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

[Eri]

Uh, how about everyone reading a book, pick up a game instead? There is nothing better about reading a book than a game.

 

[BoredDragon]

Fine, I will read a book. However, he didn't say it couldn't be one about D&D

 

[BanicRhys]

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

The moron...

 

[hyperdrachen]

Too much gaming is certainly something that can dull you and if you spend no time sharpening yourself physically and otherwise mentally It's easy to see where problems can come up. I as a parent would not let my kids just sit at the game console all day, especially not online shooters, which have to be about the most socially degenerate communities(broadly speaking) to grow up with. But I do get sick of this idea that reading a book is somehow an inherently better way to spend your time. If the material in question broadens your perspective of the world or makes you question some conventions you've just taken for granted, or simply gives you some pragmatic knowledge you lacked before I say yay. But if it was some half hearted psuedo researched schlock from some politician or TV pundit full of vague or obvious assertions about "how things are and oughta be" then I might go so far as to argue the month you spent reading that, would have been better spent sharpening your starcraft game.

 

[Ritalynn]

I don't enjoy reading, I do enjoy going outside vs videogames though.

 

[KedynCrow]

Everything in moderation, Obama. Read, play outside, and then perhaps some gaming?

It's like saying that cake is never good. Bullshit. Only when its consumed without a sense of moderation does it become harmful. I'll put down my video games every so often, sure. But not because a politician tells me to.

 

[Ickorus]

Looking through the article I actual agree with him to a point, kids do need to be going out more and reading more, sure games are great fun and can also help kids learn new things they otherwise might not but there is such thing as 'too much of a good thing'.

The problem im finding in society at the moment is that parents and governments are all too scared to let their kids outside to play, kids aren't allowed to climb trees anymore or go exploring in a forest, when I was a kid I used to love doing those things but now kid simply aren't allowed.

Just gonna mention about games stopping kids from concentrating on their school work quickly too, this isn't the fault of games, it's a failure of the current school system. They should be making school more fun because you're more likely to pay attention and learn more when the subject is actually fun.

 

[Spartan448]

The point is to have everything in BALANCE, Mr. President!

Say... Play CoD or Skyrim (when it comes out) for, say, 4 hours, then do some excercise, then read a novel at night.

 

[BiscuitTrouser]

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

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

The moron...

Id rather the average american spoiled child was just obese rather than obese and ignorant. What he is trying to say is games dont actually help your child become less of a self centered ignorant idiot. Sure some books dont do that either but reading about pretty much anything is proven to improve inteligence and if the book is worth its salt it teaches good lessons as well. Games are a beautiful art but i think hes targetting kids who play games because the objective is "THERE IS THE ENEMY! KILL THEY ASS!"

Okay. We stop buying games, the economy gets worse than it was, and the US gets screwed as a nation. Thank you, Mr. President.

Lets read a statement made to send the message "lets not let games run our kids lives, as a father take part in their child hood" and read it as a massive exhaggeration which he didnt mean at all or even say anything like! Thanks mr careful reader

Everything in moderation, Obama. Read, play outside, and then perhaps some gaming?

It's like saying that cake is never good. Bullshit. Only when its consumed without a sense of moderation does it become harmful. I'll put down my video games every so often, sure. But not because a politician tells me to.

He never said they werent ever good. This is aimed at hordes of cod kiddies that beocme spoiled obese and ignorant. This is a step in the right direction. Also you totally said "He's an idiot and its bullshit but i totally do what he just said people should do. But i wouldnt do it because he says so". Okey dokey then...

 

[Phoenix_XIII]

Okay. We stop buying games, the economy gets worse than it was, and the US gets screwed as a nation. Thank you, Mr. President.

 

[Darkong]

Since Obama has said this does that mean the republicans will suddenly become massively (and insanely) pro-videogames? Seeing as all they seem to do/support is the exact opposite of whatever he endorses, suggests or glances sideways at these days.

 

[EonEire]

Videogames are my Books, there are trashy ones, bad ones, good ones, pointless ones, infamous ones, famous ones, banned ones, girly ones, war ones, love ones, horror ones, ones that exist because of books, ones that books exist because of.

In short where I choose to get my stories is my business Barak, put down the book and play a worth while game.

 

[poleboy]

I think the real problem is he's too old.
That may sound silly, considering the fact that the average age of gamers is rising (and fast!), but consider this: Games as art/storytelling is a relatively new concept. Videogames may have been around when Obama was a kid and a young adult, but back then they were just mindless fun. Since I doubt the president of the USA (and former senator) has a lot of free time to spend on playing or learning about games, this is most likely the image he still retains of games: Fun, but ultimately just a waste of time.

Another example: My stepdad, who is over 70, got himself a PS2 some years ago (and later a PS3) and got really hooked on gaming. However, he only plays shooters, platformers and stuff that you might consider "classic gaming". He also reads a lot (as do I). However, unlike me, I don't think he will ever get the idea that games could be more than that. His image of what a video game is, is stuck 30 years in the past.

 

[Spartan448]

Looking through the article I actual agree with him to a point, kids do need to be going out more and reading more, sure games are great fun and can also help kids learn new things they otherwise might not but there is such thing as 'too much of a good thing'.

The problem im finding in society at the moment is that parents and governments are all too scared to let their kids outside to play, kids aren't allowed to climb trees anymore or go exploring in a forest, when I was a kid I used to love doing those things but now kid simply aren't allowed.

Two words: Boy Scouts. Then again, President Obama has already shown that he shows no support for the Boy Scouts by not actually showing up at the National Jamboree.

 

[standokan]

Books are awesome but still, times are a'changing deal with it Obama.

 

[Spookimitsu]

I agree with the people talking about great things that have been done with books, but thats mostly because we've had thousands of years where books were essentially the only narrative medium. I don't think that makes them inherently a higher form of art. They are a higher form of art because far greater works have been created using the written word, but this does not make books by their very nature, a better medium. Both games and books have the potential to make great works of art, games just haven't done it yet.

There's a weird obssession with books in the western world. Nobody ever says "you should put down that novel and pick up a picasso!" but that would be really good advice.

I see what you are saying about being fair to the different forms of media.... but
Books also enhance the vocab. It's reading. I have yet to have a video game work on me the same way. And if anything can be done to help the youth sound less moronic in conversation (written and spoken), then I am all for it.

ps - then they would say you should put down that Picasso and sing an epic poem, preferably in the heroic hexameter.

Well, I learned to read by playing the original Monkey Island, so while you've never had the experience, many others have and that number will only increase . And the thing is, a book will only enhance your vocabulary if it has advanced vocabulary in it. I mentioned in an earlier post that I'd only read books by celebutantes to spite Obama's preachiness. I would get nothing of any value from those books at all, they would do nothing for my vocabulary, and in the end, probably make me stupider.

I know reading is the most efficient way to increase vocabulary, I'm an ESL teacher. But this obssession with books as the seemingly only legitimate form of education and learning is a little outdated. Books are wonderful ways to learn, but in the west they are given an absurd amount of priority, and other forms of media are considered second class for some reason.

Not necessarily so, I've never had -your- experience. I didnt care for the original Monkey Island, and other point and click adventure games, including Leisure Suit Larry. I was constantly on punishment, so I wasn't allowed to play video games very much (freely), but I could still read my comics and novels. Make mine Marvel! I know lots of people who didnt learn from video games, but from reading comics. If you chose to read dumb books by 'celebutantes' to spite someone else then that would be your own problem, when there are myriads of great stories out there to choose from. But I aint here to tell ye what to do mon frer!

I would only think that [books] are given so much priority because they are always readily available in most communities at a public library. and plus if you you love to read, you can learn damn near anything, think about all of the resources to learn a craft or a trade that are in the library. Or maybe a new math, or another language. Or maybe a work of fiction and prose will inspire another writer. Sure you can pick up on words and such from a game, but I refuse to believe that games have taught as much as books have.

Plus picking up a book and reading empowers oneself, I'd wager. It's easy to pick up and play a game for leisure. And even harder to read a book when you know you have a game that you can use to distract you during your more idle moments.
You may call it an obsession with books, but I think it is justified. And you're the teacher. But I'm not going to discredit the differences in our past and upbringing to nullify an argument, I still won't be convinced that there needs to be more reading by the youth.

It would certainly help CoD PUG ingame conversations.

 

[cystemic]

This is a man who publicly announced his purchase of a Zune. I don't think I'm going to be inclined to follow any of his advice, which is great because I don't live in the USA. Shouldn't the president be dealing with serious issues the country is facing? I mean I don't pay attention to the news much but isn't America in a financial blackhole or something? Wouldn't buying expensive hardware and regular pieces of software be more financially beneficial than going to the library and borrowing a book? :/

 

[TheFPSisDead]

You should try playing a video game, Mr. President.


Would you kindly?