posted
Are there some forms of entertainment that is inherently better than others?
I ask this because I've been spending a large amount of time playing an online game (MMORPG). Lately I've been spending several hours a day playing. I don't think I'm addicted because I haven't been neglecting anything important in order to indulge. (My first sign of addiction). It's just that my current schedule and commitments allow me large blocks of free time.
Now, some people I've spoken to wonder how I could waste my time when there are "so many other things I could be doing". My question is what difference does it make how I entertain myself? I believe there are benefits and sacrifices in just about every conceivable way of spending your time. Is going to an art museum inherently better than playing poker with friends? Is watching the discovery channel inherently better than watching The Sopranos? Is going to an arthouse film inherently better than watching the lastest summer blockbuster special-effects extravaganza? Is riding a bike better than reading a book? I submit that if you enjoy it, you don't neglect more important responsibilities for it, it's legal, and it doesn't harm others then "have at it!".
posted
I can't disagree with that. If you enjoy it, and you're entertained, then what business is it to anyone else?
Now, if they're saying they want to do something with you (and you enjoy their company), then they might have a say in how go about entertaining yourselves.
Posts: 159 | Registered: Jun 2004
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posted
I know I've felt worse after several hours of gaming than I did before I started. Generally that's because I knew I'd rather be doing something else and would enjoy it more but I took the easy way out and played a game.
Other than avoiding that, go crazy.
Posts: 3243 | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
I find, as a married man with a pregnant wife, that it is not physically POSSIBLE for me to spend more than three hours a week playing computer games.
And, yes, I would argue that some forms of entertainment are inherently more enriching than others. Playing City of Heroes will neither make you healthier, smarter, nor more social; it will not broaden your horizons. After the first few hours, it won't even function properly as escapism -- but rather becomes a kind of treadmill.
posted
I've thought about the same thing myself, many times. I mean is reading a book inherently inferior or superior to watching TV? I mean yeah they trigger different brain patterns but entertainment is entertainment?
And I'm horrible about picking up a book and reading til 3 in the morning on a work night. I admit my productivity suffers. I personally like a lot of my entertainment to be somewhat productive though I don't think reading is. Now in addition to my book addiction (and I just spent way too much on some new books at Border's) I've also started getting addicted to making this website.
I claim to hate code and programming, but I think it is because I know that if I actually did it frequently enougy to be proficient I would be addicted and use it as a form of entertianment. It is happening with this website.
So yeah I guess you could call it "productive" entertainment or recreation, but it is still recreation for me not work.
posted
It all depends on the moment. Sometimes you're just not at all in the mood for an artsy film, and you're craving a nice, mindless action flick. Sometimes you want to read something deep and substantial, and sometimes Reader's Digest sounds just about right.
Although I admit that's probably the ranting of a lazy mind. I would get a lot more done if I applied myself more often to more substantial projects. But after a day spent slinging words at the computer screen, the last thing I want to do is wrestle with difficult concepts. My mind is tired, and simpler entertainment is just perfect.
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
I love video games, but I don't think that they do me much good. Reading is a much more productive endeavor for me, and I still read a lot.
But right now I play CoH about 10-12 hours a week. I am very impressed with it, and I enjoy the team structure of the groups I game with. It is fun.
But I believe that you have to continue to broaden your horizons throughout your lifetime or you become stale; and CoH won't help improve my mind, of teach me much that applies in the outside world. It doesn't teach me new skills.
So I think that mindless entertainment has it's place, but it shouldn't be the only pastime you have.
BTW, KarlEd, if you spend so much time playing, why aren't you ever on Virtue? Victor Steele is on my list, but I have never sen him...lol.
posted
Stupid me? Karl never wrote back to say if he was following you and studying there or sitting back and studying now and so none of you actually left.
So clearly this is wanker-mage and stumpy-lads fault.
Posts: 3243 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Man, it's been a long time since I've checked this mailbox. Just to clear things up for me. We've got Mission, Sa'id and Garyth heading back the way we came down the tunnel and Farron sitting here studying? Or is his studying going to take place once we settle down to rest and so he's leaving with those three?
And, of course, Cadfael and Rennik have yet to do anything.
Unless you've secretly emailed your turn to Slash, you're still stupid.
[ June 04, 2004, 12:48 PM: Message edited by: Scott R ]
Posts: 14554 | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
Anything that enriches your mind is superior entertainment. Many things that enrich you in other ways (for instance, physically or with money) can also be considered superior entertainment.
I do a lot of things that many people would find stultifyingly boring, but in which I find vast territory for deep thought--building star systems with GURPS Space, for instance. Any medium that helps you do that--and it can be different for each of us; even City of Heroes might help some people with it--is time well spent, unless you're neglecting social, physical, or financial needs. Human beings are intellectual creatures, and there's not a thing wrong with enhancing the noosphere.
Posts: 1114 | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
This "wanker-mage" has said that he intends to study a spell and is doing so. Whether than is right there on the spot or some few yards back down the tunnel is immaterial. If the fact that I haven't specifically stated where he is studying has brought the game to a screeching halt, I think we've reached a new low in game play.
As for Tom's reply:
quote: And, yes, I would argue that some forms of entertainment are inherently more enriching than others. Playing City of Heroes will neither make you healthier, smarter, nor more social; it will not broaden your horizons. After the first few hours, it won't even function properly as escapism -- but rather becomes a kind of treadmill.
Healthier? What if it leads to less snacking because it's harder to snack at the computer than while watching TV? Smarter? Well, getting a team to cooperate and work together can be challenging and can help you develop those skills in some ways. More social? Than what? I get more social interaction from CoH than from, say, Solitaire. Hatrack, on the other hand, gives me more social interaction, but with the atmosphere here lately, Hatrack may be the very reason CoH has GREAT appeal to me right now.
As for not being on Virtue, add GlamazonWarrior to your list. I'll be on tonight as her. I also have an 18 lvl Hank Blazer, on Freedom, and a 15 lvl, Joe Medic, on Liberty. Why don't I just stay on one server? Well, I have game pals on the other servers too, which belies that there is some social aspect to playing (Tom).
Posts: 6394 | Registered: Dec 1999
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I think it works pretty well as escapism. I think there's a lot more fun to the game than just blasting bad guys. Creating the characters is tons of fun (I have 7, 5 of which I actively play) and sometimes it's escapist fun to just fly around the zones (or bounce if you've got superjump.) And Chris and I went on a photo safari the other day, taking snapshots of each other in front of some of the cooler landmarks. And it's interesting that you mention treadmills. There's an activity that would conceivably make me healthier but I would find an incredible waste of time. Posts: 6394 | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
Karl, it sounds to me like you were less interested in hearing our opinions than in eliciting encouragment. Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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