I can't help but get into this heated argument over and over with others so I'll post my view for all to read.

Many people say gaming is, well, stupid,a giant problem, a waste of time, and a waste of money. They also think we're nerds, have no lives, and are doomed to a life of cave-dwelling.

I ask you this... How many times have you been pulled over for a DUI when playing video games? How many times have you been mugged in an alley while playing video games? How many times have you argued with family, experienced road-rage, blew useless amounts of money, ate something fattening, or tripped and fell down the stairs while playing video games? That's right, NEVER. Zero. None of that has happened while playing video games because you're at home, on the couch, safe, with your wallet in your pocket, quietly experiencing a calm you never knew was there.

Unless, of course, you're playing a Wii and broke your arm during it, but that's besides the point.

What people fail to realize is video gaming is the solution to many of the daily problems most people experience. That $2000 TV, $300 XBOX 360, and $500 worth of games is CHUMP CHANGE compared to the many thousands of dollars you would waste night after night of going out on the town and drinking alcohol, getting fat in restaurants, or paying in DUI fines and raised car insurance payments. Maybe in the early days of gaming two decades ago it was a pointless nerdy thing to do. The times have changed though. The world is more dangerous, the prices of things have inflated much more quickly than income has risen, and the opportunity to get screwed outside your front door is much larger.

And note to the parents.. Don't want your kids to do drugs? Buy them a large TV, an xbox live membership, and a comfy couch. They'll be at home, safe, engaged in thought-provoking video games instead of out on the town smoking weed with their surfer buddies. It's the truth, accept it. You can even call it the lesser of two evils but hey, it's your kid's health and safety we're talking about.

Some respond to this argument saying that although I'm correct, I fail to mention the other side of the argument which is social development. They claim a human must experience these traumatic events, social arguments and experiments, and outside life to fully development into a normal person. Sure, maybe if this were 1989. In today's world the quiet software engineers and computers programmers rake in the money, not the loudmouth car salesman or technical support guy. People who stay home and might not fully development their personalities won't be hampered at all in their future careers.

On that note, let's not deny how engaging XBOX live is. I've seen countless times in shooter games where young teenagers end up leading parties full of older folks and successfully commanding the entire team. And you're trying to tell me a stay-at-home gamer can't develop people skills?

And for the people out there who are sure the world is ending due to global warming and environmental destruction, remind them that every extra person that stays home is one less person out burning gas in their giant SUV. Its one less person sitting at the stoplight holding up traffic and blowing out carbon monoxide into the air we breathe.

Can I get tasteless and rude for a second? Thank you, then I will since you said to. Next time you see on the news thatsomeone died in a car wreck, or was raped, or was murdered and robbed, understand they could've been safe at home and that entire news broadcast you're watching wouldn't even be happening. Tasteless, I know, but factual.

So next time someone tells you to quit buying video games and go outside and do something then stand up for yourself. Remind them this isn't 1989, its 2009. Things have changed. People play games today like people went to the movies before. You're part of something large here, even if it is at home. You're saving money when you're home both by not spending money as well as by not racking up traffic tickets or getting mugged. You're also developing great teamwork skills when playing online shooters which you could never have developed by being at the local mall getting bullied by a security guard. Additionally, you're not eating Mcdonalds, instead you're making a healthy sandwich during your gaming break. Most importantly... You're safe on your couch. And they care about your safety don't they?

The argument should end there. If it doesn't, then you need to question if they really love you, and that's just the truth.