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Benedict Arnold

Are you gamer?

For a while now I see and hear many people identify themselves as Gamers.
To a degree, there's a certain element of pride in such a self identification. As if saying, "yeah! I play video games and you don't." 
As if there's some sort of merit associated with the ability to spend countless hours Diabloing yourself with Mario thru the Skyrim universe.
What if I said, "Im not a gamer but I can watch the hell out of some TV!!"
Why is it not the same?
Or is it?

Posted - January 17, 2017
Tags : None

Responses


  • They seem kind of the same to me, but then again, not really. I'll take the t.v., though I do enjoy some Mario Kart/Double Dash, but haven't played in many months. Nah, I'm not a gamer.

    There are definitely some proud gamers out there.
      January 17, 2017 9:46 PM MST
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  •  That's a good one. Yes I confess to my, Mario Kart period.
    I think it is interesting and I wonder when that became cool to say.
    Like saying, "you should have seen it, I played for twenty hours straight!"
    And that's cool. But if I said that I spent twenty hours watching Matlock, I'll probably be looked at as weird.
    You know?
      January 17, 2017 9:54 PM MST
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  • Gaming isn't as widely accepted as a normal past time like television has been. A woman actually told me that I would never amount to anything because I was too immature as I still play video games at age 26 and at the same time, she was talking about two of her favorite tv series. Rude...

    Television and gaming are basically the exact same thing. They are both designed to entertain and to take your mind off of the events of reality. They both allow us to go through adventures that would never be possible in reality. The difference being that, in gaming, we control the adventure and can actively participate in it. We gamers add passion into our past times. It's a way of life and we are proud of it! 

    I am a gamer. It is not that I have chosen not to live my life; it is that I have chosen to live many. I wrote this blog post awhile back to answer the question as to why we gamers love what we do. Check it out!

    http://dewchronicles.blogspot.com/2015/05/destinys-architect.html?m=1 This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at January 17, 2017 11:03 PM MST
      January 17, 2017 9:59 PM MST
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  • The proud part is what I don't understand. The vicarious way of living an adventure I get.
    When the A Team is riding around in their super awesome van, it is me driving it. I get that. But I am not sure if, after a Saturday night marathon watch, pride is the feeling I take with me. 
    It is more a feeling of, "Damm, I can't believe I spent ten hours on that."

      January 18, 2017 10:36 AM MST
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  • As an ex-gamer (I didn't think it appropriate for someone in their late 30s to spend 12 hours straight playing Grand Theft Auto) I'm inclined to agree. It was a spectacular if highly enjoyable waste of time. It could be that it was getting in the way of other ways to waste time, who knows. )
    But if there was a challenge involved, problems to solve in order to progress, I stuck at it doggedly. That's where the difference lies, the interactivity. But I suppose there's a comparison with binging on porn. Gaming becomes routine and all you're doing is shooting something different.

    But I do like what Corey has said here, about choosing to live many lives. I don't know if that is the case with me but I'm sympathetic to the idea.

    There was a TV show when I was a child. I can't remember what it was called but the opening credits had children telling you to 'get off the sofa and do something less boring instead'. But you had to watch the show. Kind of ironic, yes? )



    This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at January 18, 2017 4:49 AM MST
      January 18, 2017 3:57 AM MST
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  • Ironic?
    Perhaps in the sense of a pacifist, globalist, anti corporation, anti guns, advocate running around pulling people from their cars and smacking his ho's, yes. I would say so. A little bit.
    (I say thin in the spirit of humor, not critique, of course)
      January 18, 2017 10:45 AM MST
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  • 19937
    I have never played an on line game.
      January 18, 2017 7:30 AM MST
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  • 3463
    That will give you something to do when you retire.
      January 18, 2017 10:15 AM MST
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  • 19937
    I'd like to think I'll be doing something a bit more worthwhile. :) This post was edited by SpunkySenior at January 18, 2017 10:37 AM MST
      January 18, 2017 10:25 AM MST
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  • 3463
    They are a great time filler when you don't feel like doing something worthwhile like playing on here for instance LOL.
      January 18, 2017 10:32 AM MST
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  • Very good point!
    Is there a difference between spending five hours playing Little Big Planet (an awesome game, btw), and spending five hours here??? Great point. Thanks.
      January 18, 2017 10:39 AM MST
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  • 3463
    No not really. Both are a great way to escape when you want to get away from it all without leaving the house.
      January 18, 2017 10:54 AM MST
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  • I do like it when people bring angles to a discussion that I have not thought about. It is like finding money to me. I find it incredibly ridiculous when parents criticise their kids for playing games, but spend a whole Saturday and Monday night watching football, or soccer, or basketball, . . .
      January 18, 2017 11:01 AM MST
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  • 19937
    I already spend too much time playing on here.  :)
      January 18, 2017 10:45 AM MST
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  • 3463
    I do several things at once.
    I play on here for a little bit, then go play a game, then go do something constructive and then play some more.
      January 18, 2017 10:58 AM MST
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  • 19937
    Sounds good.  I'm looking forward to retiring. :)
      January 18, 2017 2:14 PM MST
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  • 3463
    Yes I am. It's a great way for me to relax and relieve stress.
      January 18, 2017 10:14 AM MST
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  • Whats your favorite game??
      January 18, 2017 10:40 AM MST
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  • 3463
    I have several games I really like, but my favorite is The Sims2.
    Right now I am addicted to a FB game called Toanga Farm. It keeps me busy.
      January 18, 2017 11:00 AM MST
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  • I tried one of those farming games, but they require some serious commitment I think I got as far as getting a little doggie for my farm. 
    I remember playing SIM City and Minecraft. Oh and some sort of bridge building game. 
    Now I play ChessMaster. It makes me feel like im doin something important even if it is basically the same thing. )
    Thanks for responding, L.
      January 18, 2017 11:08 AM MST
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  • 46117
    The last game I played was Pac Man once.  I worked for a Patent Law firm.   They did the patent on Pac Man games.  I just don't care one iota about computer games.
      January 18, 2017 10:56 AM MST
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  • I remember dropping quarters to play that at the ARCADE!
    Damm. That was a long time ago.
    Thanks S.
      January 20, 2017 11:36 AM MST
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  • "I'm not sure."

        A GAMER IS
    1. a player who is game; especially. 
    2. an athlete who relishes competition.
    3. a person who plays games, especially computer or video games.
    4. In the United Kingdom, the term "gaming" can also refer to legalized gambling.
    5. a devoted player of electronic games.
    6. a player who plays video games.
    7. a hobbyist or individual that enjoys playing various types of digital or online games.
      January 18, 2017 11:35 AM MST
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  • You're making this too difficult man.
      January 18, 2017 2:49 PM MST
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