Tagged and Bagged: Computers, Family, Ranting
I was reading a post on Geeks are Sexy and came across this subject.
So, according to Keith Bakker, founder of the Smith and Jones center, a treatment center for gaming addiction, our son is not likely an addict. He’s just into Runescape and Battle for Wesnoth because we’re bad parents. I resemble that comment!
Wesnoth is awesome, and no one should be blamed for becoming addicted to it.
It definitely is a sweet piece of programming. Its an excellent showcase of what a cross platform software can and should be - great!
I’m semi addicted to computer games myself as an older person. When I was growing up, my parents refused to buy me any videogame system. My advice to you Corey is to get Caleb to play a cerebral game like Portal which I just played and loved! Okay, that wasn’t serious advice but a shameless plug but this game is truly unique, witty with its super dry humour and the portal concept does get the brain cells active.
I grew out of computer and console games a long time ago. Sure I had a few favorites and I spent a lot of time some days trying to beat the games but I lose interest fast in them. Games are sort of like alcohol for me, I can have one drink and be done with them til the next time, either a day, week, month, etc.
Having kids myself though, I’m sure I’ll get dragged into playing games again, either computer or console. But I will have rules. All homework is to be completed before any game playing and they will also have to match any time spent with game playing to other activities, like outside, sports or other hobbies that don’t relate to computer games.
I’ll also probably play games with them to be more involved with them and know what they’re playing. Taking an active role with your kids and their interests is huge to myself and wife, even if you have zero interest in their actual interest, it’s all about them until they move out.
My Nephew is hooked on Runescape and plays that for hours on end when he’s here visiting.
Quick unrelated question, Corey…
How do I get an Icon/Avatar when I post? I’m a wordpress guy…. why can’t I have one?
*Harrumph*
Also, I tried reading your blog from the beginning. Got to Feb 2006 when I realized that I’d never ever ever finish.
I think I’ll pick a bunch of posts once in a while to read, and eventually I’ll be all caught up.
I think the icons are from gravatar.com I’d imagine. Although, I think I signed up long ago, put up my own picture to be used and it stopped working. Stupid gravatar.com… I’m too lazy to go check or fix.
@Jordan - Drew’s right. Go and sign up and then upload. You’ll be good to go. I think that you should use the robot cousin. Its awesome! But for now,you get my silly smiley globe. I’m going to have to hack the “recent comments” plugin to display that too.
Gaming addiction is definitely easily cured. I know, because I have been hooked to different types of video games at different points of times and I just outgrew the craze.
I think every game has its shelf-life.
I’m actually starting to get bored of my videogames.
I got bored of video games about 10 years ago and I’m only 30. My 40 something year old boss was trying to get me to play a game so he has more people to play it with, I just couldn’t bring myself to be slightly interested in playing.
I miss the old RPG, they don’t make them like they use to.
Your a bad parent if you kids get addicted to video games? I could see that. Bad parent might be a strong term. But parents shouldn’t be allowing their kids to play video games hours on end. Of course when I say kids, I mean kids. Adults need to be allowed to make their own decisions.