If you don't know how to work it, don't start throwing opinions around. He seems a bit... trolly here.
Barack Obama said something unflattering about video games.
- Thread starter Sewblon
- Start date
Recommended Videos
Tell him you'll take him up on the offer if he can in some way guarantee a high paying and secure job once you get a degree.SimuLord said:
Money talks.
But so many western governments have been selling this bullshit, that any degree is better than no degree. Well that might have been true before, it certainly isn't true now. I recently dropped a biochemistry degree partly because it was a "dead end degree" only worth shit as a masters or if it leads onto a PhD. Now taking Diagnostic Radiography, huge employment prospects.
It's simple economics, we don't need THAT many English degrees or historians, we need technicians, scientist, financial auditors, people who actually CONTRIBUTE to the economy and society!
And who the hell has EVER dismissed an artist because they don't have a University Degree in Art History!?!?!? If it's good, it's good.
Please stay home, I shudder to think what would happen if Palin won. Although China is already going to take us over anyways.SimuLord said:
OT: It's certainly unflatteing, but what we need to do (unfortunatly) is to show the government that we can handle video games. If we don't we may have our games censored.
That...really wasn't a criticism of video games, guys. He talking about the sheer amount of information, entertainment, and consumption available these days being a distraction to those who will let themselves get lost in the shuffle. Far, far, far and away what he is criticizing more is information becoming entertainment, and truth taking a backseat to marketability. That's reasonable.
A lot of these news stories involving video games...well, I'm started to be reminded of extremist gun nuts. You see a news article. You see video games, and then you see discussion of something bad. And immediately, everyone starts going to town with a tomahawk, crying outrage over how foolish these game haters are. Its entirely possible to have bad things exist, and yet be connected to video gaming in some tertiary way. It's even possible for video games to include something bad. That's completely natural. I think that we here want to see everyone giving a nuanced, thoughtful, pertinent discussion of the cultural ramifications of video games and video game culture. Sometimes, people in positions of importance want to talk about things besides video games. Sometimes the reference to a video game is just an anecdote. When you hit the mainstream, it's going to happen.
A lot of these news stories involving video games...well, I'm started to be reminded of extremist gun nuts. You see a news article. You see video games, and then you see discussion of something bad. And immediately, everyone starts going to town with a tomahawk, crying outrage over how foolish these game haters are. Its entirely possible to have bad things exist, and yet be connected to video gaming in some tertiary way. It's even possible for video games to include something bad. That's completely natural. I think that we here want to see everyone giving a nuanced, thoughtful, pertinent discussion of the cultural ramifications of video games and video game culture. Sometimes, people in positions of importance want to talk about things besides video games. Sometimes the reference to a video game is just an anecdote. When you hit the mainstream, it's going to happen.
I don't know how unflattering a statement like that is. I was half expecting him to say video games make people more violent, or that they are the reason kids are fat, blah blah blah. I think the OP's title is a little overstated.
What he said really is true. Video Games are a distraction, and we have to keep that in mind. Particularly when you think about the fact that electronics are now accepted and welcomed in classrooms. (They were not when I went to school) With casual games abundantly available to play, it's easy to start off with good intentions by bringing your laptop to class, and end up playing Plants vs. Zombies all class long.
I think this is a message that people should take to heart. Just be aware of how easy it is to lose yourself in these things. It isn't just video games either, but I think that's why he mentioned the iPod to be more inclusive to the electronic gadgetry that is currently fighting for our attention.
And this is a commencement speech, not a political speech. Speakers generally focus on how important it is to make the most of your education, whether they are politicians or Bill Cosby. It doesn't surprise me one bit that he says focus is important in education.
Of all the gripes to have about Obama, this is pretty damned low on the list.
What he said really is true. Video Games are a distraction, and we have to keep that in mind. Particularly when you think about the fact that electronics are now accepted and welcomed in classrooms. (They were not when I went to school) With casual games abundantly available to play, it's easy to start off with good intentions by bringing your laptop to class, and end up playing Plants vs. Zombies all class long.
I think this is a message that people should take to heart. Just be aware of how easy it is to lose yourself in these things. It isn't just video games either, but I think that's why he mentioned the iPod to be more inclusive to the electronic gadgetry that is currently fighting for our attention.
And this is a commencement speech, not a political speech. Speakers generally focus on how important it is to make the most of your education, whether they are politicians or Bill Cosby. It doesn't surprise me one bit that he says focus is important in education.
Of all the gripes to have about Obama, this is pretty damned low on the list.
I like Obama and hes apparently a huge portal fan so I doubt hes all out against games, hes just ignorant to what games really are (most his age and older are) If he actually does anything to act against games then we should be worried. I highly doubt that would happen so thers probably no need for concern.
Except hes right.
Let alone the definition of entertainment is something that distracts you from the mundane every day to day....Hes right in that Americans are letting them selves be distracted constantly with entertainment and ipods, and xboxes by definition are being used for their purpose all the time.
People are no longer hard working in the country willing to put in the hours regardless of the benefit.
People need to get off their duffs specially those in this thread trying to make out all he talked about was video games. He was simply using the highest popularity stuff but Obama meant pretty much most forms of entertainment.
Americans are seeking too much of an escape instead of doing hard work to bring things back to flourish in this country.
Let alone the definition of entertainment is something that distracts you from the mundane every day to day....Hes right in that Americans are letting them selves be distracted constantly with entertainment and ipods, and xboxes by definition are being used for their purpose all the time.
People are no longer hard working in the country willing to put in the hours regardless of the benefit.
People need to get off their duffs specially those in this thread trying to make out all he talked about was video games. He was simply using the highest popularity stuff but Obama meant pretty much most forms of entertainment.
Americans are seeking too much of an escape instead of doing hard work to bring things back to flourish in this country.
In all Obama doesn't bad mouth video games so much as he says that technology is becoming a distraction from education and students need to set priorities which is a true and reasonable statement
I find it mildly amusing that, in commenting on gaming, Obama's got a whole bunch of gamers to to stop gaming for a bit, to waste their time commenting on political issues when they could have been learning stuff. 
Also, if Obama can spin enough bullshit to get Republicans thinking he's on their side and get in again, go for it, most people know politicians will pretty much say anything to get votes after all.
I haven't followed the US stuff so much, but at present, we all need someone in power willing to do unpopular things, and with the state of the world financially, I think we're going to be locked in a spiral of repeatedly being dissatisfied with the leader and voting a new one in, which of course will be damaging to any long term plans. I also think lying is the only way forward for politicians, as we need people to increase taxes and cut spending, and no-one's getting votes with that plan. If I got voted in, I'd go 'right,screw you all, I lied, this is how it's going to be for four years, it's for your own good.' (and then I'd be assassinated in my first week, but you can't win em all)
At least you guys don't have the UK system, where, bear with me on this, the 3rd party got nearly a quarter of the votes, but only 5% of the available seats in power, and yet pretty much have the power to decide who gets to move into number 10.
Also, if Obama can spin enough bullshit to get Republicans thinking he's on their side and get in again, go for it, most people know politicians will pretty much say anything to get votes after all.
I haven't followed the US stuff so much, but at present, we all need someone in power willing to do unpopular things, and with the state of the world financially, I think we're going to be locked in a spiral of repeatedly being dissatisfied with the leader and voting a new one in, which of course will be damaging to any long term plans. I also think lying is the only way forward for politicians, as we need people to increase taxes and cut spending, and no-one's getting votes with that plan. If I got voted in, I'd go 'right,screw you all, I lied, this is how it's going to be for four years, it's for your own good.' (and then I'd be assassinated in my first week, but you can't win em all
)At least you guys don't have the UK system, where, bear with me on this, the 3rd party got nearly a quarter of the votes, but only 5% of the available seats in power, and yet pretty much have the power to decide who gets to move into number 10.
What? I voted for him for a lot of reasons and though you probably won't believe this, race wasn't one of them. I voted for him because he'd been my senator before he ran for president and did good work. I voted for him because I believed he would try to reform health care (finance wasn't on any of our radars at that time). Not that he'd do it, but that he'd try. I know these things are not all up to the president, but I believed he wanted that reform and that he would fight hard for it. He has done that. And I voted for him because he was not Republican.cousinletsgobowling said:
I'm not naive enough to expect any political candidate to 100% agree with me on every topic that matters to me. I am however, discriminating enough to vote for the candidate that agrees with me the most. We all have some issues we do not waiver on and he agrees with me on my nonnegotiable issues.
And what did he say exactly?
"With iPods and iPads; Xboxes and PlayStations -- none of which I know how to work -- information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation,"
Ever watched the 24-hour news channels? How many stories are presented on the screen at once? And hell yes games are distracting. I've read alot of posts on this site about the sun coming up while gaming and the person writing not being aware of how much time had past; or of putting off schoolwork to do a game. I've experienced both on many occasions. That's the thing about facts, they can used in all kinds of situations, but they still don't change.
Many have said this in this thread before me - so someone said something that could be interpreted as not totally flattering about video games - that's your biggest problem with the person? That's the most offensive thing someone could say or do to you? If so, you're living one hell of a sweet life and I want some of that.
He is saying that video games cause entertainment. Also, entertainment can be distracting to people who are trying to work or learn.
Did he realize this now, or just after he got his frontal lobotomy?
and if you think about it pretty much everything ever counts as entertainment no really think about it its true
Did he realize this now, or just after he got his frontal lobotomy?
and if you think about it pretty much everything ever counts as entertainment no really think about it its true
Haha, understood. I just wanted to make sure you actually voted. Kudos to you for doing so. I'm actually a poly sci major...which might have something to do with it.Yureina said:
Edit: I guess I should also mention how I feel about the actual story too. All I have to say is that he's the president and a politician. Statements like this are par for the course...it doesn't bother me that much.
Obama and all of his appointees dont like videogames because "they make people fat". last time I checked you dont get a high calorie intake by playing videogames you do that by making poor dietary decisions.
Anyone who is surprised by his viewpoint on videogames should pull their respective heads out of their respective asses because this has been said over and over and over again.
Anyone who is surprised by his viewpoint on videogames should pull their respective heads out of their respective asses because this has been said over and over and over again.