other drugs, was banned during the temperance craze which led to prohibition. Alcohol then, as now, was more popular so it was legalized again... but nothing else was.

Anyway, BAD analogy. I know MANY people who get far more work done using stimulants than not...