Poll: My Son, The Dragon Slayer: The Risks And Rewards Of Growing Up Gaming

Scentedwiind

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Nov 13, 2009
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I found this article today on National Public Radio's website and wanted to know what you guys of the escapist magazine website think of their story. Because it is touching on the touchy subject of the effects of video games, do you think that they handle the subject well?

http://www.wbur.org/2013/01/24/digital-lives-ii

Also, general discussion on how video games have effected you.
 

Johnny Novgorod

Bebop Man
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Feb 9, 2012
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As usual I have nothing interesting to say about the effects of gaming in my life. I wasted a whole Summer trying to push a truck in Pokemon, and I guess I should lead a life less sedentary. That's about it.
 

Full

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Sep 3, 2012
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"They're fun, and kind of educational, and requires me to think; unlike some homework."

Kid's a boss. This articles gives me hope that games will be seen as a part of everyday life as movies and books are.

Anyway, I've been playing games for as long as I can remember, so it's been a natural part of my life as much as books and films and active recreation has, even more important than those will ever be. That said, I'm not sure how different my personality would be if I were to never play them. Lately though, I've been thinking and talking more about video games than actually playing them or doing anything else, really, so there's that, I guess.
 

oplinger

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Sep 2, 2010
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The ending conclusion means they did it right.

I think I speak for many parents when I say yes, we need to be vigilant, and yes yes yes, we could really use more good data to base our decisions on. A lot more.
But as far as how video games have affected me?

I couldn't tell you for certain, because I don't remember life without them.

I know I've learned many things, be it morality, physics, history, math, reading, and many other things. That's just directly.

There is no way for me to know how much I have learned tangentially, because I've seen it in a game and looked it up. Researched a topic in depth because a game was even wrong about it.

not to mention how they've developed my reaction times, critical thinking skills, visual acuity, and spatial awareness.

Also, let's not forget their ability to force me to fill in the gaps, be it from technical limitations (spotty connections on an NES/genesis) or just because the game doesn't outright tell me.

They've had a big effect. And these are just the benefits I have observed.
 

Nieroshai

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Aug 20, 2009
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It's good to see a non-gamer, and a parent at that, saying these things. It's even better to see that someone at NPR does more than read cue cards. I like this article. It speaks to parents from a parent's perspective, in a reasonable and non-defensive manner.