Comments on: Fighting the urge http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/ ... the online home of a librarian in Perth, Western Australia Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:35:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: CW http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1517 CW Sun, 03 Sep 2006 22:28:57 +0000 http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1517 Isaak I love Tetris and Puzzle Bobble, too :) Isaak I love Tetris and Puzzle Bobble, too :)

]]> By: isaak http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1516 isaak Sat, 02 Sep 2006 02:16:42 +0000 http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1516 Nope. She doesn't play computer games other than tetris and puzzle bubble. But it's good to just get away from everything and kill some beasts and humanoids. Nope. She doesn’t play computer games other than tetris and puzzle bubble. But it’s good to just get away from everything and kill some beasts and humanoids.

]]> By: m http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1515 m Fri, 01 Sep 2006 08:02:52 +0000 http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1515 Given that my current hedonistoc gaming lifestyle stemmed from a deep existential crisis and subsequent fall into a Nihilistic outlook most of my comments are going to get more and more heated and off topic.<br /><br />I best leave it as is :) Given that my current hedonistoc gaming lifestyle stemmed from a deep existential crisis and subsequent fall into a Nihilistic outlook most of my comments are going to get more and more heated and off topic.

I best leave it as is :)

]]> By: CW http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1514 CW Fri, 01 Sep 2006 04:46:01 +0000 http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1514 Thanks, dances with books - M, any further comment? I always have a problem with arguments around this topic, being conflicted - I think both your points of view have validity! :)<br /><br />Isaak, does your wife play too? I like her idea of giving you some form of escapism :) Thanks, dances with books - M, any further comment? I always have a problem with arguments around this topic, being conflicted - I think both your points of view have validity! :)

Isaak, does your wife play too? I like her idea of giving you some form of escapism :)

]]> By: isaak http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1513 isaak Thu, 31 Aug 2006 04:18:32 +0000 http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1513 Haven't tried PVP or RP myself. Prefer to play on my own and join groups as and when needed. Anyway, don't have much time to play with work and taking care of the little one. But I do admire Blizzard for all the hard work it has put into its games. Still remember playing Starcraft from eons ago and then the Warcraft series.<br /><br />But I do remember playing 24 hours straight on Football Manager for three quarters of a season when I was much younger (but that's another story). Am still playing Football Manager, just not so fanatically.<br /><br />As for 'wasting time' of games, my wife think it's a healthy thing for me to do away from work and family time. She's the one who actually bought me WoW for my birthday. But I do ensure that I spent time with the family (Hmmm ... maybe that's why I'm still stuck at Level 18!). Haven’t tried PVP or RP myself. Prefer to play on my own and join groups as and when needed. Anyway, don’t have much time to play with work and taking care of the little one. But I do admire Blizzard for all the hard work it has put into its games. Still remember playing Starcraft from eons ago and then the Warcraft series.

But I do remember playing 24 hours straight on Football Manager for three quarters of a season when I was much younger (but that’s another story). Am still playing Football Manager, just not so fanatically.

As for ‘wasting time’ of games, my wife think it’s a healthy thing for me to do away from work and family time. She’s the one who actually bought me WoW for my birthday. But I do ensure that I spent time with the family (Hmmm … maybe that’s why I’m still stuck at Level 18!).

]]> By: m http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1512 m Wed, 30 Aug 2006 16:27:05 +0000 http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1512 "Dances With Books said... as long as it does not interfere with what you are actually supposed to be doing."<br /><br />This is what I take issue with. Implicit in that statement is that games are not what anyone is supposed to be doing. It's but a diversion or temporary entertainment before we get back to accomplishing something. <br /><br />It's akin (in order not necessarily magnitude) to the queer community never quite being accepted in society because they are busy with their sexual entertainment and never really contributing to the furthering of our gene pool. <br /><br />It's akin to the female community never quite being accepted into the male work force because they are supposed to be parenting and nurturing the societies children.<br /><br />It's that song "Get a hair cut and get a real job".<br /><br />I've experienced all the above and frequently stand outside a community that says, you're not really a part of us, we can't take you seriously because you arent doing what you are supposed to be doing.<br /><br />I've abandoned what I'm "supposed to be doing" and just enjoying who I am :) “Dances With Books said… as long as it does not interfere with what you are actually supposed to be doing.”

This is what I take issue with. Implicit in that statement is that games are not what anyone is supposed to be doing. It’s but a diversion or temporary entertainment before we get back to accomplishing something.

It’s akin (in order not necessarily magnitude) to the queer community never quite being accepted in society because they are busy with their sexual entertainment and never really contributing to the furthering of our gene pool.

It’s akin to the female community never quite being accepted into the male work force because they are supposed to be parenting and nurturing the societies children.

It’s that song “Get a hair cut and get a real job”.

I’ve experienced all the above and frequently stand outside a community that says, you’re not really a part of us, we can’t take you seriously because you arent doing what you are supposed to be doing.

I’ve abandoned what I’m “supposed to be doing” and just enjoying who I am :)

]]> By: Dances With Books http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1511 Dances With Books Wed, 30 Aug 2006 13:45:33 +0000 http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1511 Don't get me wrong M, I think people should "waste" their time however it pleases them. Just don't go around griping later about how you (and I mean this in the generic) feel like you lost time or did not accomplish anything. As for the Protestant so called ethic, those people would not know fun if the lord or whatever they believe in came and smote them with it. Me? Life is too short, have your fun, but be responsible about it. Overall, I (me, myself, and I)think spending all that time on a computer game may be a waste, but that is me. As I mentioned, I have my console, and I do spend time on it, but life tends to trump a lot of things. At any rate, whatever rocks your world is fine by me as long as it does not interfere with what you are actually supposed to be doing. Don’t get me wrong M, I think people should “waste” their time however it pleases them. Just don’t go around griping later about how you (and I mean this in the generic) feel like you lost time or did not accomplish anything. As for the Protestant so called ethic, those people would not know fun if the lord or whatever they believe in came and smote them with it. Me? Life is too short, have your fun, but be responsible about it. Overall, I (me, myself, and I)think spending all that time on a computer game may be a waste, but that is me. As I mentioned, I have my console, and I do spend time on it, but life tends to trump a lot of things. At any rate, whatever rocks your world is fine by me as long as it does not interfere with what you are actually supposed to be doing.

]]> By: CW http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1510 CW Wed, 30 Aug 2006 12:04:25 +0000 http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1510 Morgan, I don't usually find PvP fun either. I particularly dislike being attacked by higher level characters against whom I don't stand much of a chance. And yes, it is immensely frustrating to be attacked over and over and over by these types of players. I don't know why they enjoy it so much. As for playing on Kirin Tor, <i>DON'T TEMPT ME</i> ;)<br /><br />Hello dances with books (I nearly typed "wolves" then, eep), thanks for stopping by! I know what you mean about having other things to do. I think I could enjoy games more if I didn't always have other things at the back of my mind that I know I want to/have to do...<br /><br />Angel, thank you, what an honour! :)<br /><br />M, having just made my response to dances with books, I also know what you mean. In multiplayer games where the social aspect is strong I have really enjoyed having conversations with other players and getting to know them and so on. And yes, when books first started becoming widespread and affordable people thought they were a waste of time too, and now I don't think many people would still say that about them. I guess it's a matter of perception, huh? <br /><br />But for me I still come back to the fact that I can get so sucked in to certain games that I neglect other things, and that irks me. If I could only <i>not</i> be annoyed by this, I would be fine ;) Morgan, I don’t usually find PvP fun either. I particularly dislike being attacked by higher level characters against whom I don’t stand much of a chance. And yes, it is immensely frustrating to be attacked over and over and over by these types of players. I don’t know why they enjoy it so much. As for playing on Kirin Tor, DON’T TEMPT ME ;)

Hello dances with books (I nearly typed “wolves” then, eep), thanks for stopping by! I know what you mean about having other things to do. I think I could enjoy games more if I didn’t always have other things at the back of my mind that I know I want to/have to do…

Angel, thank you, what an honour! :)

M, having just made my response to dances with books, I also know what you mean. In multiplayer games where the social aspect is strong I have really enjoyed having conversations with other players and getting to know them and so on. And yes, when books first started becoming widespread and affordable people thought they were a waste of time too, and now I don’t think many people would still say that about them. I guess it’s a matter of perception, huh?

But for me I still come back to the fact that I can get so sucked in to certain games that I neglect other things, and that irks me. If I could only not be annoyed by this, I would be fine ;)

]]> By: m http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1509 m Tue, 29 Aug 2006 23:54:52 +0000 http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1509 "Dances With Books said..., I cannot see myself wasting all that time on a game."<br /><br />I find waste such a relative term but people tend to bandy it about as an absolute when it comes to interactive entertainment. <br /><br />To me people spend time instead on what I think is equally wasteful. Like working longer hours to get that extra furniture or a second mortgage paid off or keeping thier 100msq lawn perfectly trimmed and watered or spending time praying to some non-existent god.<br /><br />I find a lot of this attitude is aquired from osmosis from our society and people never really question it. I think the Protestant Work Ethic is rampant in our society and need some cooling down.<br /><br />Thats not to mention all the people who say games are a waste of time while they watch hours of sports on Sunday afternoon or sitcoms for a few hours each night.<br /><br />It's a waste if the rewards are worth much less than what you could be doing. Games in general though can be very rewarding, mentally stimulating, educational and social. They also allow time out from stress and re-enforce that life is after all just a game. “Dances With Books said…, I cannot see myself wasting all that time on a game.”

I find waste such a relative term but people tend to bandy it about as an absolute when it comes to interactive entertainment.

To me people spend time instead on what I think is equally wasteful. Like working longer hours to get that extra furniture or a second mortgage paid off or keeping thier 100msq lawn perfectly trimmed and watered or spending time praying to some non-existent god.

I find a lot of this attitude is aquired from osmosis from our society and people never really question it. I think the Protestant Work Ethic is rampant in our society and need some cooling down.

Thats not to mention all the people who say games are a waste of time while they watch hours of sports on Sunday afternoon or sitcoms for a few hours each night.

It’s a waste if the rewards are worth much less than what you could be doing. Games in general though can be very rewarding, mentally stimulating, educational and social. They also allow time out from stress and re-enforce that life is after all just a game.

]]> By: Angel, librarian and educator http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1508 Angel, librarian and educator Tue, 29 Aug 2006 16:59:27 +0000 http://blog.flexnib.com/2006/08/28/fighting-the-urge/#comment-1508 I will be recommending this blog as one of my choices during Blog Day 2006 on August 31. You can visit my blog (http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com)to see this and other blogs as well as share the festivities. I will be recommending this blog as one of my choices during Blog Day 2006 on August 31. You can visit my blog (http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com)to see this and other blogs as well as share the festivities.

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