Gamers and empathy

[Moloch Sacrifice]

Oh God, I'd forgotten about this thread. I really shouldn't post on forums when I'm drunk. There's definitely an element of intoxicated self pity in the OP, but at least I've stimulated some form of discussion on the subject.
I definitely wouldn't say I shut myself in, but I do find that I feel very uncomfortable talking about myself and my interests; unless I know for certain the other person is interested as well, I will not mention videogames etc, and will even downplay or avoid direct questions on the matter. This obviously makes finding common ground somewhat difficult.
Until recently, I also found introducing myself to strangers almost impossible, although the trial by fire that is university seems to have cured me of that. However, I will outright admit that even basic flirting is beyond me; I've noticed that even when completely wasted the thought of approaching anyone with romantic intent fills me with terror, and being approached leaves me so bewildered that they soon lose interest.

 

[II2]

I don't think gaming has much to do with empathy at all... One might be tempted to argue that at points in time most 'gamers' were not typically people in possession of high social intellect and innate extroversion; choosing instead to focus inward on imagination and escapism. Videogames have become ubiquitous though, so the range of people participating kinda nulls that observation.

All that said, empathy is something that develops between networks of people at all manner of rates and isn't something you can put a personal gas gauge on. Sparing, from that description, individuals who's brains development simply does not process empathy / emotion in manners neurotypical.

 

[CannibalCorpses]

Real life interaction is easy, it's internet communication that i struggle with. I can find no way of judging people's true intention via text but in the real world i can tell by tone of voice, body movements and eye contact. The internet interactions seem to be more about weak willed people shouting over and over again in the hope that someone takes interest long enough to berate or agree with them. I can find people who agree with me in the real world, online i can find people who parrot my words or constantly tear what i say apart because my view impacts on their own in a way they have no wish to explore.

I feel at my most isolated when i'm only interacting online.

 

[Someone Depressing]

It's my nature to be withdrawn and shy; I do brighten up a lot when I actually get to know people though.
But yeah, I really hate communicating with people on the internet.

 

[Muspelheim]

I'm much better at social interaction than I thought, considering the trouble I had with it while I was a teen. Suppose it's just experience. I've also got a talent for being polite and tactful, oddly. People tend to like or tolerate me rather well. It's difficult to explain exactly how it works, it's more or less on autopilot. Thankfully. It was hell on earth being around people before I "got" it.
I rather like pleasant little chats and cold talk, with people I vaguely know or just people in general. It doesn't mean much, but it's comforting and polite.

I'm rather intoverted. I don't have many friends, certainly not by the current standard. But I never understood why some extroverts assume it means I can't talk, and sit around planning a series of dreadful murders because I can't get along with my own species. Things aren't as binary as that.

Now, I'm not sure gamers in particular have empathy or social issues. Many certainly do. But that is because gaming mainly attracts young people, and young people tend to mostly be the ones who does have those issues. And most of them grow out of them (unless they place that status on a piedestal, like I'll explain below) as they continue to grow as a person.

The only thing I might have an issue with reguarding the gaming/internet community in general is the whole jaded Dr. House pastiche that seems to be rather popular. The whole "I am a cynical misanthrope, I've seen the truth, I say the truth and I do not care for anything or anyone" act.

Some people have reason for it. Everyone has reason to be jaded about something. There is not anyone who's life has been an effortless cakewalk with no troubles or personal disasters whatsoever.
It's when self-diagnosed misanthropy becomes an excuse to turn everything your back and act like a rude, killjoy prat that it becomes an issue. There is a difference between being sceptical to a healthy degree, and just not giving anything a chance, because it's easier to assume everything and everyone is shit at all times.

It just seems a bit too simple a conclusion to make.

 

[FalloutJack]

I'm actually quite an outgoing and conversational person. I care about others, I've helped people through troubles, and I've even stopped a few suicides. Empathy? I have it...if you deserve it.