Recently while watching TV, a Watchmen commercial came on, leading me to become excited, waving my hands in the air like a schoolgirl. My sister, three years my junior, quickly changed the channel to TMZ, a celebrity-gossip show. I protested quickly and loudly, complaining that these people have no lives; anyone who dedicates themselves to finding every last detail about someone else isn't truly living.
She shot back with the comment that hardcore gamers, WoW players specifically, have less of a life, since they are obsessed with something that "doesn't even exist".
My question to you, Escapist population, is who living a worse life?
My argument is that celebrity fanatics aren't doing anything for themselves. They care so much about actors and singers that they fail to see what's around them. While gamers are generally not the most productive in terms of physical or mental labor, at least they can crank numbers like no other, have created (almost) a new language, and dedicate themselves to self-improvement, albeit virtual self-improvement. It's the thought that counts, though, and I think the elite of WoW are getting more out of life than any given teen who can rattle off facts about Britney Spears or whomever.
Yes, I will concede that gossip makes up only a percentage of one's character.
She shot back with the comment that hardcore gamers, WoW players specifically, have less of a life, since they are obsessed with something that "doesn't even exist".
My question to you, Escapist population, is who living a worse life?
My argument is that celebrity fanatics aren't doing anything for themselves. They care so much about actors and singers that they fail to see what's around them. While gamers are generally not the most productive in terms of physical or mental labor, at least they can crank numbers like no other, have created (almost) a new language, and dedicate themselves to self-improvement, albeit virtual self-improvement. It's the thought that counts, though, and I think the elite of WoW are getting more out of life than any given teen who can rattle off facts about Britney Spears or whomever.
Yes, I will concede that gossip makes up only a percentage of one's character.