Ayup. After seeing a Frontline special last night on internet addiction, I've decided to shut off the computer-game tap. Wish me luck 
Giving up computer games
- Thread starter Blue Ghost
- Start date
Easterner9504
SOC-13
You have to send all your games to us to go cold turkey. If left in house they'll just call to you.
far-trader
SOC-14 10K
Ayup. After seeing a Frontline special last night on internet addiction, I've decided to shut off the computer-game tap. Wish me luck
Noooo, don't do it Blue Ghost! It's a trap!!
And, ummm, you'll be putting computer game programmers and producers out of business!
You can't not support the economy in these times.
But seriously, all things in moderation. Good luck with reaching your goal. I know some with serious interest in gaming, that might have been bordering on addiction.
I just don't trust Frontline. Aren't they the ones who did the Mountain Dew rots teeth special a little bit back, based on scary denture stories from some mountain town. And all through the special I was screaming at the TV "It ain't the Mountain Dew to blame!! Can't you idiots see it's the constant swilling of the teeth in the stuff all day and evening that's rotting the teeth! Fruit juice would do the same thing if they "drank" it that way too!"
Seriously. Everywhere the camera went (school, work, home) the kids and adults all had a Mountain Dew in their hand, either on the way to the mouth or back down to the table. Yes, even in class! I was boggled that nobody saw the connection. Instead they put it down to "Well Mountain Dew must be some super duper tooth rotter by gum, because all the people here have rotten teeth."
I D I O T Z
I suspect the same "high quality journalism" at play in this latest "The computer will rot your brain with the addicting games and the colored lights and the shazam and baboom and all, just look at these SAT scores! It's obviously because games are addictive." Camera pans across kids with no parental supervision playing games until they pass out from exhaustion. Camera strolls upstairs to mom and dad passed out with Miller cans everywhere. Umm, yeah, obviously the computer games are to blame...
far-trader
SOC-14 10K
Dang! Wish I'd thought of that :nonono:
Umm, say, Easterner, you know, you could lay off the computer games too...
:file_22:
My address is...
Space Hamster
SOC-12
Those people you get this information from would be against you having any fun unless you only do what they think is fun. It does not matter what you enjoy doing (as long as it is not hurting or depriving another) as long as you remain a productive member of society. These are people trying to impose there opinion on you by presenting data in a format to inspire fear into you. An example is you could show how bad jogging is to somebody by showing stats on knee injuries, or traffic deaths related to joggers.
I would ask if you enjoy doing something, and if so do it.
I would ask if you enjoy doing something, and if so do it.
Supplement Four
SOC-14 5K
Well, I know I'm not addicted. I've purchased a lot of video games recently, and I'm not playing a single one.
I just don't wanna. I'm just not in the mood.
I've tried. I started a couple. But, I was just bored (and I do love playing a good video game).
I get like this, sometimes.
I love playing poker, too. Couple of years ago, I was playing just about once a week. About every other week, I drove to Lousiana to play at the casino. The rest of the time, I played with friends. I even ventured into an illegal poker house, played a tourney there, and won.
But something happened. I lost the mood. And, I didn't play for, like, two years. Just now starting to play again a little.
Video games are no different. Sometimes I love 'em. Sometimes, I'd rather read.
I just don't wanna. I'm just not in the mood.
I've tried. I started a couple. But, I was just bored (and I do love playing a good video game).
I get like this, sometimes.
I love playing poker, too. Couple of years ago, I was playing just about once a week. About every other week, I drove to Lousiana to play at the casino. The rest of the time, I played with friends. I even ventured into an illegal poker house, played a tourney there, and won.
But something happened. I lost the mood. And, I didn't play for, like, two years. Just now starting to play again a little.
Video games are no different. Sometimes I love 'em. Sometimes, I'd rather read.
Kaveman Koder
SOC-12
Firstly, if you have any sort of addiction seek help, this Forum isn't the place. No matter what it is drugs, alcohol, WoW you should seek professional help, not make knee-jerk reactions based on TV shows.
If you feel that some activity is taking too much of your time, that's not addition, you just need to cut back. I found this with reading, there was an explosion of SF and Fantasy books available and I became overwhelmed. I was either reading or working, my family and friends suffered, once I realised I had to make choices and discipline myself, I found I had time for all the fun activities.
When you are living a full life, you always have to give something up to do something new. I had to give up another Forum to become active here, because my time is full.
If you feel that some activity is taking too much of your time, that's not addition, you just need to cut back. I found this with reading, there was an explosion of SF and Fantasy books available and I became overwhelmed. I was either reading or working, my family and friends suffered, once I realised I had to make choices and discipline myself, I found I had time for all the fun activities.
When you are living a full life, you always have to give something up to do something new. I had to give up another Forum to become active here, because my time is full.
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Madarin Dude
SOC-13
Well i suggest moderation. I know that video games can become somewhat addictive. when I was living by myself with no car and nothing nearby I was so into oblivion now i have not played any game in weeks. Just find something else to do and enjoy that. If you play video games just do it for a short time only allow and hour or so to play. Don't get wrapped up in online stuff that will soak up all your spare time. Also reading is always a good substitute.
saundby
SOC-14 1K
If you do any socializing with your gaming, you might start to miss that. A potential substitute for not having guildies or clanmates to chitchat with is IRC. You'll want to find a decent group, not a bunch of yahoos. I've enjoyed checking into the forums at irc.sff.net when I'm doing IRC myself. They're a good bunch.
Hey all. Thanks much
I just need to be a bit more productive. I love games, and some of the escapist qualities they provide, but I do need to cut back a great deal. Tonight is my first night of going "Cold Turkey"
I just need to be a bit more productive. I love games, and some of the escapist qualities they provide, but I do need to cut back a great deal. Tonight is my first night of going "Cold Turkey"
saundby
SOC-14 1K
Hope it goes well. I presume you have other hobbies, and other folks around you to spend time with. I don't really play or get excited about computer games any more. Though on the evenings when I'm home by myself I often wish I had some game I could fill an hour or two per week with.
Problem is, they either require too much money for little play (MMORPGs), or aren't suited to off-and-on-again casual play (shooters, RPGs.) Seeing a deck of cards onscreen literally puts me to sleep nowadays, too. And too many casual games don't hold up to repeated play for me, just one or two intense sessions (e.g. frozen bubble.)
So now I either do coding on projects that are easy to pick up again after a week or two's absence, or turn on music and read, or, recently I've started buying sets of DVDs just for me to watch, so I don't have to worry about watching them without the family. Currently I'm working my way through the show that, when I was 9, I was born to watch: Ultraman.
Problem is, they either require too much money for little play (MMORPGs), or aren't suited to off-and-on-again casual play (shooters, RPGs.) Seeing a deck of cards onscreen literally puts me to sleep nowadays, too. And too many casual games don't hold up to repeated play for me, just one or two intense sessions (e.g. frozen bubble.)
So now I either do coding on projects that are easy to pick up again after a week or two's absence, or turn on music and read, or, recently I've started buying sets of DVDs just for me to watch, so I don't have to worry about watching them without the family. Currently I'm working my way through the show that, when I was 9, I was born to watch: Ultraman.
Good luck.
A lack of moderation in an activity may or may not indicate, in my experience, addictive/compulsive behavior. It comes down to the individual's unique makeup. The real question is whether the activity takes up more time/energy than you want it to, despite repeated attempts to moderate. One person's acceptable level may be enough to send another onto a bender.
A lack of moderation in an activity may or may not indicate, in my experience, addictive/compulsive behavior. It comes down to the individual's unique makeup. The real question is whether the activity takes up more time/energy than you want it to, despite repeated attempts to moderate. One person's acceptable level may be enough to send another onto a bender.
spinwardpirate
SOC-13
More power to ya! If you see it as something taking you in a direction you'd rather not go, and you can ditch it cold turkey, then bravo.
Me, I never really touch the stuff. Well... ok, I have a PS3, and play some stuff on that, but these online "rpgs" have never held any fascination for me.
Me, I never really touch the stuff. Well... ok, I have a PS3, and play some stuff on that, but these online "rpgs" have never held any fascination for me.
I guess it was more than just the Frontline special. I realized that I need to write more and play less.
Truth is I do get addicted to some games, but not others. When under stress I do a lot of computer gaming. It's electronic booze
But the same goes for reading books, doing school work, or anything else I delve into.
Ack! Time to go be productive :smirk:
Truth is I do get addicted to some games, but not others. When under stress I do a lot of computer gaming. It's electronic booze
But the same goes for reading books, doing school work, or anything else I delve into.Ack! Time to go be productive :smirk:
addiction is a strong word
I agree with samuelvss. Previous generations had card games, and board games...etc. I recall the wife and I doing wolfenstein, duke nukem and doom till the we hours all the time. It could be a phase. In times of recession and whatever escape becomes all the more important.
So... Everything in moderation.
I guess it was more than just the Frontline special. I realized that I need to write more and play less.
Truth is I do get addicted to some games, but not others. When under stress I do a lot of computer gaming. It's electronic booze
Ack! Time to go be productive :smirk:
I agree with samuelvss. Previous generations had card games, and board games...etc. I recall the wife and I doing wolfenstein, duke nukem and doom till the we hours all the time. It could be a phase. In times of recession and whatever escape becomes all the more important.
So... Everything in moderation.
SuperGamera
SOC-6
I already went through my online RPG addiction phase, back in the 90's with MUDs. Seems like a lot of the things going on with WOW and others are the same issues from back then, just on a larger scale and with graphics.
Now I know that should be wary of poker games with Traveller players here in Houston.
Now I know that should be wary of poker games with Traveller players here in Houston.
Well, I fell off the wagon with a couple of rounds of Stronghold Crusader Extreme, but after two tries at one map I went to bed. Not bad
It wasn't the "evening extravaganza of computer gaming!!!" (insert echo effect). :grin:
It wasn't the "evening extravaganza of computer gaming!!!" (insert echo effect). :grin:
Supplement Four
SOC-14 5K
Hey all. Thanks much
I just need to be a bit more productive. I love games, and some of the escapist qualities they provide, but I do need to cut back a great deal.
I understand what you mean. I get like that when I don't set hard deadlines. If I don't set up in my planner "Tonight, I work on THIS", it's too easy to get there and say, "Naw, I feel like a good game. I'll do that later."
Once I set up a specific night to do a specific thing, though, it's no problem. It's in my head all week that that night will be a work night. Gaming (or anything else) is out of the question.
So, when I have projects, I take a look at how like they will take me, and I look at my planner. And, then I just set up some work nights to get the project done.
