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Indoctrinating The Young As Gamers
Gamers with Jobs has an interesting look at what it's like to indoctrinate the next generation of gamer. From the article: "Now, as I stumble through my fourth decade on this spinning marble in space, it is my great privilege to pass this obsession on to my own son. It is something of a shock to me that my years of gaming can be measured reasonably in terms of percentage of a century. I shudder to think how many productive hours and how much money I have sacrificed to my passion. Instead of dwelling on that point, I pretend that the question doesn't even exist, in much the same way that I occasionally like to pretend the mortgage doesn't exist when a desired game finds its way onto store shelves. And now, already, my own son has begun his own epic sacrifice to the pastime, so that someday he too can struggle in the decision between food and maintaining his subscription to World of Warcraft."
Ok, seriously - why do people treat gaming as some sort of an addiction in most all cases? Anything can become an addiction if it is taken to unhealthy or unproductive levels. Everyone *NEEDS* entertainment. Having fun isn't some sort of sin, unless you are neglecting family/work and other responsibilities. In that case, it *is* an uncontrollable addiction. You can't spend every hour of your life exclusively focusing on just your work/family. Just a thought I had when i caught this article. People think, and even gamers themselves think there is something wrong with them for enjoying video games - but this is no different than someone whose favorite pasttime is playing piano, or watching movies, or playing chess. It's a different form of entertainment, and like all entertainment *CAN* be taken to unhealthy levels - but in most cases it is not.
"Potpourii doesn't taste as good as it smells." - Dark_Link2135
"so that someday he too can struggle in the decision between food and maintaining his subscription to World of Warcraft."
"Too?" As in you think about whether to buy food or WoW? And you have a son to feed?
Look, we get enough flak from Jack Thompson types as it is, why don't you do us all a favor and call child services now before your face is plastered on TV news.
Maybe there's something you don't realize about children - they have no taste at all. Pretty much everything kids are into, be it food, movies, music, or whatever, is sheer crap.
The worst part? This holds true for you, too. All those things you remember as awesome from your childhood are just as crappy as what's out there now. Even worse, actually, because the production values are better today.
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Classic mistake: life isn't an either/or game. My son is an avid gamer and D&D (PnP) player. He's 13, and been doing this for at least 6 years. His favorite TV shows are Xplay and various anime shows. He loves reading fantasy books. He'll play video games or do D&D (as GM - he likes designing the scenarios for others more than playing) as much as we let him. So, of course, we impose limits.
He's also an A+ student in a very competitive school system, in advanced classes where they're available. He practices cello 30 minutes a day, and is an accomplished soccer player. He's tall and lean and fit, and has been the fastest in his class in the mile run several times.
I'm not going to claim that his playing video games has improved his problem solving skills or other similar claims (though he's often better than I am at some of these); it's a hobby he enjoys.
It's all about balance.