I hope she read my previous comment, it was filled with logic
and profanity.
Otherwise, I really hopes she reads this. I will once again repeat myself, video games aren't bad. In fact they've saved my life indirectly. During a long time I was suffering depression, I was alone, I couldn't talk to anyone, hell, even the eventual suicide thought came up. And there it was, my video games, sitting beside me. I decided to self indulge, and I would forget my problems for the period of time. And games taught me things as a child (it's the very basic ground for how English is like a built in language for me, I was raised with games with English dialog). She is free to send me a mail, I will counter attack all of her points. I love debating.
Why are video games bad just because they don't make you stronger or gives you more friends? Sure, socializing is fun, improves your social skills. Exercising gives you strength. But video games have given me mental stimulation, finger dexterity, teaching in English language (basic and complex) as well as other things, introduced me to a culture of friends with the same interests, and is actual fun to me. How is that wrong in any way? And once again, why should a mother of a child which she clearly can't discipline, control my life choices. I can make my own choices in life, as well as many others. learn to take care of your own kid if you're so intent on stopping him from playing games. I see people get drunk constantly, sometimes harming others. And yet it's socially accepted to drink until you puke. And why is that? Cause people want the freedom to enjoy themselves. At least video games won't cause you to accidentally run someone over. My parents allowed me to play video games, and allowed me to play
violent video games, and me or them have never looked back, because it has only made my life better. I'm happy, I've bonded better with my brother, I have a hobby that I enjoy, and I can chat with the great people here at The Escapist. And for the accusation of violent VG = bad, I say that violent video games are good. Think about it, introduce them to it at an appropriate age, and by time they'll learn how awful death and sorrow is, especially if you buy games that make them bond with characters.
But here's a direct set of words to Frumpy Mom: You know what your problem is? Just like every older person I've met that wasn't in the right generation to experience the culture; You're set in your ways. You're so stubborn that you refuse to listen to any reasoning and think that you're opinion is the only sensible one. Before you criticize us, and our culture, how about you actually take out your plugs of stubbornness and actually take a hearing to what we have to say?
Oh, and one last thing. Allow me to indulge and tell you about myself. I'm 15 years old, have a fair amount of friends (I chose to not have that many, I'm a cynic who does not wish to be with annoying people). I'm currently in high school, I have good grades in most subjects, A's and close to A's in English, Swedish (I'm from Sweden), music, and history, and have also received a prize for creative writing.
And guess how long I've been gaming? Well, I remember my siblings telling me that the first time I really understood the mechanics of Super Mario Land, was when I was 2. Imagine that, 13 years of gaming on average 2-4 hours a day (that being an average, my longest playthrough in a row ever is 13 hours), most in my youngest years, and I still have the ability to think. Your response?
But I guess your right. I could just become another one of those bland, normal teenagers who ends up who go to parties, get drunk, smoke and have pointless sex with various strangers, ending up getting lectured by their parents, rinse and repeat until finally falling into depression, get bad grades, no job or aspirations, and will end up standing in the counter, bagging the luxury toilet paper for the man who didn't go that way, but went his own unique way and got a great job and can now wipe his bum with twenties. Boy, you're so right.
And to show that we're not the only one thinking so, take a look at this lovely example of brilliance. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/94875-Buddhist-Religious-Leader-Says-Games-Satiate-Aggression
Prove me wrong, Frumpy Mom. I challenge you.
EDIT:
Jon Etheridge said:
Let's be honest here for a second. Do some people play WAAYY to many games? Yes. Have some people developed a problem because of their gaming habits? Yes. Do some gamers ignore their social lives and hygiene just to get in one more hour of leveling up? Damn right.
Is this lady completely crazy? You fuckin betcha.
Her problem lies in generalizing as most ignorant people tend to do. It's stupidity of the highest caliber when you say something like video games being the cause of kids being stupid. It's the equivalent of saying all black people will rob you, all mexicans are lazy, all Jewish people love is money and every chinese male has a small dick. While these sayings may be true to certain individuals they are nothing more than stereotypes perpetuated by the dumbest members of our society.
Like a lot people who thinks the way she does, she lives inside a very small box and has no understanding about the world around her, try as she might to comprehend it. Games are not causing kids to be stupid. Growing up with stupid people are causing kids to be stupid.
As this is a clearly valid point, I'm quoting this along with my post to get together all points. And you're absolutely right. Generalization is probably the greatest flaw in her arguments.
