Are they addictive?

I don't play them and find them repulsive but I was watching the news and these little kids had a  bunch of sensors plugged into them.  Anyways they appear calm and focused but their hearts are just pounding.  The study is suggesting that they teach violence.

Anyways, I thought this was compelling because I have a neighbor downstairs...a grown 30 something man who plays video games until usually 2 and not uncommon to 4 even 5 am.  Then the guy gets up and starts playing again at 7:30-8 am...and I thought drumming was a waste of time!

Here's my two cents ........

I KNOW they are addictive because I've been there. Now, before you put me in the ranks of the teenager who eat and sleeps video games, let me clarify.

There was a season where I had several games on the computer in which I literally played day and night. I convinced myself that I was bored and nothing else to do ... so why not. If I didn't have a session or a gig, I was playing these computer/video games. I was consumed with trying to beat the game, and wanted to "finish" ... so it went on and on. Now I will say that once I completed the game ... I did walk away from it. The desire to continue playing it was gone as I had completed my task. For me, it may have been more about wanting to finish the job more than a real addiction, but nonetheless ... I couldn't stop playing. All of this was back before my son was born ... so his arrival put a stop to that anyway! LOL

I have a young teenaged relative who is addicted to video games in a REAL way. The guy doesn't want to work or do anything ... just play video games. Got a girl pregnant while in high school, got married, had the kid, still living at home with his parents ... playing video games all the while. He turns down work left and right, so it seems, and the only job he really likes ... yep, you guessed it ... working at the Video Game Store. Now he has a SECOND child, still living at home, and doesn't like any of the jobs he's tried or looked into. He's now at least 21 years old, just recently moved out of his parents house (for the second and final time ... we hope), and you guessed it ... will be working for minimum wage down at the Video Game Store this Christmas.

Now, I'm not out to bash my own relative, but want to discuss a real trend that I see in our society. Perhaps some of our younger members can help address this as well.

I don't think ALL video games prompt or encourage violence ... but many of them do! I can't believe that the show these ads for these games on TV. I'm sitting with my two-year-old, innocently watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer ... then what to my non-wondering eye does appear but some of the most violent commercials I've seen ... and for several video games. It's bad enough that I have to cover my son's eyes during the season of Halloween, because of all the scary movie trailers ... but Christmas too?! Talk about being slimmed. You never know when this stuff will pop up.

Now before you think I'm "old fashioned" or a prude, let me give you a little more info. My son IS very sensitive to violence of ANY sort. When I rebuke my dog, my son get's upset. If he sees someone get pushed, hit, anything physical that is clearly an aggressive act, he crys. He's very sympathetic to other's pain and suffering. You may think that he'll be a whimp, but frankly, I cherish the fact that he is the way he is. I see a kind, gentle, compassionate young man growing in my boy ... and I thank God every day that he has the temperment that he has. Now, to balance the scales, he has his issues ... which all kids go through. He's testing his independence by throwing things, even himself when he doesn't get his way or isn't happy with something. We are disciplining him for this, letting him know that it's okay to be angry, but it's not okay to hurt himself or others. This "monster" side only usually appears when he is very tired and should be napping or going to bed. 98% of the time ... he really is a prince, and I'm not just saying that because he's my son.

So why the long dissertation?  Well, I personally feel that kids come out of the womb one way; pure and innocent. The rest of their lives are molded and shaped by their surroundings and family life. Any addictions or iniquities that the parents (grandparents, etc.) have dealt with ... well, this is passed down ... and that is a FACT. The way the child is raised quickly sets the stage as to whether these "family traits" are enhanced and fed; or squelched and thwarted.

I got to see first hand how this "family trait" thing works. Having not seen or heard from my father in almost 25 years! This past summer, my father contacted me ... asked for forgiveness for abandoning me ... and we reconciled. My father and I were both amazed at how much we were alike ... even though he was not around much during my formative years, and totally out of my life since I was 15. We liked the same foods, had the same mannerisms, looked alike, sounded alike, etc. All the good things were there. But alas ... so were the bad things. The still small voice that resides inside me quickly pointed out that if the good things were passed down through the bloodline ... that it was only wisdom to realize that the bad stuff was too. I have had to deal with my own demons and sin, much of which I know my father has or is dealing with to this day; I knew that as a kid.

So back to video games! LOL  All of this does tie in, believe it or not. If your family has a history of violence or aggressive behavior, your surroundings and what you feed yourself (spirit, soul and body) will either enhance or undermine that behaviour (traits passed down in the blood).

I believe that as a society, we have been desensitized over the decades. Fifty years ago, what we now see on TV, would only be found in the shadows and hidden places. Nowadays, it's all out in the open. Everything may be permissable ... but is clearly not beneficial.

The whole Gen-X thing now seems to be "you owe me, where's my fair share, why can't I have it now, etc." Every generation has dealt with their own version of this attitude ... but now ... well, it's getting out of hand in my opinion.

All of this to say, video games are an escape from reality ... and for the young person, someone that is developing their mind, figuring out who they are in society (etc.) ... can be very unhealthy. We want to ban guns, but continue to place violent imagery in front of us? That seems a bit backasswards if you ask me. Again, fifty years ago, guns were practically in every home ... especially those in rural areas. Where were all the school shootings then? There's got to be some connection here. Not that video games necessary make people violent, but it certainly promotes and feeds our violent nature.

This can be a touchy subject, so let's be sure that we respect one another, and not let it get out of hand ... turning into a Political/Religious discussion. I tried my best to state my opinion without going there, and it's not easy ... but you can do it.

You know, it will be fun to play some video games with my son as he gets older. But believe me, the time spent playing these games will be closely monitored, or should I say limited ... and the quality/nature of the games played will be those the build up his character ... not undermine it. Even now, my two-year-old son figured his way around the computer ... now THAT is scary! LOL We take him to www.noggin.com to play some of the games there, and he's learned a lot ... like matching shapes, colors, etc.

What is your experience ... and what do you think?

Wow.  Interesting thread here.  We here around my house refer to video games as PLASTIC CRACK.
I'm guilty of spending obscene amounts of time in front of the with a controller in my hand - with friends, and by myself.  With friends, it can be a great time.  Bonding, comraderie, comepitition, and many other good things all come along with a good multiplayer shoot-em-up fest, or driving, or whatever.
Alone, it can be a drag.  But that's also where I've spent the obscene amounts of time doing it, alone.  Well, maybe my roommate's watching or something.  
However, I do have a job, I am in a band, and those take up more of my time than video games.  But you better believe, when I do have some free time, I'm either in front of this here computer, or I have a controller in my hand.  I haven't had cable in years and love it!  I recommend it to anyone.  I'll watch PBS occasionally and I have a DVD player.  What more could i need?  
I played video games growing up, but in extreme moderation.  I have my parents to thank for that, and the video game industry itself.  When I was young all the games were pretty harmless.  Atari 2600, colecovision, original nintendo, those were low on violence.  But like I said, my parents only let me play so much of them.  The older I got, the more I was able to play, but never have I "lived" them.  I think it's important to moderate.
I'd rather be drumming at home, but alas my housing does not allow it.  I have to go my bandmate's to play, and then it's usually rehearsal.

well i feel a rant coming on, better stop now....

Thrak

I haven't played video games for years.  I've been tempted to buy a playstation or something, but each time I realize that the time I was playing video games I could be:

1)  playing my drums
2)  writing (love to write)
3)  working on my website
4)  put more time in on my job

Each of these activities seem more productive than just sitting and entertaining yourself (rather intensely).  I certainly believe they can be addictive but I don't necessarily think they foster violence.  Like MindWarp said, I think that because of the violent culture in which we live, some way of getting rid of your violent feelings through a video game instead of taking them out on some living thing seems like a good thing.

I don't have kids, so I can't contribute to that end of the conversation.  I DO know, like Mr A. said, that I was working starting when I was 13, and that was a VERY good thing.  Gets your work ethic to where it has to be to be successful in life.

Great post, thoughts and interesting subject matter from everyone. I'm not a parent, but if and when that day comes, I'll be sure to stock pile the advice given here. :)Regarding video games.....I think the key word here is moderation and/or owner operator...hahaha.  

One thing that concerns me is where we're heading as a society and culture overall. The reality based t.v shows have stooped to an all-time low IMHO. I can't believe the things some people will do to themselves just to get a little money or attention. I don't know which part they like better.....the money or feeling famous? Probably both. The Osbournes and Anna Nicole show is IMO, the ephiphany of how numb, tolerant and indifferent we've become in America. To me, those shows represent  gluttony, decadence, and spirtual bankruptcy and the part that gets me the most is the media and networks call that entertainment? I'll admit there are some funny things on these programs but, for the most part their ridiculous. But that's the psyhce of American pop culture today IMO. In the end, it's all about the money, getting what's yours and being  harmlessly entertained or is it???

My favorite reality game is the one where you get on stage with your kit and put up with the loud guitars, showoff bassist who can't even spell music, and egotistical singers.  I have been doing it since 1965 and I am not addicted, YET  As for the video games, chosen correctly they help improve eye/hand coordination.  Chosen incorrectly, they could cause problems.

VERY interesting insights, Andrew! I've heard others say the same: that most young people today have no real "rite of passage" that transforms them from a child into an adult. The absence of such a rite (or trial) has left the landscape littered with young adults who have no idea what they stand for as individuals.

I for one think military service (or some form of civil service) should be mandatory, both to help provide that rite, and to open people's eyes to the privileges inherent in living in their countries. It's popular to talk about "rights" but we only have them because somebody stood up for themselves and others to win those rights. </end sermon>

Well, I had a "rite of passage" at thirteen with my Bar Mitzvah.  I don't know how much of a rite of passage that was.  A ceremony, and a big party.  That's mostly what I remember.

I think a more real "rite of passage" to me was the Marching Band program at my high school.  We had quite a good unit, with numerous accolades.  So the rehearsals and such were quite rigorous.  Not only did I learn immensely, I made strong friendships, developed great skill on percussion (pit and battery), and all the while never had time for any of  the "destructive" tendencies that many high school students fall into.   At the time I was probably nearly "addicted" to the adrenaline rush of performance, and for reward.  I wouldn't trade that time of my life for anything.  

I know that's way off topic, but the rite of passage discussion got me thinking.  OK, now back to Metroid Prime!

Thrak

I am twenty-two years old and I play video games.  I currently own an Xbox, Gamecube, Playstation, Nintendo, N64, and Super NES.  Not to mention a computer.
People sometimes ask me why I spend so much money on video games.  That is a very difficult question to answer.  I ask, why would someone spend $10,000 on a 27" Plasma screen TV?  $3,000 for a car speaker system?  Or $5,000 (give or take) for a set of Roland V-Drums?  It's all about entertainment.  Some people like to watch movies enough to buy that plasma screen.  Some people like to listen to loud bassy music.

As for being addictive, I think video games are as addictive as you let them be.  But there are MUCH worse things to be addicted to.  That's all I have to say about that.

As for the violence...some of my favorite games include the Mortal Kombat Series, Resident Evil, Splinter Cell, Fatal Frame,  and UnReal.  Some of these are considered to be the most violent video games in the industry.  You even say that these games match some of the movies in my DVD collection...Thirteen Ghosts, Night of the Living Dead, House on Haunted Hill (both versions), Mortal Kombat:  Annihilation, Stir of Echoes, etc.  Even with all of this violence, I have never, in my life attacked anyone.  I have never directed violence toward any person (even indirectly) in any way.

As anyone who has evre taken Psychology 101 will know, it all goes back to the eternal question of nature vs. nurture.  Are people predisposed toward violence, or is it learned through the environment?  I think it's in the environment.  If it's in the environment, then why haven't I participated in a school shooting?
Because I was lucky enough to be blessed my two of the most perfect parents in the world.  They explained to me from a very young age the difference between what's real and what's fantasy.  

I that I had a point at some time during this rant.

Video games do promote violence (in my opinion).  But no more than movies or tv or even some music.  
As for being addictive...hey parents, at least you kids aren't smoking crack...    

I just watched Fight Club last night (my g/f gave me the DVD for xmas), and that movie is about the current generation who has lost track, and doesnt know what to do.

I think most people in here have seen that movie, if not, definitly try to, it will probably make you think for a few days