Obama: "Turn off the video games and pick up a book."
- Thread starter Saucycarpdog
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Videogames are the REASON I can read as good as i do now.Saucycardog said:
True story. I was in reading labs most of my grade school days. WAY behind the rest of my class. I hated reading.
I loved videogames. My Mom's idea? Nintendo Power! EGM!
Add in a budding intrest in comic books... and tada! About 2 years after my first Mags started coming in the mail, and my comic book collection started to grow, i tested out of the reading labs... and at or near the top of the class. Can't spell for bean though... but, eh, at least I can read good. And accually enjoy it. I've accually read a few novals, by CHOICE... so there, and it was all, well, nearly all thanks to videogames! (and some comics too. And one smart Mother. That always helps. ;-)
I read a lot of books, but I play far more games.
Thing is, I'd like to think I learned a hell of a lot from games.
Thing is, I'd like to think I learned a hell of a lot from games.
Im an avid gamer, I have been gaming since I was 2 years old and I am also an avid reader, been reading books since 6.
Problem?
But seriously, this generalisation annoys me, however this may be targeted at the American public, I dont know, I cant be arsed reading the article right now. All I know is that I spend all day gaming and all night gaming but when I lay down on my bed or sit on my couch, I pick up a book and read it, usually in one sitting. My mother always let me play games all day when I was a child because I loved reading anyway, so after playing my games (Usually something like Spyro or Medievil) I would go read fantasy novels or history books. I think kids need to be encouraged from a young age to read as a form of entertainment, and perhaps link it to their electronic hobbies. For example, my mother would always buy me walkthrough books and game magazines when I was little, because, hey, readings reading. Doesn't really matter what you read, as long as you feed the mind, it doesn't matter.
Problem?
But seriously, this generalisation annoys me, however this may be targeted at the American public, I dont know, I cant be arsed reading the article right now. All I know is that I spend all day gaming and all night gaming but when I lay down on my bed or sit on my couch, I pick up a book and read it, usually in one sitting. My mother always let me play games all day when I was a child because I loved reading anyway, so after playing my games (Usually something like Spyro or Medievil) I would go read fantasy novels or history books. I think kids need to be encouraged from a young age to read as a form of entertainment, and perhaps link it to their electronic hobbies. For example, my mother would always buy me walkthrough books and game magazines when I was little, because, hey, readings reading. Doesn't really matter what you read, as long as you feed the mind, it doesn't matter.
I do both, and I don't agree with this notion.
There are many books out there that virtually offer nothing to the reader, and there are many games that suck and offer nothing as well.
There are also many games that can offer enriching experiences from exploring to the story and to the characters like books can. Such as Bioshock, RDR, and DA:O.
IF you have a hobby, whether it is gaming or reading, and you are getting something out of it and enjoying it then continue. I can't wait until videogames will past this spectrum where they are bad for you and such.
EDIT: He should try reading into some certain law papers and such. Cause the bombings he is still doing in Libya without Congressional approval is illegal now.
There are many books out there that virtually offer nothing to the reader, and there are many games that suck and offer nothing as well.
There are also many games that can offer enriching experiences from exploring to the story and to the characters like books can. Such as Bioshock, RDR, and DA:O.
IF you have a hobby, whether it is gaming or reading, and you are getting something out of it and enjoying it then continue. I can't wait until videogames will past this spectrum where they are bad for you and such.
EDIT: He should try reading into some certain law papers and such. Cause the bombings he is still doing in Libya without Congressional approval is illegal now.
And books are somehow automatically superior to games because...?
Let me put it this way, if we're trying to go with the 'games rot your brain' arguement then I think you'll find that the problem has more to do with the choices people make within a medium rather than the medium itself.
Yeah, there are a lot of trashy games with little or no intellectual value (point in case, Call of Duty series) but by the same token there are probably just as many trashy books with nothing of value mentally (I'm looking at you Twilight), the main difference seems to be that the trashy, mindless games still manage to be fun whilst similar books tend to be inhumanely agonising (or unintentionally hilarious).
Let me put it this way, if we're trying to go with the 'games rot your brain' arguement then I think you'll find that the problem has more to do with the choices people make within a medium rather than the medium itself.
Yeah, there are a lot of trashy games with little or no intellectual value (point in case, Call of Duty series) but by the same token there are probably just as many trashy books with nothing of value mentally (I'm looking at you Twilight), the main difference seems to be that the trashy, mindless games still manage to be fun whilst similar books tend to be inhumanely agonising (or unintentionally hilarious).
No offence to the President, but... shut up Obama. I read and play video games and I'm not going to stop doing something that brings me enjoyment just because you tell me to.
Also, haven't you got more important things to be doing than telling kids to turn off their Playstations?
Also, haven't you got more important things to be doing than telling kids to turn off their Playstations?
I hate moral crusaders like this. Video games are an art and he needs to start accepting it. Some fathers enjoy playing said video games with their kids, Is he telling them to quit doing that? His argument is ridiculously idiotic and thoughtless. He needs to fix the corrupt tax problems that the rich are profiting over while not hiring Americans, and also do something about our crappy education, infrastructure and government. Quit worrying about what ordinary Americans do on fathers day and DO YOUR JOB MR. PRESIDENT!
That is the same way I learned reading, but I was 3 at that time. Enlish I've learned in a similair way, that was a bit later. Skills like reading and math can't be thought at school, they can be introduced there. But to truly make it their own children need to take those things home. Read for their own enjoyment and do some simple excercises. In that aspect I have to agree with Obama. Those skills are not very often thaught in games. But it could be.Flauros said:
Well the man does have a point, there is no shortage of people so very fascinated by the dumbest of game stories, one really hasto wonder when they last picked up a book.
Games cannot be your sole pass time activity, experience more of what this world has to offer.
Games cannot be your sole pass time activity, experience more of what this world has to offer.
HEY! Maybe when you do what you promised to do I will stop playing video games... even though I didnt promise to do that I would still consider it... Or y'know, if you were the political leader in my country.
Basically, you dont have the authority to tell me what to do BUT I would consider doing it IF you actually did and behaved as you promised you would.
Basically, you dont have the authority to tell me what to do BUT I would consider doing it IF you actually did and behaved as you promised you would.
Just what I thought. Also, which book? Which is worse for a kid, Duke Nukem, with it's immature sexuality, or Naked Lunch, which is legitimately obscene? How about Postal vs. Mein Kampf?CazGirl said:
While I will agree that the youth of today should be encouraged to read, I do not see why it should come at the expense of playing a game.
Both are viable forms of entertainment that I perosnally enjoy and both are things that take up large quantities of my time. Just because I play video games, it does not mean that I am also not a well read person who enjoys multiple forms of writing, from fictional stories to scientific or academic writing.
Both are viable forms of entertainment that I perosnally enjoy and both are things that take up large quantities of my time. Just because I play video games, it does not mean that I am also not a well read person who enjoys multiple forms of writing, from fictional stories to scientific or academic writing.