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Messages By: posthoc
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October 12, 2008, 1:22 pm PDT
 As with the title this is the first time I decided to read/post to one of these things. I just watched this episode and wanted to see what others thought. I must say, hopefully without going to far into some off the topic debate, I am reminded of "let he who is without sin cast the first stone".
I think that these people have made poor judgement after poor judgement, but flamming them is not what I am interested in. If Dr. Phil or anyone can answer, I am interested to know whether the bankrupcy is a big "black mark" against an individuals record. And if so, how can one go into debt without the ability to get credit. Which makes me think that bankrupcy, in whatever chapter, is not all that damaging to your credit.
I would like to know what is already in place or what real incentives people have to not overspend in this country, because it seems to me that the root of these problems are that we as a nation incentavise spending (through bankrupcy and the eventual gain of credit back) rather than incentivising saving. Maybe if someone at the public level of Dr. Phil could raise some type of awareness, or gain some type of momentum on incentivising savings, we may be in a better place. |
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October 20, 2008, 7:03 pm PDT
Quote From: lizwool Helllooooo..... If you would read the responses to this topic, a big problem with excessive gaming issues, is that people like you dismiss what others are saying that they are experiencing because of excessive gaming. You link excessive gaming up with watching too much TV. What excessive gaming can do to a person and relationships can be far more extensive that what watching too much TV can do to a person. Many real lives and relationships have been totally ruined because of excessive gaming. Some people, like you, can get back on track, and have some "control" over their gaming. That is GREAT. But, not everyone can. As you say, JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED RUIN IN YOUR LIFE BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE GAMING, DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT OTHERS DON'T!! Not all people are like you! I read this message and although there are some interesting things that you have to say here, your argument very much reminds me of listening to a bunch of people argue over which is worse for your health, smoking cigarettes or smoking pot. Well here is a news flash, neither is that great for you, in the simple common sense fact that inhaling smoke and coughing constantly is probably a sign of something bad.
Excessive television watching is just as bad as excessive gaming, the key word in there being... excessive. Anything in excess is bad, whether it be video games, TV, milk, pizza, shopping, etc. We should all strive for moderation in all things.
Having said that, I would like to put out some of my disagreements to the show. Video gaming has become a popular target over the past few years, mostly due to the popularity increase of online gaming. Where I disagree is that people that play those games are "they" or "them", and must be fake people just acting out their "avatar" in the game. When the reality is that millions of people play these games and I find it hard to believe they are all any more "fake" than the person you meet in a bar or other social event. Many people, if not all, choose to put up a front of who they really are to new people they meet.
This is now the second Dr. Phil show addressing excess video gaming. I want to stress that I do not at all disagree that this is a problem that should be highlighted, and that I do not agree at all with the actions of the guests, but I think that people are always negative to things they do not understand. So understand this, all people who play video games do not lose their jobs, ruin their marriages, and attempt suicide. We need to take responsibility for our own actions, and attempt to live well with the short time we have here. |
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October 21, 2008, 5:14 pm PDT
Quote From: diamondaj The show depicted World of Warcraft as some horrible game which destroys lives. Really? I have read through many of these posts/replies. It seems as if many of the "gamers" are affected by some type of mental disorder or depression. In my opinion (I am no expert) these people who let this game ruin their lives are going to have their lives ruined no matter what unless they have received some type of assistance in dealing with what is really wrong with them. These are the ones who need mental/emotional help for some problem(s) that they are burying and not dealing with. Certain people get obsessed with a variety of things to keep their minds off of other things that are bothering them. I just don't see how people are blaming World of Warcraft/EQ or any other game. There are people who knit all day, people who make crafts all day, people who read all day. Why aren't these people being targeted? These people have the same problem. From my point of view, many of the gamers you guys are talking about seem to be lacking self-esteem and confidence. They play the game to gain this from people whom they don't know in "real life". If the time played is causing marital problems, then look and see what problems existed in the marriage before the game. I am sure that you will find some for no marriage can exist without some problems, whether they be major or minor.
I personally love World of Warcraft. I met my boyfriend playing it. He is a teacher who gets up every morning and goes to work as do I. We spend $15 a month each to play. The game is a huge part of our social life. We could spend easily spend over $50 a night going out to a movie and to dinner or going out to a club. We prefer to stay home and play the game. We do go to see movies, plays, etc. I feel as if my guildies are like a second family and many have grown to become really close friends of mine. I talk to them throughout the day and many know more about me than people I know in "real life". There is a difference between a hardcore raider and a casual player. A hardcore player/raider plays the game competitively to see what content can be conquered preferably before anyone else. A casual player logs on when he/she wants and plays for awhile and then logs off not worried about beating others to the punch if you will. The hardcore raiders are the ones who will play the game everyday for hours on end. The reason they do this is because they have joined a guild who expects them to be on so many days/hours a week in order to raid. If they do not, then they usually are removed from the guild and join a casual guild.
My guild is a mix of both. We do not punish people for not being online, but we do expect them to be on as much as possible during raid times. If we have kids in the guild, we encourage them to do their homework and keep up their grades. I always tell them school before raids. "Real life before WOW". My guildies know they can go out with their spouse and kids and not get chastised over it. I guess what I am trying to get across is that the people who play wow need to know how much time they are going to spend on the game and join a guild that matches their playing schedule. This will make spouses, friends, etc. happy due to the fact that you can set aside days for family days, etc.
I have met many people who have met online playing WOW. They have gotten married and have had kids. Most of the time, these people reduce the amount of time they play, but they do still play when they can. Now, don't get me wrong, I have also seen people get divorced over the game. It does consume a huge part of your life and time. I always tell people to get their spouse to play and when they do, they usually like it. I think as in anything in life people need to be in the right state of mind in order to control their gaming. If they aren't, then they will fall down that slippery slope of depression no matter if it's gaming or any other obsession.
Many people have had their confidence built by playing the game. The game is not "evil" by any means. I have guildies who are ADD, Agoraphobic, who have Turrets. We treat them no differently because of these handicaps. We all have handicaps in my opinion. I have not met anyone who is perfect. WoW is a place to escape and not be judged because of imperfections. It is a place to make friends and possibly build relationships that last a long time. It is a place that can be calming. You can just sit around and fish if you want to. You can run around and pick herbs (flowers/plants). You can just fly around looking at scenery. You can just stand in the middle of town and talk to people. You can ....have fun! I saw 1 person post back to this "you think playing for 80 hours a week is ok?" or something to that effect. To that individual I would like to say that you read none of this post.
And thanks for posting this, although it was long, people need to stop deciding that things are all or none. And that "healthy people" are turned by these games. We are all given the ability to choose our paths. Most will lead you to believe that 9 out of 10 things in this world happen too me and the other 1 is because of me. It is the other way around, you are the cause of your success or your failures in life. |
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