Obama: "Turn off the video games and pick up a book."

[The_Emperor]

he's right tbh parents should monitor how much gaming their children do.

I'd like the propose that he put down the bankers wang, spit or swallow, and then do something about the 14,000,000,000,000 that America apparently owes to the fed.

Something like audit the fed to find out where the hell all the money is going that they supposedly need to pay back.

Where does it go when the fed has it? to the subsidiary banks that make up the fed? does someone own the fed? does the fed have shareholders that take the money? does it just dissapear?

 

[Spookimitsu]

*snip*

It's not the first time Obama has discussed his nation's gaming habits. In 2009, he encouraged parents to get their kids to "step away from the video games and spend more time playing outside", whilst last year he raised concerns about gaming and technology "distracting" kids during their eduction.

However, he can see some upsides to gaming, too. Ten months ago he publicly applauded a scheme created to help US children forge a career in video games design.

Proof that our nation could probably use better reading skills. The whole article took me maybe forty-five seconds.

The amount of win and ownage almost brings tears to my eyes, and should be commended. You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar

 

[Knusper]

Also, since his coments about The Falklands and Argentina, My opinion of him has lowered, so I'm less inclined to agree with him.

Why? What did he say?

O.T. Well some people do game too much, but can I just read at day and game by night?

 

[Dexiro]

Games educate and tell stories sometimes better than books. So better advice would be to turn off the video games and go outside or spend sometime with Dad.

Sorry what? Games tell stories differently than books and yes certain stories are better communicated through games. Books and games are completely different experiences, people need to experience both worlds and see the stories that both have to offer. (this message goes out to a lot of people on this thread)

One benefit that reading has is increasing your creativity, due to the imagination needed to bring the text to life, and of course it can also increase your comprehension and vocabulary.

To conclude my advice is to experience all aspects of media. Play games, watch movies, read books, they all hold different experiences.

 

[quantumsoul]

I hate this "one or the other" bullshit. I like to do both. Why can't people encourage books without telling them to give up other story telling mediums that they love.

 

[BiscuitTrouser]

I don't get this.

As others have said, why not say "Turn off the game and go outside?" Video games are hardly worse than books are. I would say get the kids some exercise instead of replacing sitting down in front of a TV for more sitting down.

All this really says is that Video games are somehow worse than books are. And that's an outright lie. They're different, but certainly not worse.

And he never said that. He MEANT different. Different as in reading a book can teach you about cultures, vocabulary, teach you to think about the world outside your room, it builds imagination and creativity. SOME games might be able to do that on par with books but those are not the games kids of today are playing. Books in general ARE better than games for educating children and making them not self centered little brats.

SOURCE: Play cod for 30 mins. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE HE IS ADDRESSING.

 

[BanicRhys]

Proof that our nation could probably use better reading skills. The whole article took me maybe forty-five seconds.

Or it could be that people don't give a shit about what the president of a country they don't even live in, that is telling people to stop playing video games, a hobby I'm sure everyone on this site shares, has to say.

Like me for instance.

If you had better logical thinking skills then maybe you would have thought of that, but alas...

 

[Brandon237]

I love Obama, I love video games.
He makes a fair point though
I just hope he doesn't become anti games

Agreed, but he is insinuating that books are good, games are bad.

We know that every father has a personal responsibility to do right by their kids - to encourage them to turn off the video games and pick up a book

I Used to read absolute crap tonnes, now I still read a decent amount. It's just that game = 20-150 hours entertainment where as Book = 8-20 hours entertainment. And where I come from books are generally between a quarter the price to the same price as a game. Now considering I got mass effect 1 for around $8 (Well over 50 hours play-time), and most books at around $16... and Mass effect had almost as much reading and many more sub-plots than most books... that kinda makes the choice when I work on a limited budget (being 16 and not having a pocket money scheme, that is always) easier.

Only book that has ever given me over 8 hours is the thickest harry potter book.How many books do you know of that give that kind of length?

The Lord of The Rings trilogy I got as 1 book and that I read a bit slower to make sure I always understood what the hell was going on, and that was 998 small-text pages. So that was my 20 hour one, but yes, most books will never give over 8 hours (a few nice big books on my shelf are comparable to Harry Potter books a the end of the series.)

But yeah, books do NOT have good value for money

 

[TheKwertyeweyoppe]

Gotta love free will

 

[face_head_mouth]

Proof that our nation could probably use better reading skills. The whole article took me maybe forty-five seconds.

Or it could be that people don't give a shit about the president of a country they don't even live in, who is telling people to stop playing video games, a hobby I'm sure everyone on this site shares.

Like me for instance.

You're the one who cared enough to take the time to comment about someone you claim not to give a shit about, so it's probably in your best interest to know what you're actually commenting on. Unless you just came here to spout off.

 

[BiscuitTrouser]

I don't think I've ever heard an actual positive remark towards games from him. He may not be anti-games like say a certain disbarred Florida attorney is, but I don't think he sees them in a positive light, either.

However, he can see some upsides to gaming, too. Ten months ago he publicly applauded a scheme created to help US children forge a career in video games design.

This is why Obama wants you to do more READING. This is the last two lines of the article you apparently just read. Go figure.

 

[Optimystic]

He is telling KIDS to stop playing video games and read. Why are so many presumably grown people in this thread taking offense? Are you children mentally?

I mean, it couldn't hurt anyone to be honest to pick up a book, but he was specifically aiming his statement at parents.

 

[AlAaraaf74]

Obama shouldn't be telling kids what to do; parents should be telling their kids what to do. If a parent is alright with their son/daughter sitting in the house all day, then that's their decision.

 

[Jake the Snake]

As much as I love certain video games, books will always be infinitely more important to me. As a writer, they kind of have to be. I agree with Mr. Obama. You shouldn't let your life skew off into days upon days of gaming (I'm looking at you hardcore WoW players). Read a book, go for a run, play a little Skyrim, go on dates, see friends. That's all Mr. President is saying.

 

[SimpleJack]

He is probably too stupid to play Witcher 2 he got as a gift recently from the Polish prime minister.

Yeah kids, go read comic books instead.

If hes so stupid how'd he become the president then...?

 

[Puzzlenaut]

People who read very often play more videogames. Its the people who do neither that are the problem.

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

How about some physical activity as well? Considering the problem with obesity in the country I'm surprised he didn't say that instead.

Have to agree with the "go outside" sentiments, unless you live in a shitty neighbourhood, in which case...stay the fuck inside.

I don't get this.

As others have said, why not say "Turn off the game and go outside?" Video games are hardly worse than books are. I would say get the kids some exercise instead of replacing sitting down in front of a TV for more sitting down.

All this really says is that Video games are somehow worse than books are. And that's an outright lie. They're different, but certainly not worse.

I could understand if he said turn off the video games and go outside to play. But go read a book?

The moron...

It's not the first time Obama has discussed his nation's gaming habits. In 2009, he encouraged parents to get their kids to "step away from the video games and spend more time playing outside", whilst last year he raised concerns about gaming and technology "distracting" kids during their eduction.

However, he can see some upsides to gaming, too. Ten months ago he publicly applauded a scheme created to help US children forge a career in video games design.

Proof that our nation could probably use better reading skills. The whole article took me maybe forty-five seconds.

Given that your quoting me brought me back here, I'd very much like a proper explanation as to what the problem with my post is.

You know...so that I don't offend you by doing it again.