How do I convince her games have merit?
- Thread starter cairocat
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Just make her watch extra credits. If at the end of all that, she still thinks that games are evil, then you are screwed.
Or you could inquire as to what you are addicted to of the games, and wh ythey make you anti social and etc. maybe she'll realize she's being ignorant?
[sub]people never realize their ignorance...[/sub]
Or you could inquire as to what you are addicted to of the games, and wh ythey make you anti social and etc. maybe she'll realize she's being ignorant?
[sub]people never realize their ignorance...[/sub]
Tell her or, better yet, show her that you are actually learning something from the games. Weather it's dexterity or artwork or whatever you've learn. Also, there is a proven study that people who play games don't gain as much weight sitting around as people who watch T.V. because your hands are too busy playing to be eating.
As much as I would like to say call her an idiot and rapidly attack her with facts, i've got to go with the whole extra credits idea. The websites other people mentioned should work aswell.
Ask her what grand activity she's accomplishing in her free time that is expanding her horizon's, building character, and changing the world? Once she stops talking point out that she can't really criticize how you spend your free time if she's wasting hers as well.
Ask her: What evidence gave you the idea that video games are mind killing? What would she rather have you do?
Honestly, I do not think you can do anything about it. Although I got to ask, were is your dad on this?
Honestly, I do not think you can do anything about it. Although I got to ask, were is your dad on this?
tell her that videogames fit right into the right of free speech, and are an interactive entertainment medium that are rapidly overtaking movies in overall sales. Tell her that when people try and pin murders on videogames, that's just them trying to find a quick solution to something, and mostly they don't like videogames because they ARE within the rights of free speech, and they can't activly regulate it. 10 hours isn't an addiction, that's still in the "hobbie, not an obsession" area. and besides, playing videogames online is just like chatting on the net, or talking on the phone.
Ignore her. Play videos whenever you want, and if she tries to stop you, just ignore her. At some point she's gonna have to let go and let you take responsibility for your own actions. Better sooner than later.
Zero Pattern said:
All the programs dealing with gaming addicting are really ineffective and generally have a high turnover rate. Meaning, most people who are deemed "cured" go back to gaming nearly 24/7. Really, the only way you can call it an addiction is if it's affecting your behavior and wellbeing. For example, the OP plays 10 hours a week, and I'm guessing he gets fairly average grades, bathes, eats and sleeps. That would not be called an addiction as defined by the DSM. However, there are some people who flunk out of school/get fired from their job, don't bathe, or eat and sleep much or at all because they're playing games all the time. This meets the criteria for an addiction as defined by the DSM.
The above is a very simplified explanation, and there are a lot of variations on criteria for disorders, but this gives you the general idea.
Tell her that online multiplayer games are the modern equivalent of team sports. They promote working together as a team, celebrating success or failure as a group, friendly rivalry, and promote discussion of shared events at school later. In short, they enhance your social skills rather than reduce them.
On the other hand, there's no chance of you getting injured or paralysed for life while playing video games. You're not hanging out god-knows-where with god-knows-who doing god-knows-what at all hours. She knows exactly where you are and who you're with and what you're doing, and that you're safe.
And if she raises the spectre of violence in video games please remind her that almost every boy in school plays video games, and that if there were any truth to that sterotype there would be blood on the streets every day and she'd be scared to let you go to school at all. Grand Theft Auto - one of the games singled out by nutjobs and the media for it's violence - sold millions of copies - it made over a billion US dolars in revenue in its first weekend on sale - more than any movie in history. If there was anything to worry about the courts would be full of murderers claiming that "GTA made me do it" and there'd be a world-wide outcry. Instead the fuss all occurred before the game was released, and was based on the opinions of ONE or TWO people who had never played it and seemed to think that viewing a few sexually-themed images would destroy young minds - images that were less risque than anything seen on Cable TV (or sometimes even regular TV - have you watched commercials recently?? - and the game features toons after all).
The truth is that the overwhelming majority of gamers are highly intelligent, high performing (games are goal oriented after all), and non-violent in the extreme (we're GEEKS for heavens sake). Most gamers are high earners too, and the majority are professionals (in my experience - nearly ALL my fellow computer programmers play games - some even build them).
I think limiting your game time to ten hours a week is one thing. Banning you from playing is hardly going to motivate you to do anything positive. Develop depression? Maybe. Lose a common interest with your friends? Probably. But nothing positive. Tell her you love her and ask her to reconsider for the sake of your social relationships and then work your butt off to prove that you CAN do well in school and play games responsibly. Good luck.
On the other hand, there's no chance of you getting injured or paralysed for life while playing video games. You're not hanging out god-knows-where with god-knows-who doing god-knows-what at all hours. She knows exactly where you are and who you're with and what you're doing, and that you're safe.
And if she raises the spectre of violence in video games please remind her that almost every boy in school plays video games, and that if there were any truth to that sterotype there would be blood on the streets every day and she'd be scared to let you go to school at all. Grand Theft Auto - one of the games singled out by nutjobs and the media for it's violence - sold millions of copies - it made over a billion US dolars in revenue in its first weekend on sale - more than any movie in history. If there was anything to worry about the courts would be full of murderers claiming that "GTA made me do it" and there'd be a world-wide outcry. Instead the fuss all occurred before the game was released, and was based on the opinions of ONE or TWO people who had never played it and seemed to think that viewing a few sexually-themed images would destroy young minds - images that were less risque than anything seen on Cable TV (or sometimes even regular TV - have you watched commercials recently?? - and the game features toons after all).
The truth is that the overwhelming majority of gamers are highly intelligent, high performing (games are goal oriented after all), and non-violent in the extreme (we're GEEKS for heavens sake). Most gamers are high earners too, and the majority are professionals (in my experience - nearly ALL my fellow computer programmers play games - some even build them).
I think limiting your game time to ten hours a week is one thing. Banning you from playing is hardly going to motivate you to do anything positive. Develop depression? Maybe. Lose a common interest with your friends? Probably. But nothing positive. Tell her you love her and ask her to reconsider for the sake of your social relationships and then work your butt off to prove that you CAN do well in school and play games responsibly. Good luck.
If she has made up her mind then there is little that can be done to change a female opinion. However, if she is still willing to have a debate about it then explain to her rationally and calmly why you think gaming with your friends is an actual social behavior and that is a big part of who you are. If she still doesn't like it then try an cop a plea bargain. If that won't work..well then you are buggered till you get to go to university.
Yeah, I'm sure showing his mum a game where you help a woman take a shower for 5 minutes (several times I believe) is going to improve the overall situation.Furious Styles said:
OT: Bring up a bunch of studies.
If she doesn't believe you then, smack her upside the head.