Is playing video games a waste of time?

Have you ever asked yourself 'What use is my habit of playing video games to anyone but myself?'

or 'How is playing video games going to help me meet my long-term goals, e.g. staying healthy, getting into a good school, finding a steady job,.. ?'

I know it's hypocitical of me to make this thread being a gamer and all, but this is a subject I've been thinking of lately. I'd like to hear what people think. (be honest, don't enter self-denial once your realize how much time you've wasted. I'm regretful too)

I think you asked a fair question. I'd hate to say that games are a good way of killing time; I'd rather say they are a good way of having fun in your spare time.

I'd also rather not see people using all their spare time on games, but as one way of rewarding yourself for all the hard work that you do.

Is being entertained a waste of time?

Is being entertained a waste of time?

Pixel-Perfect

as long as you enjoy it and don't neglect other stuff, then keep playing them

Yes. However I would like to say that playing videogames is one of the best ways to waste time.

I can think of more benefitial ways to entertain yourself.. like playing certain sports.. (no offense Wii players)

I can think of more benefitial ways to entertain yourself.. like playing certain sports.. (no offence Wii players)

Mikethechimp

It can help you later in life. If youa re a gamer, you could make games. Play good games, get ideas on how to make good games. So in some aspects, yes it is a waste of your time. But in others, no.

To be honest, sometimes I do feel that way. Especially when I'm really into a game and I realize that I spent a good portion of my day totally zoning into it.

When the laundry is piling up, I've got 4 phone messages that need calling back and my head starts to ache from the eye strain... Yeah, that's when it hits me I should probably take a little break. :P

It's important to know your limits, after all.

;)

To be honest, sometimes I do feel that way. Especially when I'm really into a game and I realize that I spent a good portion of my day totally zoning into it.

When the laundry is piling up, I've got 4 phone messages that need calling back and my head starts to ache from the eye strain... Yeah, that's when it hits me I should probably take a little break. :P

It's important to know your limits, after all.

;)

Teekal

Is being entertained a waste of time?

Pixel-Perfect

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsqJFIJ5lLs

Sitting in my room looking at a wall is a waste of time, chatting about things you don't care about is a waste of time, getting top10 is nevera waste of time.

I can think of more benefitial ways to entertain yourself.. like playing certain sports.. (no offence Wii players)

Mikethechimp

nobody can ever tell you if your wasting your time playin video games. I decide what amount of time of my life has been wasted playing games, which is none. How much time ive wasted on gaming forums however... :P

The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

Bertrand Russell

Have you ever asked yourself 'What use is my habit of playing video games to anyone but myself?'

or 'How is playing video games going to help me meet my long-term goals, e.g. staying healthy, getting into a good school, finding a steady job,.. ?'

I know it's hypocitical of me to make this thread being a gamer and all, but this is a subject I've been thinking of lately. I'd like to hear what people think. (be honest, don't enter self-denial once your realize how much time you've wasted. I'm regretful too)

Mikethechimp

YES!! A sweet, exhilarating, captivating, satisfying waste of time!! :D

It beats watching TV and filling your brain with trash. So no, I don't think it's a waste of time. As an aspiring game designer, playing games is beneficial.

Nothing is a waste of time if you have fun doing it (except maybe some things that cause harm to others xD).

Games are usually a bit of a timewaster it must be said, but if you think about it it's just as bad as most novels, although I suppose that does increase your english skills a bit.

Some games definitely are beneficial though I think, they make you stop and think more, use your brain, you know?

EDIT: and as the user above said, if it's fun, it's never a waste of time :D

Yeah but, what use is your playing sports to anyone else?

Mikethechimp

Didn't think you got my point.. things are beneficial if they help others OR help you on the long-term. Either is fine. But yeah you're mostly correct

Of course it is. That's the whole point. I don't buy and play video games, listen to music, or watch movies to further my career. I do them to relax. I could do a lot more worse things than video games, but I take them over most other things.

Sleeping is a waste of time. Watching TV is a waste of time. Taking the time to enjoy a delicious meal is a waste of time. (eat faster!) Reading anything not directly related to education or work is a waste of time. Cutting your hair is a waste of time, it just grows back. What use is anything you could ever do with any amount of leisure time to anyone but yourself? Why treat videogames as a special case? It's no more a regret inducing waste of time than taking a walk on a sunny afternoon, having a warm cup of coffee on the patio at 6am while listening to the birds chirping up a good morning, or tending to a garden of flowers. (what use are those pretty flowers in your yard to anyone but yourself man??? OH THE TRAGEDY OF THE WASTED TIME!!!!!111!!!1) A moment enjoyed, is not wasted.ViewtifulScott

Agreed....... Man I got freinds that can spend there whole day tinkering and upgrading@#%! with there car. And they tell me tinkering with my PC is a wast of time. it's all the same to me me. You like doing it then it is time well spent

I game because its one of my hobbies, as long as its not detrimental to your health or life than it shouldn't be a problem.

It's not a waste of time if you enjoy gaming, and besides, its not any more ofa time waster than watching a film or reading a book.

Yes, it's a waste of time, just like watching TV, going to the movies, and drinking in a bar. I don't play video games to be productive.

There is absolutely no doubt that playing video games is a waste of time, no matter how much you try to justify it.chrisPperson

I Don't think it's a waste of time aslong as your eating well,keeping fit and doing your home work it's fine you can keep in touch witth friends and is a great way to kill time also give you a chance to escape reality and imagine. It's cool :)BadLegend