Are Video Games A Waste of Time?

[Red]

I've been thinking about this a lot, and I've come to the conclusion; Generally speaking, yes.

I do think video games are a form of art, and as with many forms of art, they distract us from our troubles, get us through hard times, and give us something to smile about.

The problem is that video games take up a lot more time than other forms of art, primarily due to the need of active engagement. Music I think is one of the more useful forms of art, not only for activism (e.g. John Lennon), but also for boosting productivity when doing important things like studying, exercising or focusing on something. Although people love to binge-watch, movies and television only take up that amount of time, whereas with video games, it goes on for as long as you keep playing.

While video games do serve as a good way to chill with your homeslices, 90% of the time when I play them, I'm always thinking "I could be studying, I could be reading, I could be working on videos" etc

Thots?

[Lay Vegan]

Both "productivity" and "waste of time" are loosely defined here, so not sure if the question is useful.

I assume your definition of productive means striving to achieve goal X- to improve physical, psychological or intellectual wellbeing. Obviously video games, music, movies, and television don't (usually) have that kind of utility. But they do provide us a much needed break from other kinds of activities, and there's good reason to believe this can help us to be more "productive" afterword.

Video games can also be a far healthier alternative to other behaviors people engage in distract themselves (like doing drugs and alcohol).

[Red]

Both "productivity" and "waste of time" are loosely defined here, so not sure if the question is useful.

Well let's use the colloquial usage of the terms.

I assume your definition of productive means striving to achieve goal X- to improve physical, psychological or intellectual wellbeing. Obviously video games, music, movies, and television don't (usually) have that kind of utility. But they do provide us a much needed break from other kinds of activities, and there's good reason to believe this can help us to be more "productive" afterword.

I don't disagree, it's just that you can go playing from 1 hour to 2 hours to 3 to 4...
In moderated amounts, it might actually be a good thing (it does improve cognitive ability I hear, especially puzzle games like Tetris).
Music can have good utility as I mentioned in terms of activism and productivity, and television can have a similar one for news, and documentaries, as well as having things to throw in the background (although Television can also have the ability to suck you in as I sort of hinted at).

Video games can also be a far healthier alternative to other behaviors people engage in distract themselves (like doing drugs and alcohol).

To be honest in the situations I could have been doing drugs and alchohol (which would be going to parties) I was probably playing video games so

[Red]

I think this video drives home the point well:
https://youtu.be/b56N17d4WnM?t=25

[Lay Vegan]

I don't disagree, it's just that you can go playing from 1 hour to 2 hours to 3 to 4...

Is that necessarily harmful? Like, is it interfering with your ability to study or keep a job or maintain a relationship? Or does it perhaps act as a form of stress relief and allow you to be more focused the rest of the time? Which video games are we talking about?

In moderated amounts, it might actually be a good thing (it does improve cognitive ability I hear, especially puzzle games like Tetris).

Even if a game isn’t improving your spacial skills or problems solving abilities, it can have utility in that it relieves stress and helps us to be more productive on other activities afterword. Not all games are created equal, and there are obviously games that act as serious stressors, but the same can be said for other forms of media (like the one’s you mentioned).

Music can have good utility as I mentioned in terms of activism and productivity, and television can have a similar one for news, and documentaries, as well as having things to throw in the background (although Television can also have the ability to suck you in as I sort of hinted at).

Music as a whole or individual genres/songs? I’m not sure why anyone would think reading the Chronicles of Narnia or listening to Slipknot could in any way be more “productive” than playing Call of Duty.

P.S. Slipknot is fucking sick

[Red]

Is that necessarily harmful? Like, is it interfering with your ability to study or keep a job or maintain a relationship? Or does it perhaps act as a form of stress relief and allow you to be more focused the rest of the time? Which video games are we talking about?

Again though, if it takes up a lot of your free time, you're gonna be wasting your potential. You could be starting that new business you always wanted or those artistic endeavors you want to pursue.

Even if a game isn’t improving your spacial skills or problems solving abilities, it can have utility in that it relieves stress and helps us to be more productive on other activities afterword. Not all games are created equal, and there are obviously games that act as serious stressors, but the same can be said for other forms of media (like the one’s you mentioned).

well for some people maybe

Music as a whole or individual genres/songs? I’m not sure why anyone would think reading the Chronicles of Narnia or listening to Slipknot could in any way be more “productive” than playing Call of Duty.

Well music can help you 'get in the zone' as some people say. I often get more things done when listening to music. Like WHEN I GET MAH FUCKIN' WORK ON YEEHE

P.S. Slipknot is fucking sick

lol normie