JerzeyLegend
Well-Known Member
I was giving my Facebook newsfeed a look over when I ran into this: http://www.video-game-addiction.org/physical-consequences.html#.U8SQhYbnAfw.facebook
It seems to be a site on video game addiction, with this page in particular being about the physical consequences. I wanted to know what the community thought about these "symptoms".
I posted a response to the post with this, this is my opinion, and I hope you you can read over it all before replying:
This is garbage. In order to get all the things listed in this article, you would literally have to do NOTHING but game 24 hours a day.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
While that is a possibility, game controllers are designed to be ergonomic and easy to hold. I've been gaming for years and I don't have it. I've never heard of ANY gamer complaining about CTS.
Migraines:
It says migraines may be due to increased strain? Actually when you're playing a videogame, your eyes are looking all over, seeing small details in the back, it is medically proven to improve eyesight and response time.
Sleep disturbances:
I could see losing sleep because you want to play games, but sleep apnea and narcolepsy? Give me a break.
Backaches:
This can happen with anything in life, sit in something ergonomical. Also you should take frequent breaks and stretch if you're going to game for a long time. This is something video games actually ask you to do in their documentations.
Eating Irregularities:
I'm starting to feel like this entire article was based on the South Park episode "Make Love not Warcraft". Where Stan and friends did nothing but play Warcraft. Gamers get hungry, our minds and bodies stimulated by our games. Poor eating choices are a factor before the "addiction". Don't blames games for bad eating choices.
Poor personal hygiene:
While video games may be a source of some bad body odor, because you want to finish this 20-man raid rather than take a shower, I don't think it is so much as a health issue as it is more of a personal issue/preference.
All of the examples presented in the article are extremes, severe extremes, and it even seems to go as far as fear-mongering to keep people from playing video games.
As with all things, you must use moderation and responsibility. That's just life. I'm addicted to games, yet I don't suffer from any of those problems. I love games, computers, technology, etc. I exercise self control. That's what the article should be about, teaching people who are "addicted" to make sure they still do what they need to do, not lower their self confidence and make them feel like they committed a crime.
What do you think? Was my response justified or was it just baseless garbage? As I said in the article, this all seems like someone in EXTREME condition, and while it may exist, I have never witnessed it, and I feel like it would be rare enough to not consider these things as video game addiction. As a person who loves games, I can consider myself addicted. Maybe not as severe, but it just seems as someone who enjoys them, that I am seen as someone who is suffering from any one of those problems... when I'm not. Maybe it just hit a nerve, I don't know.
Maybe someone more level headed than me can share some insight.
It seems to be a site on video game addiction, with this page in particular being about the physical consequences. I wanted to know what the community thought about these "symptoms".
I posted a response to the post with this, this is my opinion, and I hope you you can read over it all before replying:
This is garbage. In order to get all the things listed in this article, you would literally have to do NOTHING but game 24 hours a day.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
While that is a possibility, game controllers are designed to be ergonomic and easy to hold. I've been gaming for years and I don't have it. I've never heard of ANY gamer complaining about CTS.
Migraines:
It says migraines may be due to increased strain? Actually when you're playing a videogame, your eyes are looking all over, seeing small details in the back, it is medically proven to improve eyesight and response time.
Sleep disturbances:
I could see losing sleep because you want to play games, but sleep apnea and narcolepsy? Give me a break.
Backaches:
This can happen with anything in life, sit in something ergonomical. Also you should take frequent breaks and stretch if you're going to game for a long time. This is something video games actually ask you to do in their documentations.
Eating Irregularities:
I'm starting to feel like this entire article was based on the South Park episode "Make Love not Warcraft". Where Stan and friends did nothing but play Warcraft. Gamers get hungry, our minds and bodies stimulated by our games. Poor eating choices are a factor before the "addiction". Don't blames games for bad eating choices.
Poor personal hygiene:
While video games may be a source of some bad body odor, because you want to finish this 20-man raid rather than take a shower, I don't think it is so much as a health issue as it is more of a personal issue/preference.
All of the examples presented in the article are extremes, severe extremes, and it even seems to go as far as fear-mongering to keep people from playing video games.
As with all things, you must use moderation and responsibility. That's just life. I'm addicted to games, yet I don't suffer from any of those problems. I love games, computers, technology, etc. I exercise self control. That's what the article should be about, teaching people who are "addicted" to make sure they still do what they need to do, not lower their self confidence and make them feel like they committed a crime.
What do you think? Was my response justified or was it just baseless garbage? As I said in the article, this all seems like someone in EXTREME condition, and while it may exist, I have never witnessed it, and I feel like it would be rare enough to not consider these things as video game addiction. As a person who loves games, I can consider myself addicted. Maybe not as severe, but it just seems as someone who enjoys them, that I am seen as someone who is suffering from any one of those problems... when I'm not. Maybe it just hit a nerve, I don't know.
Maybe someone more level headed than me can share some insight.