Poll: Do games create socially awkward people, or just attract them?

[Ordinaryundone]

You get people in all walks of life with bad social skills. I can't count the number of times I've talked to people who literally can ONLY talk about sports, and are more than willing to come to blow over it. I also used to know a girl who was obsessed with politics, the environment. You know, the typical liberal agenda stuff. It was all she would talk about, and if we ever went and did anything it was probably based on that. Granted, she's mellowed out since high school, but still. And, of course, everyone knows that person who can rattle off every anime ever but can't even talk about the weather.

You just notice it more in gaming because its the hobby you are most associated with. Also, until recently the media has always made a point of portraying gamers as social recluses, which hasn't helped the public image.

 

[Hoplon]

*Gets some hot dogs ready for the Flames*

 

[badgersprite]

B. I was definitely at my most socially awkward when I wasn't playing a lot of games. I'm playing video games more than ever now, and I'm probably the most social I've ever been. It doesn't look like games were the issue. Actually, I specifically know what the issues were with me, but you don't want to hear about my boring high school experiences.

I think it's just that people who do have problems socializing, for whatever reason, are generally going to prefer spending time alone, and games and TV are a great comfort when you're shy and don't feel comfortable around large groups of people.

 

[xDHxD148L0]

Apparently my poll was not posted because it was reset when I messed up the captcha

Yeah, what is up with that lately? Does the escapist really get that much spam in order for them to have before you post them as often as they do?

 

[Kuroneko97]

Kind of both. Some people spend so much time on games they forget or never learn good social skills. And those people who aren't very social kind of find gaming as a way to communicate with others that share their interest.

I'm the ladder. I'm not really a social person, and so gaming, drawing, and computers are a way for me to enjoy myself. In fact, I have come to really love being alone. I don't have to conform to the rules of society if I'm in my own room. I can lie down on my bed, legs spread open, and as long as nobody walks in, nobody cares.

And that is a bit of take on the life of what the Japanese call a hikikomori. A person who shuts themselves in. I have never heard something that described me better.

 

[smithy_2045]

My experience says video games merely attract social misfits, rather than creates them.